Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:14-28.

“Now after Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them and burned incense to them.  Then the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?” As he was talking with him, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you a royal counselor?  Stop!  Why should you be struck down?”  Then the prophet stopped and said, “I know that God has planned to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, the king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.”  Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’  But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.  You said, ‘Behold, you have defeated Edom.’  And your heart has become proud in boasting.  Now stay at home;  for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall and Judah with you?”

But Amaziah would not listen, for it was from God, that He might deliver them into the hand of Joash because they had sought the gods of Edom.  So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belonged to Judah.  Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent.  Then Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits.  He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

And Amaziah, the son of Joash king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.  Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, behold, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?  From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD they conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish;  but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.  Then they brought him on horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.”  2 Chronicles 25:14-28.

———

Amaziah committed idolatry which can be most plainly understood by bringing home the gods of the sons of Seir and setting them up as his gods, bowing down before them, and burning incense to them. 

But, Amaziah also committed idolatry by becoming proud in himself to the extent that he provoked trouble by picking a fight with Israel.  

In summary, Amaziah turned away from following the LORD.  And, we see how the LORD punished him.

We should not lightly dismiss this Scripture.  Rather, we should take care that we do not act like Amaziah.  

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:11-12.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 95.  What is idolatry?

A.  Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God, who has manifested himself in his word, to contrive, or have any other object, in which men place their trust.  Eph.5:5;  1 Chron.16:26;  Philip.3:19;  Gal.4:8;  Eph.2:12;  1 John 2:23;  2 John 1:9;  John 5:23.

Idols can be more than just silver and gold or other material objects made by man.  Idols can include ourselves or others whom we trust instead of God.

“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 17:5-6.

“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.” 1 Chronicles 16:25-26.

“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”  Ephesians 5:5.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them;  for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Exodus 20:4-5.

“You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him;  and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”  Deuteronomy 13:4. 

But, there is hope!

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;  and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”  1 Corinthians 10:13-14. 

“7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8.

“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. 

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:5-13.

“Moreover, Amaziah assembled Judah and appointed them according to their fathers’ households under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds throughout Judah and Benjamin;  and he took a census of those from twenty years old and upward and found them to be 300,000 choice men, able to go to war and handle spear and shield.  He hired also 100,000 valiant warriors out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.  But a man of God came to him saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel nor with any of the sons of Ephraim.  But if you do go, do it, be strong for the battle;  yet God will bring you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to bring down.”  Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”  And the man of God answered, “The LORD has much more to give you than this.”  Then Amaziah dismissed them, the troops which came to him from Ephraim, to go home;  so their anger burned against Judah and they returned home in fierce anger.

Now Amaziah strengthened himself and led his people forth, and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 of the sons of Seir.  The sons of Judah also captured 10,000 alive and brought them to the top of the cliff and threw them down from the top of the cliff, so that they were all dashed to pieces.  But the troops whom Amaziah sent back from going with him to battle, raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and struck down 3,000 of them and plundered much spoil.”  2 Chronicles 25:5-13.

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We may have questions.  But, we do not need to speculate.  Let us use two quotes from the man of God that we understand, that is supported by Scripture, and that we can use.  

First, let us meditate on “God has power to help and to bring down.”  God is sovereign and rules over all.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

“‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,” Jeremiah 32:17.

“6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 “The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
8 “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them.
9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
10 “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.” 1 Samuel 2:6-10.

Second, let us meditate on “The LORD has much more to give you than this.”  We may be fearful of obeying the LORD, thinking that if we do so, we will not have resources to do what we need to do.  But, the LORD has all the resources that we need.

“… For the world is Mine, and all it contains.” Psalm 50:12.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32. 

“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 8:16-18.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34.

“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  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;  as it is written,

“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:1-4.

“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.  He did right in the sight of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.  Now it came about as soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, that he killed his servants who had slain his father the king.  However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin.”  2 Chronicles 25:1-4.

———–     

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 4.  What does the law of God require of us?

A.  Christ teaches us that briefly, Matt. 22:37-40, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great commandment; and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Deut.6:5; Lev.19:18; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27.

Q. 5.  Canst thou keep all these things perfectly?

A.  In no wise;  (a) for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbour. (b)

(a) Rom.3:10,20,23; 1 John 1:8,10. (b) Rom.8:7; Eph.2:3; Tit.3:3; Gen.6:5; Gen.8:21; Jer.17:9; Rom.7:23.

