Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 18.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+18&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor;  and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.  2 Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria.  And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.  3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?”  And he said to him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle.”

4 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.”  5 Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?”  And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”  6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here that we may inquire of him?”  7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil.  He is Micaiah, son of Imla.”  But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”

…

12 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. So please let your word be like one of them and speak favorably.”  13 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.”

14 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?”  He said, “Go up and succeed, for they will be given into your hand.”  15 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”  16 So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
Like sheep which have no shepherd;
And the Lord said,
‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

…

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead.  29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes.”  So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.  30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.”  31 So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him.  But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him.  32 When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.  33 A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor.  So he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.”  34 The battle raged that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans until the evening;  and at sunset he died.”  2 Chronicles chapter 18:  Verses 1-7 and 12-16 and 28-34.

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The previous chapter details all the actions by which Jehoshaphat king of Judah acted wisely.  This chapter details all the actions by which Jehoshaphat acted foolishly.

It is quite amazing to see this shift into foolishness so soon.  And, it is also quite amazing to see the extent of this foolishness.  First, Jehoshaphat allied himself with wicked Ahab, king of Israel.  Second,  Jehoshaphat could have still tried to distance himself from the desires and actions of Ahab, but we see that he quickly agrees to go with Ahab to fight against Ramoth-gilead.  Third, Jehoshaphat does not heed the warning of Micaiah, even though Jehoshaphat himself requested the advice of a true prophet.  Fourth, in a final display of foolishness, Jehoshaphat followed the direction of Ahab to dress for battle in a king’s robe even though Ahab disguised himself (thus obviously drawing the attention of the battle upon himself alone).

Scripture, by this quick shift, makes sure we are humble and do not trust in the wisdom of our own actions.

Before we dismiss Jehoshaphat, we do see that Jehoshaphat did one thing right.   Jehoshaphat “cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him.”  Verse 31.

Like Jehoshaphat, we too may do an amazing number of foolish things.  And, some of those foolish things may be quite dangerous for us.

But, there is hope!

Like Jehoshaphat, we too can cry out to our LORD.  The LORD will help us too, like the LORD helped foolish Jehoshaphat.

Reformed Doctrine teaches that the LORD is not surprised nor disgusted with His Elect even though they certainly do foolish things.  The LORD knows our natural condition of “Total Depravity”.

Unlike Israel who had no shepherd after Ahab died according to the prophesy of Micaiah, we have a Good Shepherd Who realizes that we are as dumb as sheep, but Who will never leave us nor forsake us.

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.”  Psalm 34:17.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”  Hebrews 13:5.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+17&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm.  2 He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had captured.

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.  5 So the Lord established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.  6 He took great pride in the ways of the Lord and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;  8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites;  and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.  9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the Lord with them;  and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10 Now the dread of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. 12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.”  2 Chronicles 17:1-12.

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In summary, Jehoshaphat followed the example of David, sought God, followed God’s commandments, took great pride in the ways of the LORD, removed idols, and taught Scripture to the people.

Other doctrine would simply teach:  “Just do likewise!”

But, Reformed Doctrine first humbles itself and admits:  “I am far from being all that I should be.  Today’s Scripture about Jehoshaphat confronts me with my sinful nature in comparison to him.” 

Then, Reformed Doctrine looks to Christ and flees to Him, “seeking the remission of sin and righteousness in Christ” and believing that “by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.”

“Q. 115.  Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

 A.  First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin and righteousness in Christ;  likewise, that we constantly endeavor, and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us in a life to come.”  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.”  Heidelberg Catechism.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 16.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the king’s house, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying, 3 “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as between my father and your father.  Behold, I have sent you silver and gold;  go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me.”  4 So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim and all the store cities of Naphtali.  5 When Baasha heard of it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and stopped his work.  6 Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand.  8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen?  Yet because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.  9 For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.  You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”  2 Chronicles 16:1-9.

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“5 Thus says the Lord,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8.

“13 O Lord, the hope of Israel,
All who forsake You will be put to shame.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord.
14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;
Save me and I will be saved,
For You are my praise.”  Jeremiah 17:13-14.

Other doctrine may pay some amount of lip service to God, but it turns away to trust in mankind.

