Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:26-37.

“26 Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord.  Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today.  27 Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.  28 They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the Lord.  29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.  30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

31 Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah.  He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years.  And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  32 He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord.  33 The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel.  He acted wickedly in so doing.  36 So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.  37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.”  So the ships were broken and could not go to Tarshish.  2 Chronicles 20:26-37.

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Considering the sins of Jehoshaphat mentioned in verses 33 to 37, it is remarkable and encouraging that there still was this conclusion about Jehoshaphat in verse 32:  “He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord.”

Even though we too may continue to sin like Jehoshaphat, God disciplines us to correct us, forgives us, and considers us blameless in Christ.

Scripture here does not specifically record Jehoshaphat’s reaction to the mild discipline of the destruction of his ships.  But, we know generally, that sometimes the discipline may be mild, because the discipline quickly gets our attention and easily corrects us.

But, whether the discipline is mild or severe, we should accept it and endure, trusting that it is for our good that we may live in holiness, peace, and righteousness, as from the hand of our Heavenly Father.

“7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons;  for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them;  shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;  yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  Hebrews 12:7-11.

“17 And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
18 Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,
And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places;”  Isaiah 32:17-18.

“So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.”  Verse 30.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:20-30.

“20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa;  and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established.  Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”  21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah;  so they were routed.  23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely;  and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.  25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry.  And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.

26 Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord.  Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today.  27 Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.  28 They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the Lord.  29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.  30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.”   2 Chronicles 20:20-30.

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Today’s Scripture shows how zealously God favors His people and fights against their enemies such that Judah only needed to “stand and see the salvation of the Lord”.  We remember the verse from the preceding Scripture:  “You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:17.

Other doctrine teaches that “God loves everybody!” as if it is only fair and that by saying it enough and passionately will make it so.

But, we see in today’s Scripture that God did not love the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah.  He utterly destroyed them.

Likewise, we see what the LORD did to the inhabitants of Canaan when the LORD brought His chosen people into the land to take possession of it.

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them.  You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them.  … For you are a holy people to the Lord your God;  the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”  Deuteronomy 7:1, 2, and 6.

“… he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”  Zechariah 2:8.

“7 Arise, O Lord;  save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Your blessing be upon Your people!  Selah.”  Psalm 3:7-8.

What would we think of our earthly father if someone broke into our home and we cried out to our father for help, but instead of fighting against the intruder, he paused and said to us:  “Well, I love everybody.”? 

Such thought is ridiculous.  It just would not happen.

We may have been bad children, but our earthly father would use every ounce of strength and wisdom and passion to fight against the intruder.

How much more will our Heavenly Father utterly destroy our enemies!

Reformed Doctrine teaches that the trust in the LORD is based in part that God has chosen us and will do everything good for us. 

“8 “But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.”  Isaiah 41:8-12.

“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.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation  through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:14-19.

“14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;  15 and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.  17 You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.  19 The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”    2 Chronicles 20:14-19.

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“But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today;  for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.”  Exodus 14:13.

“23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him;
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from him;
But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.”  Psalm 22:23-24.

“8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.”  Psalm 33:8-9.

“22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:

“Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale;

23 But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,
They will sanctify My name;
Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob
And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24 “Those who err in mind will know the truth,
And those who criticize will accept instruction.”  Isaiah 29:22-24.

Which doctrine is more consistent with this:  “station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf” in today’s Scripture and other similar Scriptures?

Other doctrine which is all about man, man’s alleged free-will, and the doing of man?

Or, Reformed Doctrine which is all about God, His will, and His work which accomplishes salvation for us from “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation?

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 20:1-13.

“1 Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.  2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).”  3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord;  they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord before the new court, 6 and he said, “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens?  And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations?  Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.  7 Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?  8 They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9 ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’  10 Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11 see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance.  12 O our God, will You not judge them?  For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us;  nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

¹³ All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.”  2 Chronicles 20:1-13.

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The eyes of other doctrine are on man and man’s alleged free-will.

But, the eyes of Reformed Doctrine are on “our God”.

Other doctrine thinks that it knows what to do.

But, Reformed Doctrine does not know what to do, other than trust in God.

Other doctrine rushes into action.

But, Reformed Doctrine waits for the LORD.

“Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.”  Psalm 27:14.

“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.”  Psalm 33:16-20.

“7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret;  it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.”  Psalm 37:7-9.

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You.”  Psalm 39:7.

“1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.”  Psalm 40:1-3.

“5 I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.”  Psalm 130:5-7.

“The Lord favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.”  Psalm 147:11.

“And it will be said in that day,
“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”  Isaiah 25:9.

“O Lord, be gracious to us;  we have waited for You.
Be their strength every morning,
Our salvation also in the time of distress.”  Isaiah 33:2.

“30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”  Isaiah 40:30-31.

“22 Thus says the Lord God,

“Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations
And set up My standard to the peoples;
And they will bring your sons in their bosom,
And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
23 “Kings will be your guardians,
And their princesses your nurses.
They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth
And lick the dust of your feet;
And you will know that I am the Lord;
Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.”  Isaiah 49:22-23.

“25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man that he should bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and be silent
Since He has laid it on him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust,
Perhaps there is hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the smiter,
Let him be filled with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not reject forever,
32 For if He causes grief,
Then He will have compassion
According to His abundant lovingkindness.”  Lamentations 3:25-32.

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.