Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 26, 2025

“I am God, … Declaring the end from the beginning … I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 4:11 to 2 Chronicles 5:1.

“Huram also made the pails, the shovels and the bowls.  So Huram finished doing the work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of God:  the two pillars, the bowls and the two capitals on top of the pillars, and the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on top of the pillars, and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on the pillars.  He also made the stands and he made the basins on the stands, and the one sea with the twelve oxen under it.  The pails, the shovels, the forks and all its utensils, Huram-abi made of polished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD.  On the plain of the Jordan the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah.  Thus Solomon made all these utensils in great quantities, for the weight of the bronze could not be found out.

Solomon also made all the things that were in the house of God:  even the golden altar, the tables with the bread of the Presence on them, the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary in the way prescribed;  the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;  and the snuffers, the bowls, the spoons and the firepans of pure gold;  and the entrance of the house, its inner doors for the holy of holies and the doors of the house, that is, of the nave, of gold.

Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the LORD was finished.  And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.”  2 Chronicles 4:11 to 2 Chronicles 5:1. 

————–

There was no doubt, no uncertainty, no suspense as to whether or not Solomon would build the house of the LORD.  The LORD promised it.  In the following Scripture, Solomon testified as to the intent of his father David and what the LORD said, promised, and fulfilled His word.     

“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.  But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.  Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he will build the house for My name.’  Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke;  for I have risen in place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.”  1 Kings 8:17-20.

“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. 

“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 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.

Usually, these precious trio of verses are quoted in opposite order, that is, from beginning to end.  But, today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on how great our LORD is.  This is like yesterday’s devotion where we noticed the paste tense in the words what the LORD has already accomplished for us!

Other doctrine preaches and teaches alleged man’s free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine preaches and teaches God’s sovereignty and rule over all things.

“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’;” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“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 | May 25, 2025

“You are already clean”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 4:1-10.

“Then he made a bronze altar, twenty cubits in length and twenty cubits in width and ten cubits in height.  Also he made the cast metal sea, ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits and its circumference thirty cubits.  Now figures like oxen were under it and all around it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the sea.  The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.  It stood on twelve oxen, three facing the north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east; and the sea was set on top of them and all their hindquarters turned inwards.  It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom;  it could hold 3,000 baths.  He also made ten basins in which to wash, and he set five on the right side and five on the left to rinse things for the burnt offering;  but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

Then he made the ten golden lampstands in the way prescribed for them and he set them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left.  He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left.  And he made one hundred golden bowls.  Then he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court, and overlaid their doors with bronze.  He set the sea on the right side of the house toward the southeast.”  2 Chronicles 4:1-10.

———-

Today’s Scripture focuses on the “sea” which was a basin for the priests to wash in.  The following Scripture gives details about the importance of it, (called a “laver” in the following Scripture).

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing;  and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.  Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it;  when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die;  or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the LORD.  So they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they will not die;  and it shall be a perpetual statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations.”  Exodus 30:17-21.

But, there is hope!

“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:19-22.

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”  John 15:3. 

Notice the paste tense in the words highlighted in bold italic font in the above three Scriptures above!  What hope that it presents that the LORD has already accomplished it for us!

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

Man wants to look at himself for what he has done or what he will do.  But, the LORD says throughout Scripture:  “Look at what I have done!”

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

“Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:1-3.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 23, 2025

“the city was pure gold, like clear glass.” – “for he was looking for the city … whose architect and builder is God.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 3.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%203&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.  He began to build on the second day in the second month of the fourth year of his reign.

Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for building the house of God.  The length in cubits, according to the old standard was sixty cubits, and the width twenty cubits.  The porch which was in front of the house was as long as the width of the house, twenty cubits, and the height 120;  and inside he overlaid it with pure gold.  He overlaid the main room with cypress wood and overlaid it with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains.  Further, he adorned the house with precious stones;  and the gold was gold from Parvaim.  He also overlaid the house with gold—the beams, the thresholds and its walls and its doors;  and he carved cherubim on the walls.

Now he made the room of the holy of holies:  its length across the width of the house was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits;  and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to 600 talents.  The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold.  He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold.

