Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 13.

“In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.  He reigned three years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.

Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.  Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men who were valiant warriors.

Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel:  Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?  Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master, and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them.

“So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the LORD through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you.  Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands?  Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods.  But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him;  and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the LORD as priests, and the Levites attend to their work.  Every morning and evening they burn to the LORD burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening;  for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken Him.  Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you.  O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.  When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear;  so they cried to the LORD, and the priests blew the trumpets.  Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.  When the sons of Israel fled before Judah, God gave them into their hand.  Abijah and his people defeated them with a great slaughter, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.  Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers.  Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured from him several cities, Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages and Ephron with its villages.

Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijah;  and the LORD struck him and he died.

But Abijah became powerful; and took fourteen wives to himself, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.  Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways and his words are written in the treatise of the prophet Iddo.”  2 Chronicles chapter 13.

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There are two themes to today’s devotion.  We will focus on verse 28.  “Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers.” 

First, we see that “the sons of Israel were subdued at that time”.  This is a warning to people who are in the church and drift away from God, and they think they are safe by just attending church, so to speak, merely by being Israel.  Second, we see that Judah conquered and was saved, “because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers.” This devotion will also present Scriptures about the importance of trusting God and His promises. 

Regarding the first point, we should be careful, so that we do not drift away from God. Here are some warnings in Scripture.   

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  …”  Hebrews 2:1-3.

“AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?” 1 Peter 4: 18.

“And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”  And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door;  for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:23-24.

But, we may claim that we love the Lord!  Will having a zeal for God be enough to be saved?  Paul states that for the Jews, zeal was not enough – “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: 2-3.

Jesus said:  “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven;  …  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord’ did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;  DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” Matthew 7:21-23.

Even the Apostle Paul stated:  “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.

The point of the foregoing is to show that salvation is not easy.  We should not be complacent.  We should seek the truth and the soundest doctrine and follow all of Scripture with all of our mind, heart, and soul.

Scripture exhorts us to seek for wisdom as one would seek for silver or hidden treasure.  How much more should we seek for salvation as one would seek for silver or hidden treasure! 

“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.” Proverbs 2:4-5.

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29.

Scripture also sternly warns us!

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.  Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know Him who said: “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.”  And again, THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:26-31.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”  Galatians 6:7-9. 

But, there is hope!

This brings us to the second point about the importance of trusting God and His promises.   

“13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
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 33:13-22.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.

“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.

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

“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.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“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.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2.

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

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:10-11.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 11:18-23.

“Then Rehoboam took as a wife Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse, and she bore him sons:  Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham.  After her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom, and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith.  Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines.  For he had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.  Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah as head and leader among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.  He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them food in abundance.  And he sought many wives for them.”  2 Chronicles 11:18-23.  

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“He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away;  nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.

“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.  It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel.”  Deuteronomy 17:17-20.

There is an earthly wisdom, and in sharp contrast, a wisdom from above.  From an earthly wisdom, it may be true that Rehoboam “acted wisely” in so strengthening his kingdom.  But, in the very next verses, we read the following:  “When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD.  And it came about in King Rehoboam’s fifth year, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen.  And the people who came with him from Egypt were without number:  the Lubim, the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.  He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.”  2 Chronicles 12:1-4.

The wisdom from above seeks the LORD and His Word.

“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.” Psalm 1:2-3.

“12 Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.” Psalm 119:12-16.

“5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.” Proverbs 4:5-6.

“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.

“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 2:6-9.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the LORD. “Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” Jeremiah 23:28-29.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 11:1-17.

“Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.  But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “You shall not go up or fight against your relatives;  return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.”’”  So they listened to the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam.

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.  Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin.  He also strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them and stores of food, oil and wine.  He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly.  So he held Judah and Benjamin.

Moreover, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him from all their districts.

For the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the LORD.  He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made.  Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.  They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.”  2 Chronicles 11:1-17. 

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Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on God’s “Preservation of the Saints”,  the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

First, in the first paragraph (verses 1-4), we see the intervention of God putting a hard stop to the intention of Rehoboam and Judah and Benjamin from going to war against Israel.  There are times in our lives when God likewise preserves us by intervening and putting a hard stop to our intention to do something that could harm us or others.

Second, in the second paragraph (verses 5-12), we see God leading Judah and Benjamin to defend themselves.  There are times in our lives when God likewise preserves us by giving us the wisdom and will to do certain common things that strengthen and preserves us like attending a good church, regularly reading and studying the Bible, and participating in Christian service.

Third, in the third and fourth paragraphs, we see God bringing the Levites from Israel to Judah and Benjamin to strengthen and preserve Judah.  There are times in our lives when God brings special Christians to us who are like salt and light to us to preserve us.  

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

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.

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

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

“… for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” Hebrews 13:5.

“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Psalm 37:28.

“You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.” Psalm 12:7.

“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11.

“The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

“23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24.

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7.

“Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10.

“23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24.

“Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.” Proverbs 2:8.

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”  John 6:39.

“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.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me;  and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”  John 17:12.

“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.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30.

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39.

“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.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith …”  Hebrews 12:2.

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

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 10:1-11.

“Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.  When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), Jeroboam returned from Egypt.  So they sent and summoned him.  When Jeroboam and all Israel came, they spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke hard;  now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”  He said to them, “Return to me again in three days.”  So the people departed.

Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”  They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”  But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.  So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”  The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to the people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter for us.’  Thus you shall say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!  Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke;  my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’” 1 Chronicles 10:1-11.

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We notice the contrast between the counsel of the elders and the counsel of the young men.  The following Scripture presents the contrast between the words and actions of the wise (righteous) and the words and the actions of fools (wicked). 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.” Proverbs 15:1-9.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 9:22-31.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%209&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.  And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.  They brought every man his gift, articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses and mules, so much year by year.

Now Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.  He was the ruler over all the kings from the Euphrates River even to the land of the Philistines, and as far as the border of Egypt.  The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamore trees that are in the lowland.  And they were bringing horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all countries.

…

And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David;  and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.”  2 Chronicles 9:22-28 and 31. 

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“Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
2 May he judge Your people with righteousness
And Your afflicted with justice.
3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.

5 Let them fear You while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,
Like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
And abundance of peace till the moon is no more.

8 May he also rule from sea to sea
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Let the nomads of the desert bow before him,
And his enemies lick the dust.
10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 And let all kings bow down before him,
All nations serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight;
15 So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;
And let them pray for him continually;
Let them bless him all day long.

16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains;
Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;
And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth.
17 May his name endure forever;
May his name increase as long as the sun shines;
And let men bless themselves by him;
Let all nations call him blessed.

18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen.

20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” Psalm chapter 72.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 9:10-21.

“The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious stones.  From the algum trees the king made steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and lyres and harps for the singers;  and none like that was seen before in the land of Judah.

King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested besides a return for what she had brought to the king. Then she turned and went to her own land with her servants.

Now the weight of gold which came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, besides that which the traders and merchants brought;  and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.  King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold, using 600 shekels of beaten gold on each large shield.  He made 300 shields of beaten gold, using three hundred shekels of gold on each shield, and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.  There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.  Twelve lions were standing there on the six steps on the one side and on the other;  nothing like it was made for any other kingdom.  All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold;  silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon.  For the king had ships which went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram;  once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks.”  2 Chronicles 9:10-21.

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Today’s Scripture shows fulfillment of the promise in God’s word that wisdom produces riches.

“So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.  And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.”  2 Chronicles 9:22-23.  

“18 “Riches and honor are with me (wisdom),
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
20 “I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.” Proverbs 8:18-21.

“13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.” Proverbs 3:13-16.

“3 By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4.