Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

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

I quote only the following verses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But, Reformed Doctrine has all three elements. 

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

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

Reformed Doctrine people also believe that there are rewards from God to those who seek Him.  However, in sharpest contrast to only temporary and earthly riches of the Prosperity Gospel, these rewards are eternal and heavenly.  “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

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

I quote only the following verses.

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

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

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

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

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

“10 as it is written,

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

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

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

So, whom do you trust to choose?

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

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

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

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

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

I quote only the following verses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I quote only the following verses.

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

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

…

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”   Isaiah 46:9-11.

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 9.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with difficult questions.  She had a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and a large amount of gold and precious stones;  and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was on her heart.  2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from Solomon which he did not explain to her.  3 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he had built, 4 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, she was breathless.  5 Then she said to the king, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.  6 Nevertheless I did not believe their reports until I came and my eyes had seen it.  And behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You surpass the report that I heard.  7 How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.  8 Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the Lord your God;  because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”  2 Chronicles 9:1-8.

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We are much more blessed than Solomon’s men who continually stood before him to hear his wisdom, because God draws us near to Him, causes us to continually stand before Him, and enables us to continually read and understand His words of wisdom in the Scriptures.  

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4.

“How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You.  Selah.”  Psalm 84:4.

“How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”  Psalm 144:15.

“He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”  Proverbs 16:20.

“1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1:1-2.

“13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.”  Proverbs 3:13-18.

We are much more blessed than the people of Israel under Solomon’s rule, because we are under Christ’s rule. 

Christ is “our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us.”  See Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 31.

“Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them;  in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good;  and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.”  See Westminister Larger Catechism Question and Answer 45.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 8.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now it came about at the end of the twenty years in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house that he built the cities which Huram had given to him, and settled the sons of Israel there.

Then Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and captured it.  He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the storage cities which he had built in Hamath.  He also built upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates and bars;  and Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots and cities for his horsemen, and all that it pleased Solomon to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land under his rule.”  2 Chronicles 8:1-6.

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Solomon accomplished much, but Solomon later reflected on his accomplishments and stated:  “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 2:11.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;  …  then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.  “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”  Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 7-8.

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is:  fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”    Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Other doctrine is wrapped up in man’s alleged free-will and man’s accomplishments.

But, Reformed Doctrine is wrapped up in God’s will and God’s accomplishments.  We see this focus on God in “TULIP”, The Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 7.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house.  2 The priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.  3 All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord.  5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.  Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.  6 The priests stood at their posts, and the Levites also, with the instruments of music to the Lord, which King David had made for giving praise to the Lord—“for His lovingkindness is everlasting”—whenever he gave praise by their means, while the priests on the other side blew trumpets;  and all Israel was standing.

7 Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord, for there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to contain the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat.

8 So Solomon observed the feast at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly who came from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt.  9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar they observed seven days and the feast seven days.  10 Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their tents, rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel.”  2 Chronicles 7:1-10.

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In today’s Scripture, we are delighted to learn about the goodness attribute of God.  “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Verse 3.

Reformed Doctrine primarily seeks out to learn about the attributes of God and to teach them.

Other doctrine primarily seeks out attributes of man and how to remove bad attributes of man and replace them with good attributes for man.

And, the people left the assembly “rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel.”  Verse 10.

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11.

Our belief in the goodness of God and His sovereignty and power is at the heart of our belief in God the Father.

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

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

“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.

“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.

God willing, I will be leaving for a one week vacation hiking on the Appalachian trail with one of my sons and two of his friends, and the next devotion will be October 25, 2015.  While I am away, I suggest that you read the Heidelberg Catechism that I quote in today’s devotion.  Here is a link to it provided by the Protestant Reformed Churches – http://www.prca.org/about/official-standards/creeds/three-forms-of-unity/heidelberg-catechism/view-all

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 6.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

“Now therefore arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might;  let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good.

“O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your anointed;  remember Your lovingkindness to Your servant David.”  2 Chronicles 6:40-42.

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These quoted verses are the conclusion to Solomon’s prayer and the dedication of the temple.   We notice how often Solomon (9 times) “reminds” the LORD of certain things through the use of the word “Your”, most importantly, “Your priests”, “Your godly ones”, “Your anointed”, and “Your servant David”.

Other doctrine teaches that God is attentive to our prayer, saves us, and shows us lovingkindness, because of what we do:  our works, our will, or our earnestness.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that we receive God’s attention, His salvation, and His lovingkindness, because we are His elect, His people.  We belong to Christ, and because we belong to Christ, He saves us, preserves us, and makes us willing and ready to live for Him.  

“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.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-7.

“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 8:28-31.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 5.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“When the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”  2 Chronicles 5:11-15.

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In today’s chapter of Scripture, Solomon finished all the work for the house of the Lord, and Solomon assembled to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord (the final missing piece) to bring it into the house of the LORD.

“7 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.  Selah.”  Psalm 24:7-10.

“O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells.”  Psalm 26:8.

“2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in holy array

….

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”  Psalm 29:2 and 9.

“1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2 Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.
4 “All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”  Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.”  Psalm 66:1-5.

“18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen.”  Psalm 72:18-19.

“3 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13 Before the Lord, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.”  Psalm 96:3-13.

“31 Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Let the Lord be glad in His works;
32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.”  Psalm 104:31-34.

“1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
3 Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
4 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
5 Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham, His servant,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.”  Psalm 105:1-7.

“8 The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
9 The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”  Psalm 145:8-13.

Today’s devotion comes from 12 Chronicles chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Solomon also made all the things that were in the house of God: even the golden altar, the tables with the bread of the Presence on them, the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary in the way prescribed;  the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold;  and the snuffers, the bowls, the spoons and the firepans of pure gold;  and the entrance of the house, its inner doors for the holy of holies and the doors of the house, that is, of the nave, of gold.”  2 Chronicles 4:19-22.

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“See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.”  Exodus 25:40.  In both the building of the house of the LORD and in the making of the contents for the house of God, Solomon showed great attention to detail required by the Law.  And, yet it was not enough to accomplish salvation.

In yesterday’s devotion, we focused on a comparison of the house of the LORD with the city of God (heaven).

In today’s devotion, we will focus on a more general comparison between the house of the LORD, the related things inside and outside the house of the LORD, the priests, and the worship practice (which are summarized as the “first covenant”) with “a better covenant” a/k/a “a second” covenant a/k/a “A new covenant”.

“1 Now the main point in what has been said is this:  we have such a high priest (Christ), who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.  3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.  4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;  5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle;  for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”  6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.  8 For finding fault with them, He says,

“Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
When I will effect a new covenant
With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day when I took them by the hand
To lead them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care for them, says the Lord.
10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will put My laws into their minds,
And I will write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,
And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For all will know Me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
And I will remember their sins no more.”

13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.”  Hebrews chapter 8.

In conclusion, the things of the first covenant (the house of the LORD and all the things inside and outside the house of the LORD) were made by human hands, and the priests of the “first covenant” would enter and use them to repeatedly offer the blood of animals.  In comparison, Christ, “the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises” (see above-stated Hebrews 8:6) came into heaven itself and offered His own blood once to bear the sins of many (As a side note, notice that it does not state “all”) for their salvation.   

“For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;  nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.  Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world;  but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  Hebrews 9:24-28.

Which doctrine is more consistent with “the first covenant”?

Other doctrine which focuses on man and his works, his will, and his ability to satisfy all the Law’s requirements!

Which doctrine is more consistent with “a better covenant”?

Reformed Doctrine which focuses on God and His promises and His works!