But, Reformed Doctrine recognizes in its first point of “Total Depravity” in “TULIP” that there is no hope in mankind and that from the beginning to the end its hope and trust must solely be in the LORD.  Throughout “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, Reformed Doctrine thoroughly trusts in the LORD.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 15.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+15&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin:  the Lord is with you when you are with Him.  And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him;  but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.  3 For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law.  4 But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.  5 In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands.  6 Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.  7 But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”  2 Chronicles 15:1-7.

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We read in the rest of the chapter that Asa did institute reforms, and we also read of the reward that there was no more wars until the 35th year of Asa’s reign.  Verse 19.

“And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!”  Psalm 58:11.

“The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.”  Psalm 18:20.

“May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  Ruth 2:12.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 14.

“1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place.  The land was undisturbed for ten years during his days.

2 Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, 3 for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, 4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment.  5 He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah.  And the kingdom was undisturbed under him.  6 He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the Lord had given him rest.  7 For he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars.  The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God;  we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.”  So they built and prospered.  8 Now Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, bearing shields and wielding bows;  all of them were valiant warriors.

9 Now Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah.  10 So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.  11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength;  so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude.  O Lord, You are our God;  let not man prevail against You.”  12 So the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.  13 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar;  and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the Lord and before His army.  And they carried away very much plunder.  14 They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the Lord had fallen on them;  and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.  15 They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels.  Then they returned to Jerusalem.”   2 Chronicles chapter 14.

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Although “Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God” verse 2, and although Asa “removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment” verses 3 and 4, Asa based his prayer request in verse 11 on the following three points, rather than on what he (Asa) or they (Judah) had done.

In sharp contrast, other doctrine bases their prayer requests and expectations for what God will do for them on their works or on their alleged free-will choice of God to save them or based on the repetition and earnestness and eloquence of their prayers.

I will point out three things in Asa’s prayer that remind us of Reformed Doctrine. 

First, Asa points out their complete dependence on God:  “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength  … so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You”.

Likewise, in the first point of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, which is “Total Depravity”, Reformed Doctrine shows why there is such complete dependence on God, why “there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength”.  “Total Depravity” clearly shows that there is no personal merit in themselves which would motivate God to help them, and there is no personal merit in others that would give them a reasonable expectation that others will truly and fully help them.

Second, Asa points out that that God is their God:  “O Lord, You are our God … and in Your name have come against this multitude”.

Likewise, in the beginning of Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 1, we see the comfort and expectation of believers is based on the fact that “I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ” which is consistent with Asa’s declaration “O Lord, You are our God”.

Third, Asa pleads “let not man prevail against You” recognizing that God will also act for His own sake.

We also see elsewhere in Scripture that God acts for His own sake.  For example in Ezekiel 20:44, we read:  “Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord God.’”

Likewise, Reformed Doctrine believes that even if we do not deserve such help, God unconditionally chose us, the second point of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, which is “Unconditional Election”, so God will help those whom He has chosen for His own sake.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 13.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+13&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.  2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.

Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.  3 Abijah began the battle with an army of valiant warriors, 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in battle formation against him with 800,000 chosen men who were valiant warriors.

4 Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel:  5 Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?  6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master, 7 and worthless men gathered about him, scoundrels, who proved too strong for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he was young and timid and could not hold his own against them.

8 “So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the Lord through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you.  9 Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of other lands?  Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods.  10 But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him;  and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the Lord as priests, and the Levites attend to their work.  11 Every morning and evening they burn to the Lord burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening;  for we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken Him.  12 Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you.  O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

13 But Jeroboam had set an ambush to come from the rear, so that Israel was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.  14 When Judah turned around, behold, they were attacked both front and rear;  so they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets.  15 Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.  16 When the sons of Israel fled before Judah, God gave them into their hand.  17 Abijah and his people defeated them with a great slaughter, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.  18 Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their fathers.”  2 Chronicles 13:1-18.

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In today’s Scripture, we see three elements of trust in God.  

First, there is a recognition of being chosen.  “Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?”  Verse 5.

Second, there is attendance to the things of God.  “Every morning and evening they burn to the Lord burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening;  for we keep the charge of the Lord our God …”  Verse 11.

