Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+11&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages;  but if not, never mind!”  So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.  Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.”  So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”  Zechariah 11:12-13.

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There is both prophecy and sarcasm in today’s Scripture which primarily points to the thirty shekels price for Jesus (agreed between Judas and the chief priests and elders that Judas would betray Jesus for thirty shekels of silver).

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”  But they said, “What is that to us?  See to that yourself!”  And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed;  and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.”  And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.  For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.  Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:  “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET BY THE SONS OF ISRAEL;  AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”  Matthew 27:3-9.

Thus, we see that the sons of Israel placed little value on the life of Jesus.

We may all rush in condemnation of the sons of Israel without realizing that we too may place too little value on the life of Jesus.

Some may think of Jesus as only one who was a good example and taught good lessons by which we should live.

But even those who think of Jesus as a Savior may think that the blood of Jesus is only effective to save those who first do good works or choose Him, rather than recognizing the full value of Jesus’ blood as fully effectual to save all those elect of God the Father for whom it was shed.  There is warning in Scripture:  “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”  Hebrews 10:29.  It is not that those people are being hateful to the blood of Jesus, but in a sense they are putting too little value on it and trampling it by treating the blood as ineffective to save by itself, like the description in Matthew 5: 13:  “…if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?  It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

Thus, other doctrine does place too little value on the life of Jesus.

But, here is what Reformed Doctrine states:

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.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“in whom (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  …

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  …  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:3 and 9-10 and 13-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah 10:6-12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+10&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph,
And I will bring them back,
Because I have had compassion on them;
And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
For I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
7 “Ephraim will be like a mighty man,
And their heart will be glad as if from wine;
Indeed, their children will see it and be glad,
Their heart will rejoice in the LORD.
8 “I will whistle for them to gather them together,
For I have redeemed them;
And they will be as numerous as they were before.
9 “When I scatter them among the peoples,
They will remember Me in far countries,
And they with their children will live and come back.
10 “I will bring them back from the land of Egypt
And gather them from Assyria;
And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon
Until no room can be found for them.
11 “And they will pass through the sea of distress
And He will strike the waves in the sea,
So that all the depths of the Nile will dry up;
And the pride of Assyria will be brought down
And the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 “And I will strengthen them in the LORD,
And in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”  Zechariah 10:6-12.

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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.”  Isaiah 54:7-8.

We can hope that we will do something to strengthen ourselves and save ourselves or at least make us worthy of the LORD’s compassion.

It makes sense, and other doctrine based on man’s sense teaches that is our only hope and that is what we need to do.

But, what does Scripture state?

“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.

“And I will strengthen them in the LORD,
And in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”  Verse 12.

Accordingly, Reformed Doctrine teaches the LORD’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Article 9.  … election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him …”  Ephesians 1:4.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

“19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
In lovingkindness and in compassion,
20 And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.
Then you will know the LORD.”  Hosea 2:19-20.

“… I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion,
And I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”  Hosea 2:23.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 9.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following chapter –

“9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
And the horse from Jerusalem;
And the bow of war will be cut off.
And He will speak peace to the nations;
And His dominion will be from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you,
I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope;
This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.
13 For I will bend Judah as My bow,
I will fill the bow with Ephraim.
And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece;
And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then the Lord will appear over them,
And His arrow will go forth like lightning;
And the Lord God will blow the trumpet,
And will march in the storm winds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts will defend them.
And they will devour and trample on the sling stones;
And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine;
And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin,
Drenched like the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God will save them in that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are as the stones of a crown,
Sparkling in His land.
17 For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!
Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.”  Zechariah 9:9-17.

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Other doctrine presents their god who urges its disciples to save themselves whether it be by a lot (works) or by a little (will to be saved).

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the God of Scripture Who is “endowed with salvation” (verse 9) and Who, by the blood of His covenant, sets prisoners of sin free from hopelessness symbolized by the waterless pit (verse 11).

“For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.”  Jeremiah 31:11.

At worst, other doctrine presents their disciples who are always anxious, never sure of doing enough, and always fearful of losing their salvation.

At best, other doctrine presents their disciples who are satisfied with their own goodness.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents its disciples who are satisfied with the goodness of God and who are beautiful even “radiant”, “Sparkling”, and “boisterous”.  They “shout for joy” even “Shout in triumph”, because the LORD of hosts has done all that is needed for their salvation.

“16 And the LORD their God will save them in that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are as the stones of a crown,
Sparkling in His land.
17 For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!
Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.”  Verses 16-17.

“10 Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
And declare in the coastlands afar off,
And say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him
And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.”
11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
12 “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion,
And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—
Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,
And over the young of the flock and the herd;
And their life will be like a watered garden,
And they will never languish again.
13 “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
14 “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:10-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 8.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Just as I purposed to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I have not relented, so I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.  Do not fear!  These are the things which you should do:  speak the truth to one another;  judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.  Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury;  for all these are what I hate,’ declares the LORD.”  Zechariah 8:14-17.

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Today’s Scripture talk about the purposes of the LORD of hosts summarized by doctrine as the sovereignty of the LORD.

Other doctrine rebel against the sovereignty of the LORD.

“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 sovereignty of the LORD.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13.

“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.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 7.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah saying, “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;  and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor;  and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’  But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.  They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets;  therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.  And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts;  “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known.  Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate.”  Zechariah 7:8-14.

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How many want and expect God to be at their “beck and call”!

But, they will not read His Word.  They will not attend church.  They will not trust Him nor obey Him.  Yet, they expect that they can summon God and He will come running to them and will answer their prayer requests.

Today’s Scriptures make it clear that God will not do so.  Instead, God will punish those who will not listen to Him.

“24 “Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel
And did not want my reproof;
26 I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30 “They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.”  Proverbs 1:24-32.

“The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you.  There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.”  Deuteronomy 4:27-28.

But, there is hope!

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.  When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.  For the LORD your God is a compassionate God;  He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.”  Deuteronomy 4:29-31.

“But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”  Proverbs 1:33.

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:  the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today;  and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.”  Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

“17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you in the way you should go.
18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments!
Then your well-being would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 “Your descendants would have been like the sand,
And your offspring like its grains;
Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from My presence.”  Isaiah 48:17-19.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 6.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is;  and He will build the temple of the LORD.  Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’  Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah.  Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.”  Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.  And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.”  Zechariah 6:11-15.

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There is Joshua who was a priest.  A silver and gold ornate crown was placed on his head symbolizing the royalty of the priesthood of God’s elect.  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession …”  1 Peter 2:9.

Joshua worked on the house of 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 1:14.

“Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.”  Verse 15.

And, there is Branch, Whom we know from Scripture to be God’s Son Jesus Christ Who is also a priest.  For example, see Isaiah 11:1-10.  In today’s Scripture, we read:  “He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne”.  Verse 13.

Although Joshua and Jesus are both priests who both worked on the house of the LORD, Jesus is a different and superior priest as shown by the following Scripture.

“15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.  17 For it is attested of Him,

“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OFMELCHIZEDEK.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:17-26.

We are reminded of Jesus’ words:  “… I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Matthew 16:18.

What is the meaning of “the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”?  Verse 13.  There is peace between the office of the elect, “a royal priesthood” (symbolized by Joshua) and the office of the Branch (Jesus), “A PRIEST FOREVER” as shown by the following Scriptures.

“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!’”  Haggai 2:4-5.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20.

“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 14:27.

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.