Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 13, 2022

“for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.  It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.  They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.”  And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.  They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.  The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language.  And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.  Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”  So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth;  and they stopped building the city.  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth;  and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  Genesis 11:1-9.

—————–

Certainly, the LORD’s action of confusing their language and scattering them assisted His purpose that Noah and his sons populate and fill the earth as He commanded in Genesis 9:1 and Genesis 9:7.

But, God expressly stated the purpose of confusing their language in verses 6 and 7 as highlighted in bold italic font above.  We may still wonder why it is such a bad thing that “nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them”.    

Where is the harm in building a tall tower and living together and working together and doing greater and greater things?

Likewise, we may be puzzled by the following Scripture.  “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil;  and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” — therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.  So He drove the man out;  and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”  Genesis 3:22-24.

Where is the harm in taking from the tree of life and living forever?

In both situations, the LORD does not want nor allow man to be able to boast about his works.  The LORD does not want nor allow man to be able to boast about his wisdom and alleged free-will even in such a small work as taking from the tree of life.

Consider the following Scriptures.

“10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Psalm 33:10-11.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:19-21.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“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.

The LORD did not want nor allow man to be able to boast about their city of Babel.  The LORD’s purpose is that His righteous ones live by faith.  

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;  and he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:8-10.   

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 12, 2022

“I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis chapter 10.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+10&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses to give the reader some idea of how many names were mentioned in the 32 verses of the chapter.

“Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.  3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah.  4 The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim.  5 From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

…

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations;  and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.”  Genesis 10:1-5 and 32.

—————–

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”  Genesis 9:1.

“As for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Genesis 9:7.

Today’s Scripture shows a good start and partial fulfillment to God’s blessing and command to Noah and his sons.  

As we try to do in Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions, when we see one work of God, we eagerly meditate upon what similar work, maybe even a greater work, that God may do in the future.

“Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.  God said to him,

“Your name is Jacob;
You shall no longer be called Jacob,
But Israel shall be your name.”

Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him,

“I am God Almighty;
Be fruitful and multiply;
A nation and a company of nations shall come from you,
And kings shall come forth from you.
“The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac,
I will give it to you,
And I will give the land to your descendants after you.” Genesis 35:9-12.

“3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5.

“All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.” Isaiah 54:13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 11, 2022

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:19-29.

“Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard.  He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.  Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.  But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.  When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.  So he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants
He shall be to his brothers.”

He also said,

“Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.
“May God enlarge Japheth,
And let him dwell in the tents of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.”

Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.  So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”  Genesis 9:19-29.

——————

Consider that of all the stories about Noah, whom God called a righteous man, that God could have told about Noah and his actions in the three hundred and fifty years after the flood, God chose this one.  So, let us sit up straight, meditate on today’s Scripture, and learn the lesson.  

We are not commanded to only honor our parents if they do things that we think are wise in our own eyes.  

Many times our parents will do things that we think are not wise in our own eyes, but are in fact wise things to do.

But, there are also times as shown in today’s Scripture when our parents will do things that are in fact not wise.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.

Noah was not wise in getting drunk, but today’s Scripture teaches that we as children still have the duty to honor our parents.  Shem and Japeth honored their father Noah, even though Noah was drunk, by covering Noah’s nakedness and not looking on his nakedness, and Noah blessed them.  Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside, and Noah cursed Canaan. 

 But, even more important than Noah’s knowledge of what each of his children had done and his blessing or curse of each one, God sees everything, even our secrets hidden in the deepest part of our hearts, and God will reward or punish us.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of how God will reward us or punish us in how we treat our parents.  I present only two examples.

In the Old Testament, it is shocking, but we see that God called for the death of children who “only” cursed their parents.  Although that law is certainly not applicable today, it shows how strongly God views our duty to honor our parents. “He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 21:17. “If there is anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put to death;  he has cursed his father or his mother, his bloodguiltiness is upon him.”  Leviticus 20:9. 

In the New Testament, we see the general and applicable law, even one of the Ten Commandments.  “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”  Ephesians 6:2.   

The world may belittle and make fun of our parents.  As one example, we see the Progressive Insurance TV marketing campaign with so many commercials of a man teaching others to not be like their parents. 

But, God takes very seriously the duty of children to honor their parents even making it one of the Ten Commandments.  

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”  Exodus 20:12.

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”  Deuteronomy 5:16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 10, 2022

“But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:8-17.

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;  and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you;  of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.  I establish My covenant with you;  and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”  God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;  I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.  It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;  and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.  When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”  And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”   Genesis 9:8-17.

—————–

We love the beauty and meaning of rainbows, that “bow in the cloud” which is God’s sign of the covenant with Noah and His descendants and every living creature that He never destroy the earth again with a flood.  But, we may not be aware that through rainbows, God is also revealing some of His glory.

“As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance.  Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.  …”  Ezekiel 1:28. 

“And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance;  and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”  Revelation 4:3.

“I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud;  and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire;”  Revelation 10:1. 

And, we know that there were other covenants in Scripture.  But, we may not be aware of the covenant that Scripture introduced through reference of the rainbow covenant in today’s Scripture. 

“9 “For this is like the days of Noah to Me,
When I swore that the waters of Noah
Would not flood the earth again;
So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
Nor will I rebuke you.
10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”
Says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:9-10.

