Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

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

I quote only the following verses.

“21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.”  23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.

…

31 Then we journeyed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem;  and the hand of our God was over us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way.  32 Thus we came to Jerusalem and remained there three days.

…

35 The exiles who had come from the captivity offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel:  12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, 12 male goats for a sin offering, all as a burnt offering to the Lord.”  Ezra Cahpter 8:  Verses 21-23 and 31-32 and 35.

————————-

Today is Christmas Eve.  I planned on treating it like a holiday, not working, and not writing a devotion.

But, today’s Scripture convicted me that I should write a devotion.

We notice that Ezra and his group of exiles humbled themselves and sought God.

I thought:  “I likewise need to humble myself and seek God by at least writing this devotion.”

It is easy for me to feel entitled to take time off from seeking God.

I did not like my attitude.

But, I like the humble attitude and the actions of Ezra and his group of exiles in seeking God.

“The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.”  Verse 22.

We notice that God delivered Ezra and his group of exiles from the enemy and the ambushes and that they safely came to Jerusalem.

We also notice that when they arrived, they made offerings to God.  And, we notice that God detailed in His word the total number of each animal offered.

God also takes note of each time we read His word, each prayer that we make, and each time we attend church.  They are more precious to Him than each animal offered to Him.

“4 “Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
5 “Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
6 “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring My sons from afar
And My daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”  Isaiah 43:4-7.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“6 This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given;  and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was upon him.  7 Some of the sons of Israel and some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.  9 For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon;  and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him.  10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

…

27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, 28 and has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes.  Thus I was strengthened according to the hand of the Lord my God upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.  Ezra Chapter 7:  Verses 6-10 and 27-28.

————————

The hand of the LORD was upon Ezra.

And, what did the LORD cause by His hand upon Ezra?

By the hand of the LORD upon Ezra, the LORD caused the king to grant Ezra all he requested.  Verse 6.

By the hand of the LORD upon Ezra, the LORD caused leading men from Israel to go with Ezra to Jerusalem.  Verse 28.

The hand of the LORD is also upon us!  Praise God!!

What will the LORD cause by His hand upon us?

First, by the hand of the LORD upon us, the LORD will create us to do good works.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

The LORD will give us spiritual gifts such as described in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and Ephesians 4:11-13 for the building up of the body of Christ.

Second, by the hand of the LORD upon us, the LORD will give us the will to do His Will and will work in us for His good pleasure:  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

Third, by the hand of the LORD upon us, the LORD will give us favor in the sight of others so that some will provide what we need and others will follow us.

“I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians;  and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.”  Exodus 3:21.

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;  if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”  John 15:20.

Fourth, by the hand of the LORD upon us, the LORD will complete and perfect the good work that He has started in us.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“13 Then Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues carried out the decree with all diligence, just as King Darius had sent.  14 And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.  And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.  15 This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar;  it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

16 And the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.  17 They offered for the dedication of this temple of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel.  18 Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

19 The exiles observed the Passover on the fourteenth of the first month.  20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together;  all of them were pure.  Then they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, both for their brothers the priests and for themselves.  21 The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the Lord God of Israel, ate the Passover.  22 And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”  Ezra 6:13-22.

——————————

God is not only sovereign over events;  God is sovereign over hearts.

In today’s Scripture, we see that God caused the completion of the house of God.  That event was enough to cause joy and celebration.  But, in addition, we read:  “the Lord had caused them to rejoice”.  Verse 22.

As a side note, we note that in addition to being sovereign over the hearts of His people causing them to rejoice, the LORD was sovereign over the the heart of the king of Assyria.  The LORD “had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”  Verse 22.

This is great encouragement for us today.  Although we may be discouraged or depressed even when events are good for us (or even when our situation is not that bad compared to other people’s troubles), and although we also get further discouraged or further depressed recognizing that we should not feel this way, we can remember that God is not only sovereign over events;  God is also sovereign over hearts.  We can seek God Who causes us to rejoice. 

Ultimately, our heart’s hope is not in events;  our heart’s hope is in God.