But, there is hope!

“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. 

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 3:4-7.

“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. 

“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.

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:13-15.

“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. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 24.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2024&version=NASB1995

Due to the length and importance of this devotion, I currently do not intend on posting another devotion until next Monday in my hope that the extra time will lead the reader to meditate on this subject matter before turning attention to the next devotion which, God willing, will be posted next Monday, July 21, 2025. 

I quote only the following verses.

“Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba.  Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.   …

Now it came about after this that Joash decided to restore the house of the LORD.  …

…  When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada;  and it was made into utensils for the house of the LORD, utensils for the service and the burnt offering, and pans and utensils of gold and silver.  And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

Now when Jehoiada reached a ripe old age he died;  he was one hundred and thirty years old at his death.  They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done well in Israel and to God and His house.

But after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them.  They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols;  so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt.  Yet He sent prophets to them to bring them back to the LORD;  though they testified against them, they would not listen.

Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest;  and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper?  Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.’”  So they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD.  Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had shown him, but he murdered his son.  And as he died he said, “May the LORD see and avenge!”

Now it happened at the turn of the year that the army of the Arameans came up against him;  and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, destroyed all the officials of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.  Indeed the army of the Arameans came with a small number of men;  yet the LORD delivered a very great army into their hands, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.  Thus they executed judgment on Joash.

When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and murdered him on his bed.  So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.”  2 Chronicles 24:1-2 and 4 and 14-25.

——–

Today’s Scripture teaches us the danger of basing our unity and faith in only one man.  The pastor may be good like Jehoiada the priest.  But, what happens when the pastor dies or moves somewhere else?

Singular Pastor or Singular Doctrine in a Creed?

I use the term “singular pastor” to refer to a pastor who stands alone without any creed or any denomination supporting him.  

Every pastor claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  A singular pastor does not get a pass from being judged by Scripture just because he claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  

Many churches also hide the name of the denomination to which they belong or their doctrine by simply calling themselves a “fellowship” or “community church” They prefer to show young beautiful happy people on their website rather than show their doctrine.

But, doctrine is simply teachings. Therefore, doctrine cannot be avoided unless a preacher or teacher just quotes Scripture without making any summary or other comment which just does not happen.

So, doctrine can not be avoided. We can only have false doctrine or true doctrine.

True doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture. False doctrine does not accurately summarize Scripture. True creeds present true doctrine.

In fact, one should be even more careful about the sermon of a singular pastor who claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  By making such a claim, he often portrays doctrine as unnecessary, divisive, or worse in order to avoid close comparison of his sermon to what Scripture and creeds do teach.  There is no protection of his sermon fitting within the truth of well-accepted doctrine through creeds that have been taught by many pastors and by many churches and by many denominations throughout history.  

The singular pastor stands alone by shunning doctrine and creeds and denominations.  That Pastor could also more easily lead his sheep astray when there is no oversight by creeds or by a denomination.

And, even if the church does have a creed, how often does the singular Pastor refer to it?!

And, even if the Pastor is good, that Pastor could die or move to a new church.  

Danger of Only Following a Singular Pastor

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:11. 

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”  Matthew 7:15-16.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another;  only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”  Galatians 1:6-7. 

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3-4. 

Scripture emphasizes the importance of truth.

“‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24.

Not any kind of worship is sufficient, but worship in truth is needed.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:1-3.

Not any kind of zeal is sufficient, but zeal “in accordance with knowledge”, or in other words, in accordance with truth, is needed.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”. 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

Not any kind of love is sufficient, but “the love of truth” is needed to be saved.

A Plea for Creeds

Rev. Ronald Hanko, a minister of the Protestant Reformed Churches, in his article “A Plea for Creeds”, states the importance of doctrine and creeds.

Here is a brief quote from the article explaining what happens when a denomination or church dismisses or minimizes the importance of doctrine:  ” …  by cutting herself off from the church of past, the church today says in effect that every generation must start all over in its searching of the Scriptures and pursuit of the truth.  Thus she sets herself an impossible task – a task that is either set aside as too great so that there is little knowledge of the truth in the church, or which leaves her no time for other things.”