Then he made two sculptured cherubim in the room of the holy of holies and overlaid them with gold.”  2 Chronicles 3:1-10.

———–  

The extent of the gold in the temple points us to heaven:  “…  the city was pure gold, like clear glass.”  Revelation 21:18.  Even the streets of heaven are “pure gold, like transparent glass.”  Revelation 21:21.  

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:2.

“Walk about Zion and go around her;
Count her towers;
Consider her ramparts;
Go through her palaces,
That you may tell it to the next generation.” Psalm 48:12-13.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”  Philippians 3:20-21. 

Let us follow the example of Abraham “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:10.

Heaven is the home of God and His people.  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,”  Revelation 21:3. 

“they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  And there will no longer be any night;  and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them;  and they will reign forever and ever.”  Revelation 22:4-5.

We may imagine older people slowly and carefully walking around in heaven to prevent a fall and save their energy.  But, a truer image would be of young, beautiful athletic bodies jumping with joy around in heaven with great strength, health, and vitality.  “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.  …  this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality …”  1 Corinthians 15:40 and 54.

Heaven is a place of righteousness, peace, and joy.  “… the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17.  “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;  and there will no longer be any death;  there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;  the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:4.

We may have an image of heaven only containing colors of white and gold.  But, heaven contains a spectrum of vivid colors, and all from precious jewels!  “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation stone was jasper;  the second, sapphire;  the third, chalcedony;  the fourth, emerald;  the fifth, sardonyx;  the sixth, sardius;  the seventh, chrysolite;  the eighth, beryl;  the ninth, topaz;  the tenth, chrysoprase;  the eleventh, jacinth;  the twelfth, amethyst.”  Revelation 21:19.

Heaven has a river.  “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,”  Revelations 22:1.  Many people like Cozumel, Mexico because of the clarity and beauty of the water.  How much more beautiful and wonderful is the river of flowing water in heaven, “clear as crystal”, which water is “life” itself!

Do we think of the citizens of heaven almost as zombies:  slow, emotionless,  and quiet?  A cheering football stadium crowd may be more like the citizens of heaven!  “… we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us …”  Hebrews 12:1.  

Do we just play a harp all the time in heaven?  No!  Heaven is not boring;  rather, it is a joyful place. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Matthew 22:2.  “The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;  A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.”  Isaiah 25:6.

We are also protected in heaven.  But, “… do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived;  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you;  but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11. 

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13.

We tend to not think of trees in heaven, but there are trees in heaven and they bear “… twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month;  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  Revelations 22:2.

Is God in heaven like an impotent man just watching and waiting and wringing his hands and worrying as to who will use their alleged free-will to accept Jesus and get into heaven or who may use their alleged free-will and reject Jesus and go to hell?  

No!  God is a victorious warrior!  “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

Only God can save, and God saves every one of His elect.  Not one of His elect is lost.  “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16.  “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.

In summary, God reigns over all.  God accomplishes all of His good pleasure in the heavens and on earth! Total Perfect Triumph!

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

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

“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.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 22, 2025

“Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 2:7-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%202&version=NASB1995

Here is a link to the following verses.

“Then Huram, king of Tyre, answered in a letter sent to Solomon:  “Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.”  Then Huram continued, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who will build a house for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.

“Now I am sending Huram-abi, a skilled man, endowed with understanding, the son of a Danite woman and a Tyrian father, who knows how to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone and wood, and in purple, violet, linen and crimson fabrics, and who knows how to make all kinds of engravings and to execute any design which may be assigned to him, to work with your skilled men and with those of my lord David your father.  Now then, let my lord send to his servants wheat and barley, oil and wine, of which he has spoken.  We will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you on rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may carry it up to Jerusalem.”  2 Chronicles 2:11-16.

———-

Was Solomon king over all people?  No.  Solomon was only king over Israel.  

Solomon was distinguished by the LORD.  The LORD chose Solomon to be king over Israel.  

Solomon was also distinguished by his father David who was the prior king over Israel.  David had many sons, yet he chose only Solomon to be king over Israel.  

Solomon was also distinguished by the “discretion and understanding” that the LORD gave him.   

