Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 10, 2025

“God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, …”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 21:1-7.

“Then Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.  He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael and Shephatiah.  All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.  Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

Now when Jehoram had taken over the kingdom of his father and made himself secure, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and some of the rulers of Israel also.  Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.  He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab did (for Ahab’s daughter was his wife), and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.  Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever.”  2 Chronicles 21:1-7.

————

God’s faithfulness to Judah, (in being “not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David“), despite the evil of Jehoram, helps to encourage us and build our faith that God will also be faithful to us despite our sin and weaknesses.  

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:13-20.  

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 9, 2025

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:31-37.

“Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah.  He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years.  And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD.  The high places, however, were not removed;  the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel.  He acted wickedly in so doing.  So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.  Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.”  So the ships were broken and could not go to Tarshish.”  2 Chronicles 20:31-37.  

————

Relationships are important with a range of consequences. 

For example, in today’s Scripture, there was a business relationship for which Jehoshaphat was punished to a limited extent by the loss of the business inventory and loss of business for his bad, even wicked, business relationship with Ahaziah king of Israel. 

But, previous Scripture showed that his relationship with the LORD was mostly good. “So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.” 2 Chronicles 17:5. “So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.”  2 Chronicles 20:30.

To briefly bring up some Scriptures concerning the range of relationships and consequences, there is a difference in relationship with companions versus a one-time relationship with someone whose path we crossed versus a relationship with a spouse versus a relationship with the Lord (Christ).

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

“Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him;  and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them;  and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him;  and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’  Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”  And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”  Luke 20:30-37.

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14.

“10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12.

“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 Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:41-43.

But, there is hope!

“17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
20 Can a throne of destruction be allied with You,
One which devises mischief by decree?” Psalm 94:17-20.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (Christ). He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” 1 John 5:11-12.

“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.

“… For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” 2 Corinthians 6:15-16.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 8, 2025

“My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, … Because I rejoice in Your salvation.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:26-30.

“Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD.  Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today.  Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.  They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD.  And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.  So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.”  2 Chronicles 20:26-30.

———      

“Then Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the LORD;
My horn is exalted in the LORD,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3 “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.
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 2:1-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 7, 2025

“You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:14-25.

“Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;  and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:  thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  Tomorrow go down against them.  Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.  You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.  The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established.  Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”  When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah;  so they were routed.  For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely;  and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.  When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry.  And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.”  2 Chronicles 20:14-25.

————-

Other doctrine focuses on man and what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done and what God will do.

In today’s Scripture, as shown by bold italic font, we see that the focus is on God and what God has done and what God will do.

Man rightly needs to fear when the outcome is dependent on man.  But, what does Scripture state?

“‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  …  You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.'”

“Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established.  Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God provides all the things that accompany salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  (The “T” of “TULIP” represents “Total Depravity” of man).  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 6, 2025

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:1-13.

“Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.  Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).”  Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD;  they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens?  And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations?  Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.  Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?  They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’  Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance.  O our God, will You not judge them?  For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us;  nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.”  2 Chronicles 20:1-13.

———–

“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 33:18-22.

“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.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  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?  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,

“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

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 8:28-39.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 4, 2025

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

Today’s devotion is a special devotion for this 4th of July, our nation’s anniversary.  On Sunday, July 6, 2025, God willing, we will continue to cover Scripture in its order with 2 Chronicles 20:1-13.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12.

Our nation’s hope is not in our democracy, nor in our capitalism, nor in the righteousness or other goodness of our leaders and our people.

Our hope is in God.  “In God We Trust”.

“Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1.

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16.

Many of us believe, hope, and seek that God has chosen us, the United States, for His purposes, to some extent to be special, to be that “nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance” and to be that “light of the world” and that “city set on a hill (that) cannot be hidden”.

We sing the song “America the Beautiful” whose first verse is:

“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”

What specifically should we believe, hope, and seek?

We can learn from Israel who were God’s chosen people a/k/a nation in the Old Testament.  Here is what Moses asked on behalf of his nation Israel.

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

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken;  for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Exodus 33:16-17.

In a nutshell, over time, through history, we have seen all the blessings that the LORD has done for the United States, a land of peace and prosperity, a land overflowing with milk and honey, and most importantly a land with religious freedoms that have protected and prospered Christianity, such that in summary, we have grown to believe and come to believe that the United States was distinguished from all the other nations.

Accordingly, over time, through history, we have grown and come to believe that God has chosen us, the United States, for His own purposes, to be that “nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” 

So, let us look at some Scriptures to understand that God makes distinction between peoples and nations.  God did not treat all peoples and nations equally.  Let us look at how God treated the nation of Israel at times in the Old Testament.    

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God;  the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,”  Deuteronomy 7:6.

In other words, there was no virtue in Israel that was the basis for the LORD setting His love on Israel and choosing Israel. For His own sovereign reasons and pleasure, the LORD decided to do so.

