Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 25, 2022

“The LORD is My Banner” – “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed” – “his banner over me is love.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 17:14-16.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”  Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner;  and he said, “The LORD has sworn;  the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.”  Exodus 17:14-16.

—————-

Specifically, the last two Scriptures in which we read about the Amalekites or Amalek are the following.   

“From them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men went to Mount Seir, with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders.  They destroyed the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.”  1 Chronicles 5:43.

“O God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
2 For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
3 They make shrewd plans against Your people,
And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,
That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
5 For they have conspired together with one mind;
Against You they make a covenant:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have become a help to the children of Lot. Selah.

…

“17 Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever,
And let them be humiliated and perish,
18 That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:1-8 and 17-18.

More generally, there are many Scriptures about the LORD saving His chosen ones from their enemies. I quote the following one because it mentions “in the name of our God we will set up our banners.”

“5 We will sing for joy over your victory,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen,
But we have risen and stood upright.
9 Save, O LORD;
May the King answer us in the day we call.” Psalm 20:5-9.

“He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.” Song of Solomon 2:4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 24, 2022

“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble” – “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, … in sound doctrine”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 17:8-13.

“Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.  So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek.  Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”  Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands were heavy.  Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it;  and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other.  Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.  So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  Exodus 17:8-13.

———————–

The highlighted part of today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on the importance of strengthening and supporting fellow believers in their faith.

“3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.
4 Say to those with anxious heart,
“Take courage, fear not.
Behold, your God will come with vengeance;
The recompense of God will come,
But He will save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4.

When people are alone in their own beliefs and fears, they are prone to be shaky and be subject to fall.  

But, when we teach Canons of Dordt, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, we provide support to them. So to speak, we provide a brace for them which enables the weak and shaky one to stand.  

“holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  Titus 1:9.

It can be compared to what Aaron and Hur did for Moses.  Moses’ hands were weakening and when he let his hand down, the enemy prevailed.  But, when Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands, the enemy was defeated and everyone benefited.  

“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”  Hebrews 12:12-13.

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 23, 2022

“tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. … That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 17:1-7.

“Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.  Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water that we may drink.”  And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me?  Why do you test the LORD?”  But the people thirsted there for water;  and they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”  So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “What shall I do to this people?  A little more and they will stone me.”  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel;  and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.  Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb;  and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”  And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.  He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”  Exodus 17:1-7.

—————–

We read of two recent and similar earlier miracles of the LORD.

When Israel went out into the wilderness of Shur, and they went three days in the wilderness, they likewise found no drinkable water.  “When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter;  therefore it was named Marah.  So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”  Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree;  and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet.”  Exodus 15:23-25. 

When Israel set out from Elim and came to the wilderness of Sin, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt, they found no food. “The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.  The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full;  for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;  and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.”  Exodus 16:1-4. 

Despite these two recent and similar miraculous experiences, in addition to the miracle of the LORD saving Israel by parting the Red Sea for Israel and allowing Israel to cross it on dry land and closing it behind them and drowning their enemies, the Egyptians, Israel tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”  

But, the LORD did another miracle and saved Israel again as we read in today’s Scripture.  

Psalm chapter 78 speaks of the LORD’S guidance and providence for Israel despite their unfaithfulness.  It goes into great detail and is too long to quote in the format of this short devotion.  But, I will quote the following exhortation to remember God’s wondrous works and to tell them to our children and others so that they will put their confidence in God and keep His commandments and be faithful to God.     

“4 We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers
That they should teach them to their children,
6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,
That they may arise and tell them to their children,
7 That they should put their confidence in God
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments,
8 And not be like their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not prepare its heart
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Psalm 78:4-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 22, 2022

“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:31-36.

“The house of Israel named it manna, and it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey.  Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded, ‘Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”  Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omerful of manna in it, and place it before the LORD to be kept throughout your generations.”  As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the Testimony, to be kept.  The sons of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land;  they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.  (Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.)”  Exodus 16:31-36.

————————-   

“24 He rained down manna upon them to eat
And gave them food from heaven.
25 Man did eat the bread of angels;
He sent them food in abundance.” Psalm 78:24-25.

“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.  He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.”  Deuteronomy 8:2-3. 

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today;  otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water;  He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.  In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’  But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  Deuteronomy 8:11-18.   

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night,
3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp,
With resounding music upon the lyre.
4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:1-4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 21, 2022

“LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:22-30.

“Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one.  When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, then he said to them, “This is what the LORD meant:  Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the LORD.  Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.”  So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it.  Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the LORD;  today you will not find it in the field.  Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”

It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions?  See, the LORD has given you the sabbath;  therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day.  Remain every man in his place;  let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”  So the people rested on the seventh day.”  Exodus 16:22-30.

—————–     

“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart;  and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light”.  Matthew 11:28-29.

What is a yoke?  According to Oxford American Dictionary, published in 1980 by Oxford University Press, a yoke is a “wooden crosspiece”.  It is a foundation for pulling or work.

After reading this definition of yoke, I thought of the cross. The cross is a wooden crosspiece that was fastened to Christ as a foundation for His work of carrying away our sins.  The yoke that Christ endured was the cross, but the yoke that Christ gives us is His Spirit.

The Pharisees lay law upon law on the people:  “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders;  but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

In sharp contrast, Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke:  “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.  Romans 8:4.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”  Hebrews 4:9-11.

“I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.” Psalm 57:2.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:10.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

“3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
4 “Trust in the LORD forever,
For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4.