Solomon was also distinguished by Huram, king of Tyre, who, in a letter sent to Solomon stated:  “Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.” Notice that Huram provided so much to Solomon.  Did Huram provide these things to all the kings?  No.  Solomon was distinguished by Huram.

Israel was also distinguished by the fact that Solomon was their king.

Even in our daily life, we see people and institutions distinguished.  So, this should not be a foreign concept.  

Certain universities are distinguished.  Certain groceries stores and financial institutions are distinguished.  We do not equally love them.  But rather, we chose certain ones of them to attend and do business.  

Certain people are distinguished.  A husband does not equally love all women.  But rather, he distinguishes his wife and only loves her.  

Every day we make choices.

Thus, today’s Scripture leads us to consider that the LORD does not love all people.  The LORD only loves His people a/k/a His chosen ones a/k/a His elect.  

“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.”  Deuteronomy 7:6.

How do we know that we are His people a/k/a His chosen ones a/k/a His elect?

Our names may be written in the Book of Life which we cannot now read, but our names are not written in the Bible which we can read.

Moses wondered and asked the LORD specifically:  “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?”  Exodus 33:16.

More generally, over time, we learn and believe that we are the elect a/k/a God’s chosen people by God doing special particular goodness to us, particularly “distinguished from all the other people”. 

Everybody gets sunshine and rain, so when we experience such common good things, we do not feel “distinguished from all the other people”. But, when we feel that God is showing us special particular goodness to us, that all other people do not receive, we feel that we are distinguished from other people and we wonder and think we may be the elect a/k/a God’s chosen people. 

As stated in the Canons of Dordt that I will later quote in full, “The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election“.  

So, let us look at some 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.

“7 I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD,
According to all that the LORD has granted us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has granted them according to His compassion
And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, “Surely, they are My people,
Sons who will not deal falsely.”
So He became their Savior.” Isaiah 63:7-8.

In regards to what I highlighted above, consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 12.  The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election, not by inquisitively prying into the secret and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves with a spiritual joy and holy pleasure, the infallible fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God – such as a true faith in Christ, filial fear, a godly sorrow for sin, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, etc.

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.

Just as a husband only distinguishes his own wife and only loves his own wife, not all women, “… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” Malachi 3:17-18.

“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.

In other words than the above-stated Romans 9:22-24, we appreciate more being “distinguished from all the other people” and what God has done for us when we can see and compare ourselves with others, both in the goodness that we receive (lovingkindness) and the punishment from which we were saved (mercy).

“10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” Psalm 58:10-11.

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 21, 2025

“May my prayer be counted as incense before You”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 2:1-6.

“Now Solomon decided to build a house for the name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself.  So Solomon assigned 70,000 men to carry loads and 80,000 men to quarry stone in the mountains and 3,600 to supervise them.

Then Solomon sent word to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedars to build him a house to dwell in, so do for me.  Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, dedicating it to Him, to burn fragrant incense before Him and to set out the showbread continually, and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on sabbaths and on new moons and on the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, this being required forever in Israel.  The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods.  But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him?  So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?”  2 Chronicles 2:1-6.

————

The following Scriptures show that the prayers of the saints are closely associated with the burning of incense.  That point shows how the LORD is pleased with the prayers of the saints and how He treasures those prayers.  And that point should encourage us to pray more, particularly when we praise and glorify Him in our prayers.   

That does not necessarily mean that the LORD does not welcome our prayer requests.  For example, see the “Ask, and it will be given to you” Scripture in Matthew 7:6-11.  But, we notice the balance between the two categories of “praise and glory” and “prayer requests” in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

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

So, now let us look at Scriptures that show the prayers of the saints a/k/a His people are closely associated with the burning of incense.  

“May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.” Psalm 141:4.

“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer;  and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”  Revelation 8:3-4. 

“When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  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 5:8-10.

“And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.  Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.”  Luke 1:10-13. 

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

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 2:5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 20, 2025

“Riches and honor are with me (wisdom), Enduring wealth and righteousness.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 1:14-17.

“Solomon amassed chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.  The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the lowland.  Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue;  the king’s traders procured them from Kue for a price.  They imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and horses for 150 apiece, and by the same means they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.”  2 Chronicles 1:14-17. 

