Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 12:1-13.

“Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be the beginning of months for you;  it is to be the first month of the year to you.  Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.  Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them;  according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb.  Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old;  you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.  You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight.  Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.  They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails.  And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire.  Now you shall eat it in this manner:  with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand;  and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover.  For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast;  and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.  The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live;  and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 12:1-13.

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God did not save everyone.  God sent plagues against Egypt and made provision to save only His chosen people, Israel.  “For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.  The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live;  and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”  Verses 12-13.

Jesus is the Passover Lamb Who takes away the sins of God’s elect so that they do not experience the wrath of God.  Jesus redeemed (purchased) God’s elect with His blood through His sacrifice on the cross, so that God’s elect can praise God for His mercy.

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;  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.

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.” Romans 9:22-24.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 11:1-3.

“Now the LORD said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt;  after that he will let you go from here.  When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out from here completely.  Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.”  The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians.  Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”  Exodus 11:1-3.

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Consider how amazing and awesome miracle it was that the LORD gave the people of Israel and their leader Moses favor in the sight of the Egyptians.  In spite of all the plagues that were brought on them because of the people of Israel and their leader Moses, the Egyptians favored them to the extent that they freely gave them articles of silver and gold!

How great and good is God toward His people!!

“I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD,
According to all that the LORD has granted us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has granted them according to His compassion
And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.

Consider how the favor given to the following saints in Scripture helped them in their mission.

“But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” Genesis 39:21.

“For how then can it be known that I (Moses) have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:13.

“Then she (Ruth) fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.” Ruth 2:10-13.

“Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26.

“So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.” 1 Samuel 18:5.

“Now the young lady (Ester) pleased him (King Ahasuerus) and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. … The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” Esther 2:9 and 17.

“Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,” Daniel 1:9.

In summary, our LORD, Who prepared the good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) and Who gave us the will to do those good works and Who worked within us to accomplish those good works (Philippians 2:13) and Who perfected those good works that He began in us (Philippians 1:6), will He not also give us favor in the sight of others to help accomplish those good works?!  

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

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 10:3-11.

“Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?  Let My people go, that they may serve Me.  For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.  They shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land.  They will also eat the rest of what has escaped—what is left to you from the hail—and they will eat every tree which sprouts for you out of the field.  Then your houses shall be filled and the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians, something which neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day that they came upon the earth until this day.’”  And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.  Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us?  Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God.  Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed?”  So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the LORD your God!  Who are the ones that are going?”  Moses said, “We shall go with our young and our old;  with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we shall go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”  Then he said to them, “Thus may the LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go!  Take heed, for evil is in your mind.  Not so!  Go now, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desire.”  So they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.”  Exodus 10:3-11.

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Moses requested from Pharaoh that everyone be allowed to go to the feast to the LORD.  “Moses said, “We shall go with our young and our old;  with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we shall go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”  Verse 9.

But, Pharaoh only gave permission to allow the men to go, and Moses and Aaron were driven out of his presence. 

Today’s Scripture reminds us that God commands all, both old and young, to worship him.

“12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
Praise for all His godly ones;
Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!” Psalm 148:12-14.

“And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you.”  Deuteronomy 12:12.

“And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them;  but the disciples rebuked them.  But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me;  do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”  Mark 10:13-16.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 10:1-2.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.”  Exodus 10:1-2.

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“23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-31.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  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 2:4-9.

“15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.
16 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.

17 O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
19 For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You?” Psalm 71:15-19.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 9:22-26.

“Now the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.”  Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth.  And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt.  So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.  The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast;  the hail also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field.  Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.”  Exodus 9:22-26.

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Through the plagues sent by the LORD, we continue to see the sharp distinction that the LORD made between His people and the Egyptians.  “The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast;  the hail also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field.  Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.”  Verses 25-26.

As additional examples of the sharp distinction that the LORD made between His people and the Egyptians, consider also the following verses.

“But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land.  I will put a division between My people and your people.  …”  Exodus 8:22-23. 

“But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”’”  Exodus 9:4.

“But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’”  Exodus 11:7.

More generally, these and other Scriptures give us hope of God’s special protection for His people.

“5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.” Psalm 91:5-10.

“5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 121:5-8.

“20 Come, my people, enter into your rooms
And close your doors behind you;
Hide for a little while
Until indignation runs its course.
21 For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place
To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
And the earth will reveal her bloodshed
And will no longer cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20-21.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 9:18-21.

“Behold, about this time tomorrow, I will send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.  Now therefore send, bring your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety.  Every man and beast that is found in the field and is not brought home, when the hail comes down on them, will die.”’”  The one among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses;  but he who paid no regard to the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.    Exodus 9:18-21.

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“… “But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2.

Like “The one among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD” and “made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses”, and whom we can presume saved himself, his family, his servants, and his livestock according to the word of the LORD, even though many may consider them outside the the circle of God’s people, they can fear the word of the LORD and take action in trust of it.

“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.

They can also pray.  They can also attend church.  They can also seek and use whatever other means of grace are available to them.   

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination. 

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire;  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  …  

“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he (Christ) send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”  Matthew 12:20-21.  King James Version.