Third, there is an expectation of reward.  “Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you.  O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”  Verse 12.  See also Hebrews 11:6.

Other doctrine may have one or two of these elements, but this is not sufficient trust in God.

There is doctrine that has quite an elaborate and detailed liturgy that they continually and faithfully follow.

There is also doctrine that focuses on personal prosperity as if one could achieve it just be believing harder.

But, Reformed Doctrine has all three elements. 

Reformed Doctrine people believe that they are chosen.  They don’t believe that they are chosen because of any personal merit.  They are humble believing that they are naturally  people of “Total Depravity”, but God unconditionally elected them to salvation.  “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone) is one of the Five Solas of the Reformation.

Reformed Doctrine people also attend to the things of God.  They believe in the Regulative Principle of Worship, that Scripture alone prescribes how we are to worship God and that we cannot add our own elements of worship no matter how much they may be “seeker sensitive” or otherwise wise to us.

Reformed Doctrine people also believe that there are rewards from God to those who seek Him.  However, in sharpest contrast to only temporary and earthly riches of the Prosperity Gospel, these rewards are eternal and heavenly.  “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.”  Romans 8:29-30.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the Lord.  2 And it came about in King Rehoboam’s fifth year, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem 3 with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen.  And the people who came with him from Egypt were without number:  the Lubim, the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.  4 He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.  5 Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the princes of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak.’”  6 So the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.”

7 When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves so I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak.  8 But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”  2 Chronicles 12:1-8.

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We like to think of ourselves as free.  But, we are going to be slaves of someone.  We are either going to be the slaves of God or slaves of Satan.

“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”  Romans 6:16.

Other doctrine thinks it is free under its belief in free-will and teaches that we need to just try harder to do the works or at least try harder to choose correctly.  But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that due to our “Total Depravity” nature, we do not have the necessary ability nor even the necessary will to do the works or to even choose correctly.

“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.”  Romans 3:10-12.

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death.”  Romans 6:20-21.

We need the sovereignty and the almighty power of the God of Scriptures shown by Reformed Doctrine to deal with our natural condition of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

So, whom do you trust to choose?

Do you trust yourself to choose correctly or do you trust God to choose correctly?

Therefore, we should not resent and bristle against the sovereignty of God in Reformed Doctrine, but rather, we should be thankful that God made the choice and that we were chosen “before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”  Ephesians 1:4.

“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.”  Romans 6:20-22.

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching (Reformed Doctrine) to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”  Romans 6:17-18.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+11&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.  But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not go up or fight against your relatives; return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.”’”  So they listened to the words of the Lord and returned from going against Jeroboam.”  2 Chronicles 11:1-4.

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We see the will of man.  In this case, it is the will of Rehoboam to fight against Israel to restore the kingdom (of Israel) to himself.

But again, as always, the will of God prevailed against the will of man.

“9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:9-10.

Today’s Scripture also makes us think of the verses in yesterday’s devotion.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.”  Proverbs 21:1.

“The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9.

“10 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.”  Psalm 33:10-11.

Other doctrine teaches about man and man’s alleged free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine knows the sovereign God of Scripture and rightly exalts Him.

Today comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 10.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+10&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.  2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), Jeroboam returned from Egypt.  3 So they sent and summoned him.  When Jeroboam and all Israel came, they spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”  5 He said to them, “Return to me again in three days.”  So the people departed.

6 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”  7 They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”  8 But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.

…

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.”  13 The king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders.  14 He spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it;  my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”  15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the Lord might establish His word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”  2 Chronicles Chapter 10:  Verses 1-8 and 12-15.

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Other doctrine is content to focus solely on what man should do, in this case, following the counsel of elders.

Although Reformed Doctrine also emphasizes the importance of elders and following their advice and warning against the danger of forsaking their advice, Reformed Doctrine teaches that it is not just about man and what man should do, God’s sovereignty and God’s will supersede mans’ actions.  In today’s Scripture, we learn that the king did not listen to the elders, because “it was a turn of events from God that the Lord might establish His word”.  Verse 15.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.”  Proverbs 21:1.

“The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9.

“10 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.”  Psalm 33:10-11.

“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.

“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.

God accomplishes all of His good pleasure.  Total Perfect Triumph.