Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 7, 2016

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

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm 18:20-36.

“20 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all His ordinances were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.
23 I was also blameless with Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
24 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

25 With the kind You show Yourself kind;
With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
26 With the pure You show Yourself pure,
And with the crooked You show Yourself astute.
27 For You save an afflicted people,
But haughty eyes You abase.
28 For You light my lamp;
The Lord my God illumines my darkness.
29 For by You I can run upon a troop;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.

30 As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the Lord is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

31 For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God,
32 The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless?
33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet,
And sets me upon my high places.
34 He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your right hand upholds me;
And Your gentleness makes me great.
36 You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped.”  Psalm 18:20-36.

————————————–

At first, when we read verses 20-26, David may seem like he is boasting.  But, verses 27-36 show that he attributes whatever virtues that he has to God.

“27 For You save an afflicted people,
But haughty eyes You abase.
28 For You light my lamp;
The Lord my God illumines my darkness.
29 For by You I can run upon a troop;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.”  Verses 27-29.  (Emphasis added by Bill).

David may be blameless, so to speak, but God made his way blameless.  Verse 32.

God gave him the shield of salvation.  Verse 35.

God’s right hand upheld him.  Verse 35.

David’s feet did not slip, because God enlarged his steps under him.  Verse 36.

“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.

Other doctrine focuses on its own wisdom, works, and will.

But, Reformed Doctribute attributes whatever virtues it has to God and what God has done from His “Unconditional Election” to His “Limited Atonement” to His “Irresistible Grace” to His “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Other doctrine boasts in what it has done.

But, Reformed Doctrine boasts in the LORD and what He has done.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 6, 2016

“He delivered me from my strong enemy” – “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm 18:1-19.

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me,
And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

7 Then the earth shook and quaked;
And the foundations of the mountains were trembling
And were shaken, because He was angry.
8 Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
And fire from His mouth devoured;
Coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With thick darkness under His feet.
10 He rode upon a cherub and flew;
And He sped upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him,
Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
12 From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
14 He sent out His arrows, and scattered them,
And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them.

15 Then the channels of water appeared,
And the foundations of the world were laid bare
At Your rebuke, O Lord,
At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”  Psalm 18:1-19.

———————————

Our enemies do not only include men on earth;  our “strong enemy” is Satan to whom we were enslaved until we were delivered by God.  

“16 And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
18 According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will make recompense.”  Isaiah 59:16-18.

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:1-7.

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?  And then he will plunder his house.”  Matthew 12:28-29.

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”  Romans 16:20.

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  Hebrews 2:14-15. 

“… The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”  1 John 3:8.

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also;  and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:10.

Here is what the Reformed Confessions state in part about Christ delivering us from the devil.

Q. 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

 A.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, … restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good;  and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.  Westminster Larger Catechism.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 5, 2016

“Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+17&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my judgment come forth from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look with equity.
3 You have tried my heart;
You have visited me by night;
You have tested me and You find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips
I have kept from the paths of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to Your paths.
My feet have not slipped.

6 I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
7 Wondrously show Your lovingkindness,
O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9 From the wicked who despoil me,
My deadly enemies who surround me.

…

15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”  Psalm 17:1-9 and 15.

————————————-

“Keep me as the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings”  Verse 8.

We find similar images as “apple of the eye” and “wings” in Deuteronomy 32:9-14.

“9 “For the Lord’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance.
10 “He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
11 “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
That hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them,
He carried them on His pinions.
12 “The Lord alone guided him,
And there was no foreign god with him.
13 “He made him ride on the high places of the earth,
And he ate the produce of the field;
And He made him suck honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty rock,
14 Curds of cows, and milk of the flock,
With fat of lambs,
And rams, the breed of Bashan, and goats,
With the finest of the wheat—
And of the blood of grapes you drank wine.”  Deuteronomy 32:9-14.

From this Deuteronomy Scripture, we learn that the reason why God protects us and otherwise blesses us is that God chose us.  We are “His people,” His “portion”, and “His inheritance”.  Deuteronomy 32:9.