The blessing of the covenant continues in a new paragraph, but before I continue with the quote, I want to point out that the blessing of God’s protection is figuratively described below as precious stones, which we can infer have the colors of the rainbow.  How wonderful that God made His protection so to speak, as hard as diamonds and as beautiful as a rainbow!  

“11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
12 “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.” Isaiah 54:11-12.

The blessings of the covenant continues, but before I continue with the rest of the quote, I want to make both a general point and specific point.  Generally, other doctrine views covenants as a mutual agreement between God and man such as if man does his part, then God will do His part.  But, Reformed Doctrine views covenants as God’s promises to His elect.  Specifically, there are those who teach that the instruction and well-being of their children is dependent on man and they wring their hands as to how few hours a week their children receive Christian teaching.  Although few churches emphasize Christian schools and catechisms like Reformed churches, Reformed Doctrine focuses on and trusts God’s promises.

“13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.
14 “In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you.
15 “If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me.
Whoever assails you will fall because of you.
16 “Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals
And brings out a weapon for its work;
And I have created the destroyer to ruin.
17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:13-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 9, 2022

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. … For in the image of God He made man.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:1-7.

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. 3 Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. 4 Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.

6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.
7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Genesis 9:1-7.

—————–

God sent out Noah, his sons, and his daughter-in-laws out of the ark onto the earth that He had flooded and had blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, except Noah and those that were with him in the ark.  

But, as today’s Scripture shows, God did not send them out without His blessing, empty-handed. Today’s Scripture shows God’s protection, God’s provision for sustenance, and God’s purpose that He gave them.    

God sent them out with His protection as we can see in verses 2, 5, and 6.

God sent them out with His provision for sustenance in verse 3.

God sent them out with His purpose.  

“… For in the image of God
He made man.
7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Verses 6-7.

We too can expect God’s protection, God’s provision for sustenance, and God’s purpose, and we should eagerly seek, meditate, and pray for these elements.  We can also see these elements in the Lord’s Prayer which can help us to do so.

“9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] Matthew 6:9-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 7, 2022

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God” – “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 8:13-22.

“Now it came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the water was dried up from the earth.  Then Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground was dried up.  In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.  Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.  Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”  So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him.  Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark.

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  The LORD smelled the soothing aroma;  and the LORD said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth;  and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.

“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.” Genesis 8:13-22.

—————-

God led Noah and his family and all the animals and all the other things out of the ark and onto the earth, family by family, commanding them:  “be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 

What a joyful procession that must have been!    

“The LORD smelled the soothing aroma”. 

But, we should not think that the soothing aroma came from man who probably stunk after being cooped up in the ark with all the animals for so many days.  Nor, should we think that the LORD suddenly changed His view of man, for He says:  “the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth”.

The LORD smelled the soothing aroma from the sacrifice, the burnt offerings on the altar.  

So to speak, when the LORD considers us, He smells the soothing aroma of Christ from those in Christ, His elect, and He likewise leads us out into the world in triumph.  

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  And who is adequate for these things?  For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”  2 Corinthians 2:15-17.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”  2 Corinthians 2:14. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 6, 2022

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 8:1-12.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+8&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark;  and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided.  Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained;  and the water receded steadily from the earth, and at the end of one hundred and fifty days the water decreased.  In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat.  The water decreased steadily until the tenth month;  in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains became visible.”  Genesis 8:1-5. 

—————–

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the time when Jesus was with His disciples in a boat on the sea.

“And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion;  and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.”  And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, “Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?””  Mark 4:37-41.

When we consider God’s sovereignty, reversing and calming even a world-wide flood to care for Noah and his family, we have faith that God will also calm whatever fierce storm and fearful heart that we encounter in our life.    

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:20-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 5, 2022

“Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, … and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 7:17-24.

“Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.  The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.  The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered.  The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered.  All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind;  of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died.  Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth;  and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark.  The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.”  Genesis 7:17-24.

—————–

“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away;  so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”  Matthew 24:38-39.

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.  But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason you also must be ready;  for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”  Matthew 24:42-44.

“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  2 Peter 3:3-7.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,  because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:10-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 4, 2022

“You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 7:6-16.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+7&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds.  So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life.  Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him;  and the LORD closed it behind him.”  Genesis 7:13-16. 

————-

We meditate on the significance of the phrase:  “and the LORD closed it behind him.”

This phrase speaks of both of the sovereignty of the LORD and the tender care of the LORD.  

We may think that we go forth boldly and obey God, but God is before us having prepared our good work.  “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 2:13.  “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. 

We may think that we smartly and safely arrive, but God is behind us having enclosed us safely.    

As stated by the following Scripture:  “You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.”  “If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” Psalm 139:1-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 3, 2022

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” – “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us … righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 7:1-5.

“Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.  You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female;  and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female;  also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth.  For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights;  and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.”  Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him.”  Genesis 7:1-5.

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In verse 1, highlighted above in bold italic font, the LORD is also making the important general point that only the righteous will enter salvation.

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:20.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived;  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  Matthew 25:46.

But, there is hope!

“Such were some of you;  but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11.   

“For as through the one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (Christ) the many will be made righteous.  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase;  but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 5:19-21. 

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  for there is no distinction;  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”  Romans 3:21-23.  

“19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
The righteous will enter through it.
21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.” Psalm 118:19-21.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31. 

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