Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 25.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2025&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals;  and the number of those who performed their service was:  Of the sons of Asaph:  Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah;  the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.  Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun:  Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD.  Of Heman, the sons of Heman:  Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.  All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer to exalt him according to the words of God, for God gave fourteen sons and three daughters to Heman.  All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, harps and lyres, for the service of the house of God.  Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the direction of the king.  Their number who were trained in singing to the LORD, with their relatives, all who were skillful, was 288.”  1 Chronicles 25:1-7. 

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“Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

3 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!” Psalm chapter 150.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 24.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2024&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.  

“Now the divisions of the descendants of Aaron were these:  the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.  But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons.  So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.  David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry.  Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar, they divided them thus:  there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households.  Thus they were divided by lot, the one as the other;  for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God, both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar.  Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, from the Levites, recorded them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites;  one father’s household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.”  1 Chronicles 24:1-6.

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David divided (and placed) the priests according to their offices for their ministry.  Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on the division and placement of Christians around the world.  

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”  1 Corinthians 12:18. 

Some Christians stay all their life in the same church or at least same metropolitan where there are good options for churches with the same doctrine. But, there are other Christians who move to an area where there are no or very few options for a church with the same doctrine.

Some of these Christians who did move (to an area where there are no or very few options for a church with the same doctrine) will either move back to their home or will move to another area where there are good options for churches will the same doctrine. And, it is easier to understand that move. Most often, that should be our goal.   

But sometimes, God will lead Christians to stay, or even move, to areas where there are no or very few options for a church with the same doctrine. As one example, there are missionaries.  But, there are also other reasons why God has placed them there.

Too often, we only view ourselves in one church or another church.  But, God views us “in Christ” in the one true invisible church.  According to God’s will, God places us in the body of Christ (the one true invisible church) exactly were He wants to do so. “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”  1 Corinthians 12:18.   

Here are some examples of division for success.

A military force does not always stay altogether in one group, but sometimes, it is divided. 

With division into two or more forces, it can better attack the enemy from different positions.  With division into two or more forces, it can also spread out and preserve life by preventing the whole military force from being destroyed if there is a concentrated attack on all of them in one area.  

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.  He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.”  Genesis 14:14-15.

“The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”  Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed;  and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies;  for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.”  Genesis 32:6-8.

Consider how we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Salt is liberally sprinkled here and there in order to penetrate and preserve and give flavor.  Salt does not stay in the salt container.  Likewise, Christians are spread out. 

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13.

We move a candle or flashlight to areas which are dark in order to bring light to the darkness.  Light does not stay under the basket or in one room, so the light may go far and wide and penetrate darkness.  Likewise, Christians are spread out. 

“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.

Peter mostly stayed in Jerusalem.  But, Paul traveled extensively in his missionary trips to the Gentiles.  We certainly understand the value of this division and placement by God.  

“… I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),”  Galatians 2:7-8. 

In conclusion, we can and should trust God to guide us.  

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers’ households, even the heads of the fathers’ households of those of them who were counted, in the number of names by their census, doing the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from twenty years old and upward.  For David said, “The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever.  Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service.”  For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward.  For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God, and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, or what is baked in the pan or what is well-mixed, and all measures of volume and size.  They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD, on the sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals in the number set by the ordinance concerning them, continually before the LORD.  Thus they are to keep charge of the tent of meeting, and charge of the holy place, and charge of the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the LORD.”  1 Chronicles 23:24-32.

————  

Too often, we hear from preachers and teachers and the congregation what they are going to do.  Too infrequently, we hear what the LORD has done.  

“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.

“The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

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

“For 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.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
The LORD is gracious and compassionate.” Psalm 111:1-4.

“7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.” Psalm 111:7-9.

“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.

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

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 22:14-19.

“Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weight, for they are in great quantity; also timber and stone I have prepared, and you may add to them.  Moreover, there are many workmen with you, stonecutters and masons of stone and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work.  Of the gold, the silver and the bronze and the iron there is no limit.  Arise and work, and may the LORD be with you.”

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon, saying, “Is not the LORD your God with you?  And has He not given you rest on every side?  For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people.  Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God;  arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD.”  1 Chronicles 22:14-19.

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David commanded his son Solomon and all the leaders of Israel in or similar language:  “Arise and work, and may the LORD be with you.”  We are likewise called to arise and work with the assurance that the LORD is with us.

“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. 

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24.

“24 This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O LORD, do save, we beseech You;
O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!” Psalm 118:24-25.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 22:6-13.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2022&version=NASB1995

“Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.  …  Now, my son, the LORD be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the LORD your God just as He has spoken concerning you.  Only the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.  Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel.  Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.”  1 Chronicles 22:6 and 11-13.

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

But, there is hope and help!

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

“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. 

