Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 2:1-9.

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.”   Proverbs 2:1-9.

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“5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.”  Proverbs 1:5-6.T

Today’s Scripture is like a riddle in the sense of the foregoing Proverbs 1:6.

One of the definitions of a riddle is “something or someone difficult to understand”.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary –  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riddle

On the one hand, it is true that wisdom is valuable as silver or hidden treasure, worthy of diligent search.  Verse 4.

On the other hand, it is also true that the LORD gives wisdom, even stores up wisdom for the upright.  Verses 6-7.

Other doctrine may work hard for wisdom.  Other doctrine may have zeal.  Other doctrine may search the Scriptures as if searching for silver or hidden treasure.  But, other doctrine fails to come to Christ.

“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.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  John 5:39-40.

But, Reformed Doctrine recognizes and teaches what God has done for us, including what Christ has done for us, from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“… He preserves the way of His godly ones.”  Verse 8.

Our treasure is Christ.  Our wisdom is Christ.

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

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 150.

“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.

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God’s mighty deeds call for mighty praise of Him.

God’s excellent greatness deserve excellent great praise of Him.

“Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”  Verse 2.

Today’s Scripture, the concluding chapter of the Book of Psalms, comes to a crescendo and shows us what praise of God is according to His excellent greatness.

According to God’s excellent greatness, praise of Him alerts people and gets their attention and their focus on God.  

“Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.”  Verse 3.

According to God’s excellent greatness, praise of Him is joyful.

“Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.”  Verse 4.

According to God’s excellent greatness, praise of Him is loud and resounding.

“Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.”  Verse 5.

According to God’s excellent greatness, praise of Him is with all and every breath that we have.  Praise is with all of our mind, heart, soul, and strength.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!”  Verse 6.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 149.

“Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with dancing;
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

5 Let the godly ones exult in glory;
Let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishment on the peoples,
8 To bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 To execute on them the judgment written;
This is an honor for all His godly ones.
Praise the Lord!”  Psalm chapter 149.

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There is a change in focus from all the elements of creation being exhorted to praise the LORD in Psalm chapter 148 to a focus on God’s godly ones being exhorted to praise the LORD in this Psalm chapter 149.

We see that focus on God’s godly ones in the use of words and phrases “godly ones”, “Israel”, “sons of Zion”, and “His people” that I have highlighted above in bold italic font.

Yes, all creation should praise the LORD.  Psalm chapter 148.

But, at the top of God’s creation and with a sense of God’s special blessing of salvation of them, God’s godly ones should above all lead the praise of the LORD.  Psalm chapter 149.

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”  Verse 4.

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 148.

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,
And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
Praise for all His godly ones;
Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
Praise the Lord!”  Psalm chapter 148.

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Other doctrine tries to chip away that God created heaven and earth and that He is sovereign and totally controls every element of creation.

But, Reformed Doctrine cheerfully chirps every element of creation and commands them to praise the LORD.

“Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.”  Verse 5.

Everything fulfills God’s word.

“Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;”  Verse 8.

From the beginning of the chapter …

“Praise the Lord!  …”  Verse 1.

To the end of the chapter …

“…  Praise the Lord!”  Verse 14.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 147.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+147&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them.
5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord supports the afflicted;
He brings down the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises to our God on the lyre,
8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who provides rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
9 He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens which cry.
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.”  Psalm 147:1-11.

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Other doctrine continually looks at itself and what it has done, taking pleasure in itself.

But, Reformed Doctrine continually looks at God and what He has done, fearing God and waiting for His lovingkindness.

“13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.”  Psalm 33:13-22.

“12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your sons within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.”  Psalm 147:12-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 146.

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.

8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous;
9 The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!”  Psalm chapter 146.

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Other doctrine focuses on man and trusts in man.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and trusts in God.

“Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.”  Verse 3.

“My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.”  Psalm 62:1.

Reformed Doctrine trusts God alone for salvation from beginning to the end:  from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,”  Verse 5.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm 145:14-21.

“14 The Lord sustains all who fall
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You,
And You give them their food in due time.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
And kind in all His deeds.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.”  Psalm 145:14-21.

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Many would only quote verses 14 to 17 to maintain that God loves everybody and shows common grace to everybody.

But, we see that the following verses, so to speak, cut in half and even cut again into a quarter the group to which God shows such grace.

First, we see the sharp cut between those who love God and the wicked.

“The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.”  Verse 20.

Second, we see within this group who appear to love God the cut between those who merely call upon Him and those who call upon Him in truth.

“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.”  Verse 18.

In other words, God shows grace to only those who call upon Him in truth.  It is insufficient for those who profess that they love God to call upon God upon their own terms and agenda.

There are those who call upon God but not according to truth.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:1-4.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:23-24.

“‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”  Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7.

“and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.”  2 Thessalonians 2:10.

In summary, the following Scripture puts it together.  There is an emotional love that comes from God through the heart.  And, there is an intellectual love that encompasses knowledge and love of the truth that also comes from God but through the mind.  We are commanded to love God with all of our heart and with all of our mind.

“And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  And He said to him, “What is written in the Law?  How does it read to you?”  And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind;  and your neighbor as yourself.”  Luke 10:25-27.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm 145:1-13.

“I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
9 The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”  Psalm 145:1-13.

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Other doctrine focuses on man and what man has done and should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine, consistent with this Scripture, focuses on God and what God has done.

“Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.”  Verse 6.

“They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.”  Verse 7.

“11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.”  Verses 11-12.

“One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.”  Verse 4.

Other doctrine cling to a false claim of free-will in man.

But, Reformed Doctrine proclaims God’s kingdom and dominion.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”  Verse 13.