Likewise, there was no virtue in United States that was the basis for the LORD setting His love on United States and choosing United States. For His own sovereign reasons and pleasure, it appears from His blessings that He bestowed on the United States that the LORD decided that United States would be that “nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”  Accordingly, United States should be humble and thankful to the LORD.

Regarding the distinction that the LORD makes between nations, consider the following Scriptures.

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

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

“And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them;  the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand.  Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed;  all came to pass.”  Joshua 21:44-45.

“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised;  not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.  May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers;  may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.”  1 Kings 8:56-58.

Although there is the presence of wickedness in the United States, and we do not deserve being chosen and blessed by our own goodness or other virtue, we can more easily generally believe that God has chosen, guided, protected, preserved, and otherwise specially blessed the United States for His own purposes and His own pleasure of His own sovereign will which we cannot fully understand.

Let us consider the context, the preceding verses, of that precious verse (“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, …” Psalm 33:12).

“8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
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 33:8-11.

In other words, God’s grace on the United States is not dependent on our faithfulness, but it is dependent on His faithfulness and His choice of the United States to be that “nation whose God is the LORD”. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, …” Psalm 33:11.

It is more difficult to speculate on the specific reasons why God chose United States. Maybe, we do not know, the LORD did so choose and specially bless the United States maybe for the sake of His elect such as the Puritans and other pilgrims who founded our nation (Christians) to give them and their descendants a good place to live. Maybe, we do not know, the LORD did so to use the United States to send out the Gospel to the rest of the world. Maybe, we do not know, the LORD did so to use the United States to maintain peace and be an example and otherwise be a blessing to the rest of the world. Maybe, we do not know, the LORD did so to use the United States as part of His overall plan to otherwise exercise His lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth.  

We do see from Scripture the following.

We do see from the New Testament that God only shows “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:7.  

“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.”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

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

“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.

Regarding the purposes of why God chose the United States, one analogy is how God chose Rome to build roads and maintain peace through much of the world at the time of Christ by which the Gospel could be more easily spread.

Regarding the presence of wickedness in the United States, and why God would still protect, preserve and specially bless the United States despite such wickedness, another analogy can be seen through Jesus’ parable in which Jesus taught that God does not punish wickedness as quickly as some may like.  

“Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.  But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.  The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?  How then does it have tares?’  And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’  The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’  But he *said, ‘No;  for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Allow both to grow together until the harvest;  and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up;  but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”  Matthew 13:24-30.

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

Certainly, there are Christians in other nations, and God has also to some extent guided, protected, preserved, and blessed other nations, also for the sake of those Christians in other nations.  

More important than the United States is Christ’s church, His body, the elect of God from all nations.

“And they *sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals;  for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God;  and they will reign upon the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;  and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:9-10.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.  And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.”  Mark 13:24-27.

In conclusion, even though some of our government leaders may be bad, we are urged to pray for them.  And, even though some of the actions of the United States are bad, we are also urged to pray for the United States and give thanks to God for what God has done for our nation, the United States of America.   

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”  1 Timothy 2:1-6.

So, through God’s grace and providence, may our national motto and faith always continue to be: “In God, we trust.” May God always continue to guide, protect, and bless the United States of America!

“Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous,
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel.” Psalm chapter 125.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 3, 2025

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 19.

“Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.  Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD?  But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.  He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.  Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you;  be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.  Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren.  Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.  Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king.  Also the Levites shall be officers before you.  Act resolutely, and the LORD be with the upright.”  2 Chronicles chapter 19.

————-  

Why do we obey the LORD?

First, let us consider the following good summary from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

A.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.

Hopefully, these following Scriptures, starting with this following lead Deuteronomy Scripture, will also help us give us some reasons to answer that question.  

“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?  Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.  Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day.  So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.  For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the LORD of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.  He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.  So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.  You shall fear the LORD your God;  you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.  He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.  Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.”  Deuteronomy 10:12-20.

We obey the LORD, because He is the Sovereign Almighty LORD and we belong to Him.  “Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.”  See Deuteronomy 10:14 above.

We obey the LORD, because He chose us out of all the peoples to be His people, His children.  “Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day.”  See Deuteronomy 10:15 above.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

This verse means that we will be perfect, because “your heavenly Father is perfect” and He will provide everything that we, His children, need to be perfect.   

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

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.

We obey the LORD, because He has done great and awesome things for us.  “He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.”  See Deuteronomy 10:21 above. 

We obey the LORD, because He has given us a new heart and a new spirit and causes us to obey Him.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

We obey the LORD, because He gives us the will to obey Him and works within us to obey Him.

“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 2:12-13.

“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 obey the LORD, because He gives us everything that we need to obey Him.

“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. 

“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. 

In conclusion, we obey the LORD, because the LORD places us in Christ and gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and always leads us in triumph in Christ! Praise the LORD!!