‘This is well-stated by the Presbyterian author, G.I. Williamson:

“The Bible contains a great wealth of information.  It isn’t easy to master it all – in fact, no one has ever mastered it completely.  It would therefore be foolish for us to try to do it on our own, starting from scratch.  We would be ignoring all the study of the Word of God that other people have done down through the centuries.  That is exactly why we have creeds.  They are the product of many centuries of Bible study by a great company of believers.  They are a kind of spiritual “road map” of the teaching of the Bible, already worked out and proved by others before us.  

He adds:

And right here we see one of the most important things about a creed that is true to the Bible – it remains true down through the ages.  It does not need to be changed again and again, with each generation, because it deals with things that are unchanging.  Thus, an accurate creed binds the generations together.  It reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is not confined to one age, just as it is not confined to any one place.  In other words, there is a unity in what Christians have believed, right down through the ages.  Just think of it:  when we confess our faith together . . . we join with all those believers who have gone before us.  Does not this demonstrate that there is indeed just one Lord and one true faith?” 

Conclusion and Summary of Reformed Creeds by Bill Hornbeck

The Reformed creeds used by Reformed churches are Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, and Heidelberg Catechism which the Protestant Reformed Churches denomination labels collectively as the “Three Forms of Unity”, which is a good name consistent with the purpose of unity of creeds. In other words, the people of the Protestant Reformed Churches do not base their unity in a singular pastor, but rather, the people of the Protestant Reformed Churches base their unity on those three Reformed creeds.

The creed used by Presbyterian churches is the Westminster Larger Confession.

Creeds are not on the same infallible level as Scripture.  But, they are good and helpful summaries of Scripture.  The creeds needs to be judged by Scripture.  But, so does every sermon of every pastor need to be judged by Scripture. As stated above, a singular pastor does not get a pass from judgment by Scripture just because he claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.

With both sermons and even creeds, the reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

These creeds are all organized and easily readable. You can find them in the right margin under “Links”.

In conclusion, our unity should include the Canons of Dordt, because it focuses on the specific and most important subject of salvation which is the distinctive heart of Reformed Doctrine. The Canons of Dordt is the creed which provides the best summary of the truth of salvation a/k/a the Gospel from Scripture.  The Canons of Dordt best unites believers in truth:  “just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith”.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

“He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:12.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:24.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 23:12-21.

“When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into the house of the LORD to the people. She looked, and behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters were beside the king.  And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets, the singers with their musical instruments leading the praise.  Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, “Treason!  Treason!”  Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks;  and whoever follows her, put to death with the sword.”  For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”  So they seized her, and when she arrived at the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king’s house, they put her to death there.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the LORD’S people.  And all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down, and they broke in pieces his altars and his images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.  Moreover, Jehoiada placed the offices of the house of the LORD under the authority of the Levitical priests, whom David had assigned over the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses—with rejoicing and singing according to the order of David.  He stationed the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD, so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean.  He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the LORD, and came through the upper gate to the king’s house.  And they placed the king upon the royal throne.  So all of the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet.  For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword.”  2 Chronicles 23:12-21.  

—————

“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:12-13.

“113 I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
115 Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.” Psalm 119:113-120.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10.

“The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:11.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 23:1-11.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2023&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took captains of hundreds:  Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Johanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, and they entered into a covenant with him.  They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.  Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God.  And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David.  …”

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded.  And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of the divisions.  Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God.  He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king.  Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony and made him king.  And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “Long live the king!”  2 Chronicles 23:1-3 and 8-11.

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Here is a quote from “what the the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David.”

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.  …  Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever;  your throne shall be established forever.”’”  2 Samuel 7:12 and 16.

The hope in “what the the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David” and today’s Scripture is Christ.

“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 22:1-7.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2022&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, for the band of men who came with the Arabs to the camp had slain all the older sons.  So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.  Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri.  He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.  He did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.”  2 Chronicles 22:1-4.

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“He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20.

Ahaziah, king of Judah, would indeed suffer harm, because he “walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.”  And, “they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.” 

This verse applies to us too.  We need to be careful with whom we walk.  We need to be careful whom we choose to be our companions.

But, there is hope!

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:1-9.

We should seek wisdom and walk with good and righteous people.

“So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.” Psalm 2:20.

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm chapter 1.

Above all, we should seek to follow Christ and walk with Him.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30. 

Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:3.

“Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5. 

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. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior. Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. 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.

“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.”  Matthew 9:9.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10:27-28.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world;  he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  John 15:12.

“For in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;”  Colossians 2:9-10.

“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, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  …”  Ephesians 1:1-10.