Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 5.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, there was a flying scroll.  And he said to me, “What do you see?”  And I answered, “I see a flying scroll;  its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”  Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land;  surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.  I will make it go forth,” declares the LORD of hosts, “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name;  and it will spend the night within that house and consume it with its timber and stones.”  Zechariah 5:1-4.

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“Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel and concerning Judah, and concerning all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.  Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way;  then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”  Jeremiah 36:2-3.

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

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

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”  Jeremiah 23:29.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep.  He said to me, “What do you see?”  And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it;  also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.”  Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, “What are these, my lord?”  So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?”  And I said, “No, my lord.”  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.  ‘What are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain;  and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”  Zechariah 4:1-7.

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Other doctrine focuses on man and man’s works and the might and power of man’s will, in one word the “flesh”.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God’s Spirit and the works of God’s Spirit, in one word the “Spirit”.

Other doctrine teaches that man’s flesh must produce something that distinguishes himself worthy of salvation whether it be works or the will to be saved.

But, Reformed Doctrine, consistent with today’s Scripture, teaches that God’s Spirit does the work needed for salvation and that man is saved by grace alone.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”  Romans 8:3-6.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  Galatians 5:16-18.

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”  Romans 8:9.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.

“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.

“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.

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:5-7.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 3.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.  The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan!  Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!  Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.  He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.”  Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”  Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”  So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.

And the angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.

Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.  For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua;  on one stone are seven eyes.  Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.  ‘In that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.’”  Zechariah chapter 3.

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Like Joshua, Satan accuses us.

Like Joshua, we are filthy with sin.

But, like Joshua, we are a brand plucked from the fire.  In other words, we were headed to the pit of fire with no hope in ourselves.  But, God, through His “Unconditional Election” of us for salvation, plucked us from the fire.  God did all that was necessary for our salvation.

Like Joshua, God clothed us with festal robes and a clean turban, clothes of righteousness.

And the Branch in verse 8 is God’s Son, Jesus Christ, about Whom it is said:
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and strength,
The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD,
And He will not judge by what His eyes see,
Nor make a decision by what His ears hear;
4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor,
And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth;
And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.
5 Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins,
And faithfulness the belt about His waist.

6 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little boy will lead them.
7 Also the cow and the bear will graze,
Their young will lie down together,
And the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra,
And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea.

10 Then in that day
The nations will resort to the root of Jesse,
Who will stand as a signal for the peoples;
And His resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:1-10.

And regarding the removal of iniquity in verse 9, it is said:
“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it;  and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”  Jeremiah 31:33-34.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 2.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Ho, Zion!  Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.”  For thus says the LORD of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.  For behold, I will wave My hand over them so that they will be plunder for their slaves.  Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.  Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion;  for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the LORD.  “Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people.  Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.  The LORD will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

“Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD;  for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”  Zechariah 2:7-13.

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The LORD protects His people.

The LORD dwells in the midst of His people.

“For I,’ declares the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”  Verse 5.

“Sing for joy and be glad …”  Verse 10.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The LORD was very angry with your fathers.  Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.  “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”’  But they did not listen or give heed to Me,” declares the LORD.  “Your fathers, where are they?  And the prophets, do they live forever?  But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers?  Then they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’”’”

…

“Then the angel of the LORD said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will You have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant these seventy years?”  The LORD answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious words, comforting words.  So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.  But I am very angry with the nations who are at ease;  for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster.”  Therefore thus says the LORD, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion;  My house will be built in it,” declares the LORD of hosts, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”’  Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’”  Zechariah 1:2-6 and 12-17.

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“7 “For a brief moment I forsook you,
But with great compassion I will gather you.
8 “In an outburst of anger
I hid My face from you for a moment,
But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,”
Says the LORD your Redeemer.

9 “For this is like the days of Noah to Me,
When I swore that the waters of Noah
Would not flood the earth again;
So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
Nor will I rebuke you.
10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”
Says the LORD who has compassion on you.

11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
12 “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.
13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.
14 “In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you.
15 “If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me.
Whoever assails you will fall because of you.
16 “Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals
And brings out a weapon for its work;
And I have created the destroyer to ruin.
17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 54 1:7-17.

Today’s devotion comes from Haggai chapter 2.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people saying, ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory?  And how do you see it now?  Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?  But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work;  for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.   ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst;  do not fear!’

…

“Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.  I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations;  and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another.’  ‘On that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the LORD of hosts.”  Haggai 2:2-5 and 21-23.

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The LORD chooses those on whom He would show mercy and use to accomplish His work.

“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.

“The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

“For 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.

And yet, other doctrine rebels against the LORD’s sovereign control, claiming free-will.

“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.”  Psalm 2:3-4.

But, Reformed Doctrine rejoices in the LORD’s sovereign control.

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”  1 Chronicles 16:31.

“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.

“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, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

“13 O seed of Israel His servant,
Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.
17 He also confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
As the portion of your inheritance.”
19 When they were only a few in number,
Very few, and strangers in it,
20 And they wandered about from nation to nation,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to oppress them,
And He reproved kings for their sakes, saying,
22 “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.”  1 Chronicles 16:13-24.  See also Psalm 105:6-15.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Today’s devotion comes from Haggai chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”’”  Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”  Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!  You have sown much, but harvest little;  you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied;  you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk;  you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough;  and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes.”

Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!  Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD.  “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little;  when you bring it home, I blow it away.  Why?” declares the LORD of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.  Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce.  I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him.  And the people showed reverence for the LORD.  Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke by the commission of the LORD to the people saying, “‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.”  So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people;  and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,”  Haggai 1:2-14.

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“9 Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.”  Proverbs 3:9-10.

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

Q. 1.  What is the chief and highest end of man?

A.  Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.  Westminster Larger Catechism.

“And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.”  Matthew 22:37-38.

Today’s devotion comes from Zephaniah chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“14 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away His judgments against you,
He has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
You will fear disaster no more.
16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not be afraid, O Zion;
Do not let your hands fall limp.
17 “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.
18 “I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts—
They came from you, O Zion;
The reproach of exile is a burden on them.
19 “Behold, I am going to deal at that time
With all your oppressors,
I will save the lame
And gather the outcast,
And I will turn their shame into praise and renown
In all the earth.
20 “At that time I will bring you in,
Even at the time when I gather you together;
Indeed, I will give you renown and praise
Among all the peoples of the earth,
When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,”
Says the LORD.”  Zephaniah 3:14-20.

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Notice all the actions of the LORD.  Notice the description of the LORD as “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.”  Verse 17.

And yet, other doctrine still proudly prefers to focus on man and man’s works, man’s wisdom, and man’s alleged free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine is humbly in awe of the LORD and His works.

“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.

Other doctrine presents their impotent god chained by alleged free-will of man, a god who waits for man, wrings his hands, and worries about what man may do.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the LORD of Scripture, “A victorious warrior”, Who saves every one of His elect and Who rejoices over them with shouts of joy and Who, in summary, accomplishes all of His good pleasure.

“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 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.

“The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name;
Holy is He.
4 The strength of the King loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God
And worship at His footstool;
Holy is He.”  Psalm 99:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Zephaniah chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“2 “I will completely remove all things
From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
3 “I will remove man and beast;
I will remove the birds of the sky
And the fish of the sea,
And the ruins along with the wicked;
And I will cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
4 “So I will stretch out My hand against Judah
And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place,
And the names of the idolatrous priests along with the priests.
5 “And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven,
And those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom,
6 And those who have turned back from following the LORD,
And those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.”

…

14 Near is the great day of the LORD,
Near and coming very quickly;
Listen, the day of the LORD!
In it the warrior cries out bitterly.
15 A day of wrath is that day,
A day of trouble and distress,
A day of destruction and desolation,
A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of trumpet and battle cry
Against the fortified cities
And the high corner towers.
17 I will bring distress on men
So that they will walk like the blind,
Because they have sinned against the LORD;
And their blood will be poured out like dust
And their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
Will be able to deliver them
On the day of the LORD’s wrath;
And all the earth will be devoured
In the fire of His jealousy,
For He will make a complete end,
Indeed a terrifying one,
Of all the inhabitants of the earth.”  Zephaniah 1:2-6 and 14-18.

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The completeness of the destruction and desolation in the day of the LORD is the focus of this devotion.

Although the LORD will preserve a remnant as stated in Zephaniah chapter 3 and other Scripture, the purpose of this Scripture is to emphasize the completeness and extent of such destruction and desolation.

“I will completely remove all things
From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.”  Verse 2.

“… For He will make a complete end,
Indeed a terrifying one,
Of all the inhabitants of the earth.”  Verse 18.

Therefore, no one should be smug.  We are reminded in the last Scripture that we covered (the prior chapter) that even righteous Habakkuk trembled.  Habukkuk 3:16.  We should all fear the LORD.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:10-12.

Today’s devotion comes from Habakkuk chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For the salvation of Your anointed.
You struck the head of the house of the evil
To lay him open from thigh to neck.  Selah.
14 You pierced with his own spears
The head of his throngs.
They stormed in to scatter us;
Their exultation was like those
Who devour the oppressed in secret.
15 You trampled on the sea with Your horses,
On the surge of many waters.

16 I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.  …”  Habakkuk 3:13-19.

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Other doctrine presents a god of their desires and imaginations of only mercy who loves everyone, a kind of Santa Claus.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the God of Scripture, a God of both wrath and mercy, Who only loved His people, His chosen ones, and Who, as part of their salvation, destroyed the wicked with much fierceness and power.

On His chariots of salvation, the LORD raged.

“8 Did the LORD rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?
9 Your bow was made bare,
The rods of chastisement were sworn.  Selah.
You cleaved the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw You and quaked;
The downpour of waters swept by.
The deep uttered forth its voice,
It lifted high its hands.
11 Sun and moon stood in their places;
They went away at the light of Your arrows,
At the radiance of Your gleaming spear.
12 In indignation You marched through the earth;
In anger You trampled the nations.”  Verses 8-12.

If the righteous like Habakkuk were saved through fearing and trembling (verse 16), then what will happen to the wicked who trifle with the LORD, rebel against Him, and think they can control and manipulate Him?!

“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 2:9-12.