“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.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

So, let us go back to the “Therefore you are to be perfect” verse that is quoted above.  You will be perfect, because “your heavenly Father is perfect”.  In other words, our Heavenly Father will provide everything that we, His children, need to be perfect.    

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

“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.

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 21:9-17.

“The LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I offer you three things; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you.”’”  So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Take for yourself either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’  Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.”  David said to Gad, “I am in great distress;  please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great.  But do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel;  70,000 men of Israel fell.  And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it;  but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw and was sorry over the calamity, and said to the destroying angel, “It is enough;  now relax your hand.”  And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.  Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem.  Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces.  David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to count the people?  Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done?  O LORD my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”  1 Chronicles 21:9-17.

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“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4 Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:1-13.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man;  though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”  Romans 5:6-11.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba!  Father!”  Romans 8:15.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 21:1-8.

“Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.  So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.”  Joab said, “May the LORD add to His people a hundred times as many as they are!  But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants?  Why does my lord seek this thing?  Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”  Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab.  Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.  Joab gave the number of the census of all the people to David.  And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword;  and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword.  But he did not number Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.

God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel.  David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing.  But now, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” 1 Chronicles 21:1-8.

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Superficially, David’s action of taking a census of all the people may not have violated God’s law.  See Numbers 1:2-3.  But maybe, David was doing it this time out of pride, because in the prior chapter, David gained all these victories even over giants. In any event, “God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel.”  We will cover the following points.

First, we need to be aware of the presence and purpose of Satan.  “Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.”  Verse 1.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:8-9.  

Second, we need to seek and follow wise counsel a/k/a advice.  Joab wisely warned David (see verse 3), but David did not follow it.

“A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,” Proverbs 1:5.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” Proverbs 12:15.

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.” Proverbs 19:20.

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.” Psalm 32:8-10.

Third, we need to learn what pleases God and what does not please God.  Sometimes, it is not so clear.  

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”  Colossians 1:9-12.

Ephesians 5:1-21 contains examples of what pleases God and what does not please God. We are reminded and exhorted: “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10.

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” John 6:28.

But, there is hope!

“Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:29.

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

“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.

“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.

“… “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Luke 3:22.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:4-8.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. … In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:3-6 and 10-12.

“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.

In summary, God will Himself do what pleases Him. It is His good pleasure that we (the elect) are in Christ in Whom He is well-pleased and through Whom He will provide all that we need to please Him.

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

In other words, we do not begin our search for wisdom as to what will please God by examining ourselves and trying to figure out what we should do. Rather, we begin our search for wisdom by seeking to know God and have a proper belief in God.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession.

Article 1: That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.

Moreover, regarding the above verse, “knowledge of the Holy One” leads us to meditate on what the LORD does for His good pleasure. The LORD will certainly use us, BUT He will give us both the Will to do His good pleasure and He will work within us for His good pleasure. “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

Even in the exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 above (“as to how you ought to walk and please God”), there is the encouragement “(just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”

In other words, let us never turn our eyes away from faith in the LORD to turn our eyes on ourselves, on our self, our own will, and our own works, thinking the solution is just that we need to try harder in our flesh. “and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8.

Remember the John 15:6 Scripture above: “Abide in Me, and I in you.”

“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.

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

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 20.

“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the sons of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah.  But David stayed at Jerusalem.  And Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it.  David took the crown of their king from his head, and he found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it;  and it was placed on David’s head.  And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.  He brought out the people who were in it, and cut them with saws and with sharp instruments and with axes.  And thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon.  Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Now it came about after this, that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines;  then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the giants, and they were subdued.  And there was war with the Philistines again, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.  Again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot;  and he also was descended from the giants.  When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.  These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”  1 Chronicles chapter 20.

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“‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10.

We should not be afraid of the giants in our land.  Nor should we be afraid of the Goliaths in our land.  For the theme of our devotion, the giants in our land symbolize the difficult problems, and the Goliaths in our land symbolize the difficult people.   

“11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:10-14.

“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you;  I will not fail you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous;  be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you;  do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.  This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;  for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:5-9.

As I summarize from the next Scriptures, sometimes Jesus calms the sea. But, other times, Jesus calms our hearts. In either case, Jesus is with us and gives us His peace by His presence with us.

In John 6:16-20, Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea to Capernaum when the sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. The disciples were frightened. Jesus said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid”.

In the very next verse, John 6:21 then simply tells us: “They were willing therefore to receive Him into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going”.

The key to this passage is not that the sea became calm. (It is not mentioned in this passage whether or not the sea became calm.) The key is that as soon as they were willing to receive Him, the boat was at the land to which they were going.

In a storm, man thinks: “I need safety. I need the wind to stop blowing and the seas to calm. If this storm does not stop, I will die. Jesus, calm the seas.”

Sometimes, Jesus may calm the seas. However, what is most important is Jesus’ presence with us. Even if the wind continues to blow and the sea rages, if Jesus is with us, we have His peace by His presence with us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:26-27.