———   

We may not be as much impressed with chariots and horsemen as we are with silver and gold.  But, we can be impressed with how soon Scripture shows God’s fulfillment of some of His promise to Solomon.

Specifically, only two verses before today’s Scripture, we read God’s promise to Solomon:  “…  And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.”  1 Chronicles 1:12.

And, today’s Scripture presents hope for us today!

We may not get a chariot, but we may get a car.  We may not get horsemen, but we may gain benefit from an economic system where we may get help to do about anything.  We may not get silver and gold as plentiful as stones, but we may have enough for food, clothing, shelter, and so much more!  

But, God did not give these things to Solomon without reason.        

“God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you.  And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.”  2 Chronicles 1:11-12.   

And, Scripture provides general keys as to how we can get riches and honor such as through wisdom, trust in God, seeking first God and His kingdom, and our position in Christ.  Here are eight Scriptures.  You may think of more.  

“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.

“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.

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

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33.

“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. 

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

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

“… He chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. …” Ephesians 1:4-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 19, 2025

“He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 1:1-13.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.  

“Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him greatly.

…  

In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”

Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place.  Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.  Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?”  God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you.  And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.”  So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.”  2 Chronicles 1:1 and 7-13.  

————-

Today’s Scripture leads us to understand God and what pleases Him.

“It was pleasing in the sight of the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing.  God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words.  Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.”  1 Kings 3:10-12.

“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.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 18, 2025

“Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 29:20-30.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2029&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God.”  And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the LORD and to the king.

On the next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.  So they ate and drank that day before the LORD with great gladness.

And they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, and they anointed him as ruler for the LORD and Zadok as priest.  Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father;  and he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.  All the officials, the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David pledged allegiance to King Solomon.  The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him royal majesty which had not been on any king before him in Israel.”  1 Chronicles 29:20-25. 

———–  

Today’s devotion points us to the LORD highly exalting His Son, our Lord and Savior and King Jesus Christ, and how all should do “homage to the LORD and to the king.”  Oxford Languages online defines “homage” as “special honor or respect shown publicly”.  

The following Psalm chapter 2 expresses this so well.

“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.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm chapter 2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 16, 2025

“O LORD our God, all this abundance … it is from Your hand” – “preserve … and direct their heart to You”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 29:14-19.

“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?  For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.  For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were;  our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.  O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.  Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things;  so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.  O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You;  and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.”  1 Chronicles 29:14-19.

———-   

David wisely starts this portion of his prayer with humility:  “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?”  Verse 14. 

“…  our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.”  Verse 15.

“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.”  Verse 16.

David also wisely ends this portion of his prayer with a request that God preserves them and directs their heart to Him.

“O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You;” Verse 18.  

Likewise to the beginning point of humility of David’s prayer, the beginning point of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation is humility.  It is called “Total Depravity” and humbles man.  It is the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt. 

Likewise to the closing point of requesting God’s preservation of them in David’s prayer, the closing point of the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation is “Preservation of the Saints”.  It is the “P” of “TULIP”. 

In summary, Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God provides all the points of 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.  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed creed Canons of Dordt.

In conclusion, here are a sample of seven supporting verses. A more detailed summary of “TULIP” is also in a headnote at the top of the web site page.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“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 8:29-30.

“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. 

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

“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.

“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 | May 15, 2025

“Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.” – “Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

“So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly;  and David said, “Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth;  Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.  Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might;  and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.  Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.”  1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

——–

Man is naturally man-centered and inclined to limit giving praise and glory to God for only what God has done for his salvation and for what God otherwise gives him.

God deserves praise and glory for more than only His lovingkindness;  God also deserves praise and glory for His justice, His righteousness, and His other excellent qualities.

What would we think of a judge who only pardoned everyone, no matter how bad the crime, and did not punish anyone?  

We, particularly the victims, would think that the judge is unjust and would try to get that judge removed from office by the next election as soon as possible.

Praise and glory belongs to God for His justice in punishment of the ungodly as well as praise and glory belongs to God for His lovingkindness to the godly.  “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:9.

“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.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”   2 Peter 3:7.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

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

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

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son (Christ), that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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