“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.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4.

“For in Him 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; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 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 2:9-15.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57.

“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.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 2, 2025

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 18:23-34.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2018&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead.  The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes.”  So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.  Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.”  So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him.  But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.  When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.  A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor.  So he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.”  The battle raged that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans until the evening;  and at sunset he died.”  2 Chronicles 18:28-34.

————    

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

The king of Israel planned to protect himself and draw attention and the fight of the enemy to Jehoshaphat.  “The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes.  …”  Verse 29.

But, the LORD directed the king of Israel’s steps to the exact position where an arrow would hit him in the joint of the armor.  “A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor.  …”  Verse 33.

The army of the king of Aram planned to attack Jehoshaphat.  “So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him.  …”  Verse 31. 

But, the LORD diverted them away from Jehoshaphat.  “…  But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.”  Verse 31. 

“And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21.

“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.

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 1, 2025

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 18:8-22.

“Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah, Imla’s son.”  Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria;  and all the prophets were prophesying before them.  Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’”  All the prophets were prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.”

Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king.  So please let your word be like one of them and speak favorably.”  But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.”

When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?”  He said, “Go up and succeed, for they will be given into your hand.”  Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”  So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
Like sheep which have no shepherd;
And the LORD said,
‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left.  The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’  And one said this while another said that.  Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’  And the LORD said to him, ‘How?’  He said, ‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’  Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.’  Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, for the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.”  2 Chronicles 18:8-22.

———–

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

If the LORD was able to control the will of a king, even wicked king Ahab, as He did through putting a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these prophets, then why is it so hard for us to believe that the LORD is able to control the will of us, His righteous children?!

We have all these magnificent promises, but we rather believe false doctrine that man’s alleged free-will trumps both generally God’s sovereignty and His specific magnificent promises.  Ridiculous!  Enough is enough!  Let us turn our attention to God’s sovereignty and magnificent promises!

First, let us consider some additional Scripture on God’s sovereignty.

“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.

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4.

“‘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.

“Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:1-9.

God’s sovereignty rules over all!  God controls even hearts and minds, and He is not releasing His tight and total control over them.  Man may cry:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”.  But, as we see in the foregoing Scripture, the Lord laughs at them and scoffs at them.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

Now, let us consider some additional Scriptures about God’s magnificent promises.

“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 2:12-13.

“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. 

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

“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. 

“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. 

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

You will be perfect, because “your heavenly Father is perfect” and He will provide everything that you, His righteous children, need to be perfect.   

“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. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 30, 2025

“The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it.” – “You preserve me from trouble”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 18:1-7.

“Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor;  and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.  Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria.  And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.  Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?”  And he said to him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle.”

Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”  Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?”  And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”  But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?”  The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil.  He is Micaiah, son of Imla.”  But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”  2 Chronicles 18:1-7.

————-

A prudent man considers warning signs along the way.  So to speak, some warning signs are flashing red lights, but other warning signs are much more subtle and take much more wisdom to discern.  

And then, there are rewards to consider as well as as risks.  For a particular path, it might be worth it to assume the risks when we consider the rewards.

In today’s devotion, we will look at warning signs that Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, faced and how we can use them to be more careful in the risks that we face.  We will also meditate on some Scriptures on wisdom and protection.

In verse 1, we see that Jehoshaphat allied himself by marriage with Ahab.  We know that Ahab was a bad man, but Jehoshaphat did not marry Ahab.  We can presume Jehoshaphat married some relative of Ahab.  It is rarely, if ever, worthwhile to marry a bad spouse.  But, it may be worthwhile to marry a good spouse even though there is a bad member in the spouse’s family.  

In verses 2-3, we see that Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab, and Ahab threw him a party and Ahab asked a favor from Jehoshaphat.  Bad men are rarely generous.  Was Jehoshaphat prepared for the possibility, even likelihood that Ahab would ask a big favor from him?  We read that Ahab asked to go to war with him against Ramoth-gilead.  

In verses 4-5, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to ask the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”  But, Ahab only assembled his own prophets, false prophets, to ask them.  And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 

In verses 6-7, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to ask:  “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?”  And, when Ahab resisted, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to press the issue and insist that Ahab bring them Micaiah, son of Imla, who we was a true prophet. 

Unfortunately, this was not the end of the story.  The end of the story did not have a pure happy ending.  It is too complex to summarize herein.  But, for the purposes of this devotion, we can glean the importance of prudence, perseverance, and preservation.  We can not be content with making one prudent decision.  We also need to persevere in wisdom, and we also need God’s preservation of us.  

So, here are some Scriptures.

“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.

“3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:3-4.

“The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15.

“House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Proverbs 19:14.

“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.

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

“…  But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:16.

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

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16.

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12.

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

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

“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.

“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.

Comments Off on “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it.” – “You preserve me from trouble”

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