There was nothing attractive about us as taught by “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, that motivated God to save us.  In the language of this Deuteronomy Scripture, we were lost in “a desert land”.  We were helpless in the “howling waste of a wilderness”.  Deuteronomy 32:9.

But, God “encircled” us.  God “cared” for us.  God “guarded” us “as the pupil of His eye”.  “Like an eagle”, God “spread His wings” over us and “caught” us and “carried” us.  Deuteronomy 32:10-12.

In addition to protecting us, God “wondrously” shows us His lovingkindness.  Verse 7 and Deuteronomy 32:13-14.

And, God will bring us home to heaven where we shall behold His face in righteousness, holy and blameless, and we shall be with Him and be like Him.  Verse 15.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 4, 2016

The Fullness and Richness of “Preservations of the Saints”: God provides all things to preserve us with paternal care.

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 16.

“Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”
3 As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Psalm chapter 16.

———————–

“Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.”  Verse 1.

We tend to think of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as only extending the lives of the saints and insuring that they get into heaven.  

But, today’s Scripture, Psalm chapter 16, shows us that there is a fullness and richness that God provides us in preserving us. 

We will look at seven points that stick out in this chapter, all starting with the letter “P”, but there are more things that we can find in this chapter and elsewhere in Scripture.  

Let the treasure hunt begin! 

Protection from the enemies.  “My flesh also will dwell securely.”  Verse 9.

Portion.  “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup”.  Verse 5.  The LORD will never leave us nor forsake us. 

Pleasant places.  “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;  Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.”  Verse 6.  God surrounds us with lines of generations of family and friends through which we are taught Reformed Doctrine which are pleasant places.  

Path of life.  “You will make known to me the path of life”.  Verse 11.  “He guides me in the paths of righteousness”.  Psalm 23:3.

Presence of God.  “In Your presence is fullness of joy”.  Verse 11.

Pleasures forever.  “In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Verse 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.”  Psalm 84:11.

Providence of God.  In summary, “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  Verse 8.  

As summarized by the following about the providence of God in the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism, we are persuaded that God provides all things to preserve us with paternal care.   

Article 13:  Of Divine Providence.

“… This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us.  …”  Belgic Confession.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 3, 2016

“He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 15.

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
3 He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.”   Psalm chapter 15.

—————————–

A few days ago, we read:

“For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.”  Psalm 11:7.

So, we can understand today’s Scripture:

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.”  Verses 1-2. 

But, in our last devotion, we read:

“… “There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”  Romans 3:10-11.

How is man’s “Total Depravity” reconciled with God’s love of righteousness?!

But, there is hope!  God has done it!!

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,  yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”  Colossians 1:21-22.

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  for there is no distinction;  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;  whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.”  Romans 3:21-25. 

“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 1, 2016

“Total Depravity”: “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; … There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 14.

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.
2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand,
Who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Do all the workers of wickedness not know,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call upon the Lord?
5 There they are in great dread,
For God is with the righteous generation.
6 You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted,
But the Lord is his refuge.

7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores His captive people,
Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.  Psalm chapter 14.

———————————-

“10 as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Romans 3:10-18.

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”  Ephesians 2:1-3.

Reformed Doctrine summarizes these Scriptures and other similar Scriptures as “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

When we believe “Total Depravity” with our mind, then “Unconditional Election”, the next point of “TULIP” will make logical sense, because we will understand that because we are dead in sin, there is nothing that we can contribute that will obtain or secure our salvation and that our only chance for salvation is “Unconditional Election” by God.

But, when we really believe “Total Depravity” with our heart, then our heart will rejoice about “Unconditional Election”.  We will eagerly preach and teach it.  We will pound the pulpit and shout from the rooftops about these precious truths of the gospel.

I bring out this second point about believing with our heart, because there seems to be too many who belong to Reformed or Presbyterian churches who try so hard to avoid both “Total Depravity” and “Unconditional Election”.  They can’t refute the truth of that doctrine, but they certainly can and do bristle against it and avoid it and minimize it.  They may pay lip service and mention both points in passing, but it is only in passing on the way to the conclusion of their sermon or other teaching or concluding song which emphasizes man’s works, man’s wisdom, or man’s will (choices).  The totality of their words show that they really don’t believe “Total Depravity” or “Unconditional Election”.