“LORD, You will establish peace for us,
Since You have also performed for us all our works.” Isaiah 26:12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 19, 2022

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:19-21.

“Moses said to them, “Let no man leave any of it until morning.”  But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul;  and Moses was angry with them.  They gathered it morning by morning, every man as much as he should eat;  but when the sun grew hot, it would melt.”  Exodus 16:19-21.

——————–   

We see a similar principle in the observance of the Passover Lamb.

“And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire.”  Exodus 12:10. 

Jesus is our Bread of Life and our Passover Lamb.  We are led to meditate on how we eat the Lord’s Supper.  

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you;  do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood;  do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Consider that when we eat the bread given to us, we eat all of it.  We do not save any of it.  We do not leave any of it to eat it later.

And, when we drink the cup given to us, we drink all of it.  We do not save any of it.  We do not leave any of it to drink later.   

Thereby, we are reminded of two things.  First, we are reminded that we need all of what our Lord obtained for us through His sacrifice on the cross.  Second, we are reminded that by our Lord’s one offering of His body and His blood on the cross, He provided all that we needed.  Our Lord did not need to make sacrifices repeatedly.    

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:11-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 18, 2022

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:16-18.

“This is what the LORD has commanded, ‘Gather of it every man as much as he should eat;  you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of persons each of you has in his tent.’”  The sons of Israel did so, and some gathered much and some little.  When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack;  every man gathered as much as he should eat.”  Exodus 16:16-18.

—————–

The teaching of how to gather manna in today’s Scripture was used later in Scripture to teach how to give.  If you gathered much and have an abundance, then use it to become a supply for the needs of others.  If you gathered little, be thankful that you either at least have enough to supply your own needs or that someone else with an abundance will help supply your need.   

“For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—  at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;  as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”  2 Corinthians 8:13-15.

And, there is more help from God!

In the very next verse, we are taught that God puts such a spirit of earnestness in us to give as we should.

“But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.”  2 Corinthians 8:16.  

In the next chapter, we are further taught that God also puts a spirit of cheerfulness in us to give as we should.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:7.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

In summary, God gives us all the grace that we need to give as we should give.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”  2 Corinthians 9:8.  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 17, 2022

“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:13-15.

“So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.  When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.  When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?”  For they did not know what it was.  And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”  Exodus 16:13-15. 

—————–

“So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You?  What work do You perform?  Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness;  as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’”  Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”  John 6:30-33.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;  he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:35-37.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down out of heaven;  if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;  and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”  John 6:47-51.

“Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.  As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.  This is the bread which came down out of heaven;  not as the fathers ate and died;  he who eats this bread will live forever.”  John 6:47-58.

“Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”  But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?  What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life;  the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.”  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.  And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 6:60-65. 

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby. 

“As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.  So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?”  Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.”  John 6:66-68. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 16, 2022

“To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” – “why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 16:8-12.

“Moses said, “This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning;  for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him.  And what are we?  Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your grumblings.’”  It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.  And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel;  speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread;  and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”  Exodus 16:8-12.

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Today’s Scripture’s last highlighted phrase leads us to meditate on faith.  How do we know that the LORD is our God?

The Reformed confessions clearly and consistently answer that question.  Faith is a gift of God.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.  

Article 14.  Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure;  but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him;  or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, and actually believe in Christ;  but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

“Q. 21.  What is true faith?

A.  True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart;  that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession.

Article 22:  Of Faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him.  For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him.  …  And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby. 

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  …

Consider the following Scriptures.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”  Ephesians 1:3. 

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:1-3. 

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

“But there are some of you who do not believe.”  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.  And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  John 6:64-65.

“Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”  Matthew 13:11. 

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening;  and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”  Acts 16:14. 

“He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 16:15-17.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:10. 

If our faith is an act of our wisdom and our free-will, then as weak and sinful people whose will is often fleeting, our faith will fail.  When we get hungry or thirsty or have other trials like Israel did in the wilderness, we will grumble and doubt that the LORD is our God, and our faith will fail.   

But, if our faith is a gift of God, the Almighty LORD Who is all powerful and perfect and able and willing to preserve us His elect a/k/a His chosen people, then that gift of God will not fail.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints. 

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

The faith which is a gift of God is able to endure whatever we experience.  

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”  Philippians 1:29.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 15, 2022

“Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.” – “not forsaking our own assembling together” – “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 17:1-7.

“Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.  The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.  The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full;  for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.  On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”  So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt;  and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, for He hears your grumblings against the LORD;  and what are we, that you grumble against us?”  Exodus 17:1-7.

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“19 Then they spoke against God;
They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 “Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out,
And streams were overflowing;
Can He give bread also?
Will He provide meat for His people?”

21 Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath;
And a fire was kindled against Jacob
And anger also mounted against Israel,
22 Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.
23 Yet He commanded the clouds above
And opened the doors of heaven;
24 He rained down manna upon them to eat
And gave them food from heaven.” Psalm 78:19-24.

People may also grumble against us. Or, our children may grumble against us. But, we still do good to them.

“3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.
4 Say to those with anxious heart,
“Take courage, fear not.
Behold, your God will come with vengeance;
The recompense of God will come,
But He will save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:23-25.

“14 ‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares the LORD;
‘For I am a master to you,
And I will take you one from a city and two from a family,
And I will bring you to Zion.’

15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:14-15.

“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”  1 Peter 2:1-3.

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