“You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.”  Psalm 4:7.

“11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous
And gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.”  Psalm 97:11-12.

“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting:  to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him;  for this is his reward.  Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor;  this is the gift of God.  For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, …”  Galatians 5:22.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra chapter 5.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 When the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them, 2 then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.

3 At that time Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues came to them and spoke to them thus, “Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?”  4 Then we told them accordingly what the names of the men were who were reconstructing this building.  5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius, and then a written reply be returned concerning it.”  Ezra 5:1-5.

——————————

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.”  Psalm 34:15.

In verse 5 of today’s Scripture, we read that eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, meaning that His favor was upon them helping them to continue the rebuilding of the house of God in spite of the questioning.

We know that this does not mean that God only sees the righteous.  God sees everyone as clearly stated in the following Scripture.

“13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.”  Psalm 33:13-15.

Rather, “the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews” means that God favored them.

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

Other doctrine teaches that the eye of the Lord is on those who exercise their alleged free-will and favors those who prove themselves by their works or their will that they show the Lord.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that the eye of the Lord is on His chosen people, “on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness”.

“It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”  Psalm 127:2.

“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.

So, go forth to work, You chosen ones, this Monday and every day knowing that your God’s eyes and favor are upon you!

So, sleep in peace, You beloved of God, this night and every night knowing that your God gives to you even in your sleep!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9.

Because of the importance of this devotion and because I wanted us to meditate on it on Sunday, the day of our worship, I revised this devotion, rather than posting an entirely new devotion today.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God;  and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”  But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God;  but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.”  Ezra 4:1-3.

———————–

Today’s Scripture (“You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God;  but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel“) leads us to pause and consider how we should apply it.

There are voices out there who offer help to build our church.  Some voices are from enemies, false shepherds, who intentionally want to sabotoge the building of our church.  If we discern their charater and intention, then we will be quick to refuse their help.  But, other voices are from unbelievers who may genuinely want to help and who are intelligent, skillful, and eloquent.  It will be more tempting to accept their offer to help, but they should also likewise be refused because they also have nothing in common with us in building our church.  Finally, there are voices from believers who may have been with the church a long time who may be qualified for certain services in the building of the church, but whose help should be refused for other services in building our church.

Most importantly, when it comes to doctrine, do we build our church with preachers and teachers who do preach and teach the pure and sound Reformed Doctrine? 

Or, do we build our church with preachers and teachers who dilute the pure and sound Reformed Doctrine and pollute it with other doctrine?   

“…  The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these:  if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein …”  Article 29 of Belgic Confession.

What is that pure doctrine of the gospel?

In a nutshell, that pure doctrine of the gospel is “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation! 

See the Canons of Dordt which is the Reformed Confession which most specifically defines and expands these truths of sovereign grace and defends them against heresy.  There is a link to Canons of Dordt on the right margin of this page of my website.

And yet, how often do we hear about “TULIP” or Canons of Dordt from the pulpit or the Sunday classroom?

How many of our congregation can at least correctly answer what each of the letters of “TULIP” stands for, much less defend it by Scripture and the Canons of Dordt?

Too many Reformed churches have lost their distinctive salt of true pure and sound Reformed Doctrine.  Although you will hear a Reformed word here and there in a sermon, the sermon contains so much of other doctrine that the listener could not tell if he was in a Baptist church, a Methodist church, or a Reformed church except for the sign on the door.

“… all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.  …”  Article 29.  Belgic Confession.    All churches claim to be Biblical.

It is easy for preachers and teachers to take potshots at easy targets.

But does the preacher or teacher strive to deliver to the congregation the pure doctrine of the gospel? 

Or, does the preacher or teacher ramble to such an extent that the pure doctrine of the gospel is not simply and clearly delivered to the congregation? 

We do not need many words or many points to proclaim the pure doctrine of the gospel.  “TULIP” is only five points.  “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.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  2 Corinthians 2:1-3.

Worship, even though it may be formal and zealous, is not enough.  “‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”  Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7.  “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  Romans 10:2-3.