But, what does the Heidelberg Catechism state about our comfort and happiness?
 
Q. 2.  How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happily?

A.  Three:  the first, how great my sins and miseries are;  the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries;  the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 31, 2016

“I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 13.

“How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4 And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”    Psalm chapter 13.

————————————————-

“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”  Psalm 116:7.

“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 32:10-11.

“8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”  Psalm 52:8-9.

Other doctrine tries to earn God’s lovingkindness whether by works or by will.

Reformed Doctrine trusts and rests in God’s lovingkindness.

Other doctrine anxiously tries to just do it and is thankful for what it thinks that it contributes to obtain and secure its own salvation.

But, Reformed Doctrine rejoices and gives thanks to God forever for His salvation, because He has done it from His “Unconditional Election” to His “Limited Atonement” to His “Irresistible Grace” to His “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 30, 2016

“For the Lord loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 12.

“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2 They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
4 Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;  who is lord over us?”
5 “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;  “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”

6 The words of the Lord are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7 You, O Lord, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.
8 The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.”  Psalm chapter 12.

————————————-

“28 For the Lord loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
And dwell in it forever.”  Psalm 37:28-29.

“O love the Lord, all you His godly ones!
The Lord preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.”  Psalm 31:23.

“You are my hiding place;  You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.  Selah.”  Psalm 32:7.

“Hate evil, you who love the Lord,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”  Psalm 97:10.

“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.

Reformed Doctrine teaches “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Here is what the Canons of Dordt teach in part about “Preservation of the Saints” in FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end. 

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen; but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated. 

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.   

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 29, 2016

“For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness”

Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 11.

“In the Lord I take refuge;
How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;
2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”

4 The Lord is in His holy temple;  the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.”  Psalm chapter 11.

——————————

Other doctrine primarily seeks to understand and know man.  

But, Reformed Doctrine primarily seeks to understand and know God.  

“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.

Other doctrine focuses on teaching qualities and works of a godly man.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on teaching qualities and works of God.

For example, in today’s Scripture, see the focus on the quality of righteousness of God and the work of God showing His righteousness.

“For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness …”  Verse 7.

“Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.”  Verse 6.

Another example of Scripture where we see the focus on the qualities and works of God is presented in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2.

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 

When you read the Reformed Confessions, ask yourself:  “Do they primarily teach the qualities and works of a godly man?  Or, do they primarily teach the qualities and works of God?”

For examples, see how the first articles and questions and answers of the following Reformed Confessions focus on the qualities and works of God.

Here is the first article of 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.

Here is the first article of Canons of Dordt:

Article 1.  As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish, and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle, Romans 3:19, “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  And verse 23:”for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  And Romans 6:23:  “for the wages of sin is death.” 

Article 2.  But in this the love of God was manifested, that he sent his only begotten Son into the world, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I John 4:9.  John 3:16.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Here is the first question and answer of Heidelberg Catechism:

Q. 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

 A.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.

Here is first question and answer of Westminster’s Larger Catechism:

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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 28, 2016

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

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

I quote only the following verses.

“12 Arise, O Lord;  O God, lift up Your hand.
Do not forget the afflicted.
13 Why has the wicked spurned God?
He has said to himself, “You will not require it.”
14 You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand.
The unfortunate commits himself to You;
You have been the helper of the orphan.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever;
Nations have perished from His land.
17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear
18 To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.”  Psalm 10:12-18.

—————————–

Prior to my above-stated quote, today’s Psalm chapter 10 goes into great detail about the pride and plots and perceived prosperity of the wicked.

I quote the conclusion of the chapter in which the Psalmist recognizes that the “LORD is King forever and ever” and the LORD has “heard the desire of the humble” and “will strengthen their heart” and will “vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.”  Verses 16-18.

This morning, as I read the title to my Tampa Bay Times newspaper “Islamists’ bomb kills 65 celebrating Easter”, I pray:  “Yes, LORD, take action through Your sovereign rule and almighty power “So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.”

Other doctrine trusts princes and politicians to end terror.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts in God.

“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 146:3-10.

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