Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles Chapter 2.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+2&version=NASB

I quote only the first two verses.

“These are the sons of Israel:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.”  1 Chronicles 2:1-2.

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Only a remnant of the sons of Israel would be saved.  Romans 9:27-28.  In comparison to the number of Gentiles who would be saved, it is a remnant.  Nevertheless, it is a substantial and perfect number, and they are not second class citizens of heaven, but rather they are precious in God’s sight and they are part of that “great multitude” of Jews and Gentiles, one body of the saved, the true church, from “every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues”.

“4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5 from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;  10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:4-10.

What is more consistent with this Scripture?

Other doctrine which haphazardly places salvation in the hands of man in accordance with his alleged freewill?

Or, Reformed Doctrine which perfectly places salvation in the hands of “our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”?

Today’s devotion comes 1 Chronicles Chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4 Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.

5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.  6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.  7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim.

8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.  9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama and Sabteca;  and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. 10 Cush became the father of Nimrod;  he began to be a mighty one in the earth.”  1 Chronicles 1:1-10.

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“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;  and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;  male and female He created them.  God blessed them;  and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it;  and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  Genesis 1:26-28.

“1 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
4 What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”  Psalm Chapter 8.

But, then we see that man forfeited the excellent gifts he received. 

Article 1.  Man was originally formed after the image of God.  His understanding was adorned with a true and saving knowledge of his Creator, and of spiritual things;  his heart and will were upright;  all his affections pure; and the whole man was holy;  but revolting from God by the instigation of the devil, and abusing the freedom of his own will, he forfeited these excellent gifts;  and on the contrary entailed on himself blindness of mind, horrible darkness, vanity and perverseness of judgment, became wicked, rebellious, and obdurate in heart and will, and impure in his affections.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE  Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of Canons of Dordt.

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

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-8.

“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 Kings Chapter 25.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+25&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now in the ninth year of his reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, camped against it and built a siege wall all around it.  2 So the city was under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.  3 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 4 Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls beside the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city.  And they went by way of the Arabah.  5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho and all his army was scattered from him.  6 Then they captured the king and brought him to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and he passed sentence on him.  7 They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, then put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him with bronze fetters and brought him to Babylon.

8 Now on the seventh day of the fifth month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.  9 He burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire.  10 So all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.  11 Then the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon and the rest of the people, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into exile.  12 But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.”  2 Kings 25:1-12.

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In the last chapter, we read:  “The Lord sent against him bands of Chaldeans, bands of Arameans, bands of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites.  So He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken through His servants the prophets.  Surely at the command of the Lord it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the Lord would not forgive.”  2 Kings 24:1-4.

In today’s Scripture, we read more about the execution (or performance) of this judgment.

“The Lord has made Himself known;
He has executed judgment.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.  Higgaion  Selah.”  Psalm 9:16.

“Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved;  for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.”  Romans 9:27-28.

But, there is hope!

“‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David (Christ) to spring forth;  and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety;  and this is the name by which she will be called:  the Lord is our righteousness.’”  Jeremiah 33:14-16.

“¹ The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
² The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.
³ Let them praise Your great and awesome name;
Holy is He.
⁴ The strength of the King loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”  Psalm 99:1-4.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 24. Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+24&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years; then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 The Lord sent against him bands of Chaldeans, bands of Arameans, bands of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites. So He sent them against Judah to destroy it,according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken through His servants the prophets. 3 Surely at the[a]command of the Lord it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, 4 and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the Lord would not forgive.

…

10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon went up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon came to the city, while his servants were besieging it. 12 Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his captains and his officials. So the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign. 13 He carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, just as the Lord had said. 14 Then he led away into exile all Jerusalem and all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land.

…

20 For through the anger of the Lord this came about in Jerusalem and Judah until He cast them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.” 2 Kings Chapter 24: Verses 1-4 and 10-14 and 20.

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As incredibly sad as it is to read about Judah being taken into captivity and “He cast them out from His presence”, first, we must remember that LORD’s judgment was just. We also consider our own sin.

“Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.” Psalm 51:4.

So, we cry out:

“Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11.

But, there is hope!

We were sealed in Christ!

“…  you were sealed in Him (Christ) with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-27-29.

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

Reformed Doctrine helps us believe these glorious Scriptural truths which it summarizes as “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 23.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+23&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.  The king went up to the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great;  and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord.  3 The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book.  And all the people entered into the covenant.

4 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven;  and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.  5 He did away with the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the surrounding area of Jerusalem, also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations and to all the host of heaven.  6 He brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.

…

21 Then the king commanded all the people saying, “Celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.”  22 Surely such a Passover had not been celebrated from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and of the kings of Judah.  23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was observed to the Lord in Jerusalem.

24 Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.  25 Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses;  nor did any like him arise after him.

26 However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.  27 The Lord said, “I will remove Judah also from My sight, as I have removed Israel.  And I will cast off Jerusalem, this city which I have chosen, and the temple of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”  2 Kings Chapter 23:  Verses 1-6 and 21-27.

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At first, it seem puzzling and a non-sequitur to read verses 26 and 27 that the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His anger after all of what we read previously of King Josiah’s reforms and that “there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses;  nor did any like him arise after him.”  Verse 25.

But then, we consider the following Scriptures and get some insight into verses 26 and 27.

Christ said:  “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?  So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves;  we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”  Luke 17:9-10.

King Josiah and Judah did not deserve a pat on the back after their reforms, in essence, no longer doing as much evil as they did before.  They have done only that which they should have done.

Likewise, when we repent and no longer do as much evil as before, we have done only that which they should have done.