We must get doctrine right and pure.  “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another;  only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”  Galatians 1:6-9. 

But, God is still in ultimate total sovereign control Who said:  “… I will build my church …”  Matthew 16:18.  So, with that confidence and trust in God, let us resist pressures to be with everyone else and be like everyone else in building the church.  Let us focus on the primacy of preaching the pure doctrine of the gospel as the first mark of the true Church according to the Belgic Confession.  Let us preach and teach the pure doctrine of the gospel through “TULIP” and the Canons of Dordt. 

We are certainly not perfect, but let us reform.  Let us press on to build our church with that preaching of the pure doctrine of the gospel.  “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.  2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.  3 So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands;  and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening.

…

“10 Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel.  11 They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.”  And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”  Ezra Chapter 3:  Verses 1-3 and 10-11.

———————–

Some teach or imply that everyone is good.  But, the sons of Israel did not think so:  “for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands”.  Verse 3.

In sharpest contrast, the sons of Israel attributed goodness only to the LORD:  “For He is good”.  Verse 11.

Jesus said:  “There is only One who is good”.  Matthew 19:17.

And, we also notice that the sons of Israel did not state that God’s lovingkindness was upon everyone, but rather “His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.”  Verse 11.

We live in a time and age that pressures us to believe that basically everyone is good and that God’s lovingkindess is upon everyone.

While it is true that everyone receives good gifts from God like sunshine and rain, God does not cause these good gifts to be a blessing upon the wicked.

“18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!”  Psalm 73:18-19.

But, God’s lovingkindness is only upon His people, the true Israel.

“Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!”  Psalm 73:1.

If a wife asked her husband if he loved her and the husband replied:  “Yes.  I love everyone.”, we know the wife would not be pleased.

Likewise, Christ has a peculiar love, a special love just for His church.  Just as a husband should not love and give himself up for all women, but only his own wife, Christ only loved His church and gave Himself up only for His church, not for everyone in the world.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,”  Ephesians 5:25.

 
In Christ’s intercessory prayer in John 17:9, we see Christ praying for only those whom God gave Him, not for the world:  “I ask on their behalf;  I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine;”

Christ laid down his life for only His sheep.  “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. ”  John 10:14-15.

When we believe that Christ died only for us, His elect, not for the world, His love and substitutionary sacrifice is appreciated more by us.  We appreciate all the more His passion, suffering, and death, because it literally took away our sins, not for the world, not just possibly took away our sins depending on our free will or depending on whether or not we get and keep faith till our death:  “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;  The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53: 5.

This is summarized by “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

This special love for us, His chosen people, this special goodness, for us, His chosen people, is true reason for us to shout for joy.

So, let us not try to be like everyone else, but instead take comfort and joy in the fact that we are chosen by God for that special love and special goodness.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city.  2 These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel:  3 the sons of Parosh, 2,172;  4 the sons of Shephatiah, 372;  5 the sons of Arah, 775;  6 the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812;

…

64 The whole assembly numbered 42,360, 65 besides their male and female servants who numbered 7,337;  and they had 200 singing men and women.  66 Their horses were 736;  their mules, 245;  67 their camels, 435;  their donkeys, 6,720.

68 Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they arrived at the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.

69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work 61,000 gold drachmas and 5,000 silver minas and 100 priestly garments.

70 Now the priests and the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.”  Ezra Chapter 2:  Verses 1-6 and 64-70.

————————–

Why are there so many names in this Scripture?

Why are there so many numbers in this Scripture?

God deeply cares about each person.

God deeply cares about each detail.

But, God is not like those who only watch and wring their hands.  God does not panic.  God is not anxious.  God does not even hope without accomplishing all His good pleasure.

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra chapter 1.

“1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.  3 Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him!  Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.  4 Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”

5 Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.  6 All those about them encouraged them with articles of silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle and with valuables, aside from all that was given as a freewill offering.  7 Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods;  8 and Cyrus, king of Persia, had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and he counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.  9 Now this was their number:  30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 duplicates;  10 30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls of a second kind and 1,000 other articles.  11 All the articles of gold and silver numbered 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought them all up with the exiles who went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.”  Ezra chapter 1.