The blessing will not come from our works “according to all the law of Moses”:  “but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.  Why?  Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.  …”  Romans 9:31-32.  “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  Romans 10:3.

The blessing will come through faith in Christ.  The attitude of true humility demonstrated by the attitude “we have done only that which we ought to have done” may help lead us to faith in Christ.

“What shall we say then?  That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;”  Romans 9:30.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:4.

“just as it is written,

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  Romans 9:33.

Today’s devotion comes fro 2 Kings Chapter 22.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+22&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“11 When the king (Josiah, king of Judah) heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.  12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her.  15 She said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 thus says the Lord, “Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.  17 Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched.”’  18 But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord thus shall you say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel, “Regarding the words which you have heard, 19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord.  20 “Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.”’”  So they brought back word to the king.”  2 Kings 22:11-20.

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“When the king (Josiah, king of Judah) heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.”  Verse 11.  Huldah prophesied:  “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, “Regarding the words which you have heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord … your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.”  Verses 18-20.

When we hear or read the word of God, we can be closed to the word of God with a hard heart.  We can have our own presumptions as to what really occurred, what is fair, and what should occur.  Particularly when we hear or read about God’s judgment and punishment, we can be defensive and bristle against the word of God.

Or, when we hear or read the word of God, we can be open to the word of God with a tender heart.  We can trust the word of God, accept it as truth, and humble ourselves.

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners;  and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be miserable and mourn and weep;  let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”  James 4:6-10.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+21&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.  2 He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel.  3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed;  and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.  4 He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My name.”  5 For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.  6 He made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists.  He did much evil in the sight of the Lord provoking Him to anger.  7 Then he set the carved image of Asherah that he had made, in the house of which the Lord said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever.  8 And I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them.”  9 But they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel.

10 Now the Lord spoke through His servants the prophets, saying, 11 “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, having done wickedly more than all the Amorites did who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols;  12 therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity on Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.”  2 Kings 21:1-12.

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“Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, having done wickedly more than all the Amorites did who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols”.  Verse 11.  We can certainly understand why the LORD pronounced his intention to punish Jerusalem and Judah.  We only wonder why the LORD allowed Manasseh reign so long (55 years) and why the punishment did not come sooner to Jerusalem and Judah.

Why was the LORD so patient?

For Manasseh, we later read more about his life in 2 Chronicles 33:11-19.  In brief summary, the LORD caused Manasseh to be carried away in captivity in Babylon.  “When he (Manasseh) was in distress, he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.  When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.”  2 Chronicles 33:12-13.  And, Manasseh removed idols in Judah, ordered Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel, and took other actions consistent with repentance. 

When we see all the evil throughout history, we also wonder why is the LORD so patient.  This is the theme of today’s devotion.

The Psalmist was also bothered by prosperity and longevity of the wicked.

“17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
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!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.

21 When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.”  Psalm 73:17-24.

Likewise, we consider the Parable of the Tares among the Wheat.

“Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.  But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.  The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?  How then does it have tares?’  And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’  The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’  But he *said, ‘No;  for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up;  but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”  Matthew 13:24-30.

Finally, we come to 2 Peter Chapter 3.

“7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;  just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,  … 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.”  2 Peter 3:7-15 and 18.

In summary, the LORD is patient in order to bring to salvation all of His elect.  And, there are many who think that they are already saved, but the LORD may not yet have converted them.  So, more time is needed.  Although there is much wickedness that His elect endures, the LORD preserves them.  As stated in the foregoing Psalm 73:23-24, the LORD is the One Who holds the hand of His elect.  If left to themselves, the elect would certainly let go of the hand of the LORD, but the LORD will not let go of their hand and will counsel them and guide them and bring all of His elect to glory.  

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 20:12-21.

“12 At that time Berodach-baladan a son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.  13 Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasuries.  There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.  14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?”  And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.”  15 He said, “What have they seen in your house?”  So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house;  there is nothing among my treasuries that I have not shown them.”

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord.  17 ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon;  nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord.  18 ‘Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away; and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”  19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good.”  For he thought, “Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?”

20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?  21 So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son became king in his place.”  2 Kings 20:12-21.

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We get more insight into the showing off of wealth by Hezekiah and why there were such consequences in today’s Scripture from another account of it in the following Scripture.

“24 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill;  and he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord spoke to him and gave him a sign.  25 But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud;  therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.  26 However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 Now Hezekiah had immense riches and honor;  and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles, 28 storehouses also for the produce of grain, wine and oil, pens for all kinds of cattle and sheepfolds for the flocks.  29 He made cities for himself and acquired flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great wealth.  30 It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.  31 Even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.”  2 Chronicles 32:24-31.

Apparently, Hezekiah was more concerned about proudly showing off his kingdom than humbly using it for God’s kingdom. 

As an important side note, by Hezekiah’s reply to Isaiah about the consequences (“The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good.”), Hezekiah was also more concerned about himself than his descendants.  “For he thought, “Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?”  Verse 19.

The following Scripture likewise shows the importance of being humble and giving a return for the benefits that we receive from God.

“In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’  But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  Deuteronomy 8:16-18.

“… From everyone who has been given much, much will be required;  and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”  Luke 12:48.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them;  otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret;  and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:1-4.

But, there is hope!

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:16 and 22-23.

“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.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

Jesus said:  “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;  but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  John 4:14.

In summary, God gives us His Holy Spirit Who causes us to be humble and to also have the other fruit of the Spirit.  We are also God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  And, God Himself works within us, giving us the will to do His Will and accomplishing the work for His good pleasure.  The Holy Spirit causes the good works to bubble up in us and to spring out of us to provide that good return for the benefits that God gives us.