—————————

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.”  Psalm 103:19.

God’s sovereignty rules over all persons and all things.

In verse 5, we see an example of God’s sovereignty over all persons.  “Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.”  Verse 5.  (Emphasis added.)

In verses 7-11, we see an example of God’s sovereignty over all things.  There is emphasis of the exact number and description of each articles of the house of the LORD which were taken from the house of the Lord by Nebuchadnezzar who had carried them away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods, but which the LORD caused to be brought back to Jerusalem.

Other doctrine refuses or neglects to fully and properly teach God’s sovereignty, especially God’s sovereignty over all persons, preferring to teach alleged man’s free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine fully and properly teaches God’s sovereignty.  An example of this teaching is “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:37.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 36.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+36&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“15 The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place;  16 but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy. 17 Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm;  He gave them all into his hand.  18 All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon.  19 Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.  20 Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon;  and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths.  All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete.

22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah—the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.  Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!’”  2 Chronicles 36:15-23.

———————————

God’s sovereignty is vividly displayed in today’s Scripture.

God raised up messengers to warn His people.  Verse 15.

God raised up the king of the Chaldeans to punish those who continually mocked His messengers, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets.  Verses 16-21.

God raised up Cyrus king of Persia to release His people from captivity.  Verses 22-23.

“6 “The Lord kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 “The Lord makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.”  1 Samuel 2:6-7.

“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.

At the conclusion of my last devotion, I suggested that we meditate on the good things, and most importantly, what the good things teach us about the goodness of God.  Today’s devotion is a special devotion presenting my best verses and meditations from the Scriptures I read last week during my cruise vacation.

“I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, the praises of the Lord,
According to all that the Lord has granted us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has granted them according to His compassion
And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.”  Isaiah 63:7.

I read the following chapters:  Psalm 103, Psalm 104, Psalm 105, Psalm 107, and Psalm 111, one for each day from 12/8/15 through 12/12/15.  Here is a link to Psalm 103 which you can also use to read the other chapters –

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+103&version=NASB

From these chapters, I single out the following verses to be the focus of my meditations.  After each verse, I add my meditations in italic font.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.”  Psalm 103:11.

As I stared at the great width of the seas and the great height of the clouds above, I thought:  “Who can count the number of God’s lovingkindnesses to us?!  Who can know how much of a blessing each one is?!”

“But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,”  Psalm 103:17.

Although it would be good enough to have God’s lovingkindness only during our days on earth, God also extends His lovingkindness to us in heaven, throughout all eternity. 

“And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man’s heart.”  Psalm 104:15.

Wine, like a cruise, is an example of something unnecessary.  It is lavish, but God provides it.  God is not that dour tightwad that some doctrine portray.  God is better than any Santa Claus.  “The Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;  A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.”  Isaiah 25:6.

“Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.”  Psalm 104:34.

These good things are good presents.  But, most importantly, these good presents draw us to God’s good presence.  “I shall be glad in the Lord.” 

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.”  Psalm 105:1.

Too many preachers and teachers focus on the good deeds of man.  Rather than focusing on the good deeds of man, we are called to make known God’s deeds.  “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation makes known God’s deeds from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.   

“And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.”  Psalm 105:43.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.  What a God we have!  

“20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And tell of His works with joyful singing.”  Psalm 107:20-22.

God heals us!

“2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  Psalm 103:3-5.

“Who is wise?  Let him give heed to these things,
And consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord.”  Psalm 107:43.

“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.

“Great are the works of the Lord;
They are studied by all who delight in them.”  Psalm 111:2.

Reformed Doctrine delights in studying the works of the LORD.

“He has made His wonders to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.”  Psalm 111:4.

We come to know the LORD through studying His works.  The LORD is gracious to His people! 

“…The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

“5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.”  Psalm 111:4-7.