Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 9:10-28.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“10 It came about at the end of twenty years in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord and the king’s house 11 (Hiram king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress timber and gold according to all his desire), then King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.  12 So Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they did not please him.  13 He said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?”  So they were called the land of Cabul to this day.  14 And Hiram sent to the king 120 talents of gold.

15 Now this is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon levied to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.  16 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and captured Gezer and burned it with fire, and killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and had given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.  17 So Solomon rebuilt Gezer and the lower Beth-horon 18 and Baalath and Tamar in the wilderness, in the land of Judah, 19 and all the storage cities which Solomon had, even the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and all that it pleased Solomon to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land under his rule.  20 As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, who were not of the sons of Israel, 21 their descendants who were left after them in the land whom the sons of Israel were unable to destroy utterly, from them Solomon levied forced laborers, even to this day.

…

26 King Solomon also built a fleet of ships in Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.  27 And Hiram sent his servants with the fleet, sailors who knew the sea, along with the servants of Solomon.  28 They went to Ophir and took four hundred and twenty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.”  1 Kings Chapter 9:  Verses 10-21 and 26-28.

————————-

In today’s Scripture, we see the reign of King Solomon.  Kings brought gifts to King Solomon.  Slaves labored for King Solomon’s projects.

King Solomon’s sovereignty leads us to meditate on Christ the King’s sovereignty.  In Psalm Chapter 72, King Solomon prays for himself as king and for the future Messiah, Christ the King.

“1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
2 May he judge Your people with righteousness
And Your afflicted with justice.
3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.

5 Let them fear You while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,
Like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
And abundance of peace till the moon is no more.

8 May he also rule from sea to sea
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Let the nomads of the desert bow before him,
And his enemies lick the dust.
10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 And let all kings bow down before him,
All nations serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight;
15 So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;
And let them pray for him continually;
Let them bless him all day long.

16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains;
Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;
And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth.
17 May his name endure forever;
May his name increase as long as the sun shines;
And let men bless themselves by him;
Let all nations call him blessed.

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 72:1-19.

Is today’s Scripture and this Psalm 72 consistent with other doctrine based on man and his alleged free-will? 

Or, is today’s Scripture and this Psalm 72 consistent with Reformed Doctrine based on God and His sovereignty?  

“7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:7-12.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 9:1-9.

“1 Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and all that Solomon desired to do, 2 that the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.  3 The Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me;  I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.  4 As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

6 “But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight.  So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.  8 And this house will become a heap of ruins;  everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’  9 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them, therefore the Lord has brought all this adversity on them.’”  1 Kings 9:1-9.

——————-

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

“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”  Romans 7:12.

It makes no sense to turn away from our good, perfect, holy, righteous, just, and kind God.

It makes no sense to turn toward other gods and serve and worship them.

It makes no sense to not keep God’s commandments which are good for us and not burdensome.

It makes no sense to turn away from all the wonderful things that God promises us if we follow God and keep His commandments.

It makes no sense to turn toward all the adversity that God promises us if we go serve other gods and worship them and do not keep His commandments.

But, the sad history of Israel was that they did all these things which made no sense.

What is wrong?  What caused that illogical behavior?

The answer is “Total Depravity”, the “T”  of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

We don’t need more alleged free-will.

We don’t need a second chance.

Rather, we need God’s “Unconditional Election”, God’s “Limited Atonement”, God’s “Irresistible Grace”, and God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.  Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;  I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:24-27.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 8:54-66 which covers Solomon’s benediction at the dedication of the LORD’s house.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“54 When Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven.  55 And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying:

56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised;  not one word has  failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.  57 May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers;  may He not leave us or forsake us, 58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.  59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God;  there is no one else.  61 Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.”  1 Kings 8:54-61.

————————-

Man feels free to toss out his words here and there like a man feeding pigeons.  He feels successful if any of his listeners eats up any of his words.

In sharp contrast to man whose words not only fail, but whose words even contradict his other words in the same sermon or teaching, God’s words never fail:  “not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.”  Verse 55.

Verse 55 of today’s Scripture reminds us of Joshua’s farewell address in which he said:   “Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed;  all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.”  Joshua 23:14.

“As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the Lord is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”  Psalm 18:30.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”  Psalm 19:7.

“Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  Proverbs 30:5.

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:8.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 8:22-53.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.  23 He said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, 24 who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You have promised him;  indeed, You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand as it is this day.

…

46 “When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near; 47 if they take thought in the land where they have been taken captive, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of those who have taken them captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and have committed iniquity, we have acted wickedly’;  48 if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to You toward their land which You have given to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name;  49 then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Your dwelling place, and maintain their cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You, and make them objects of compassion before those who have taken them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51 (for they are Your people and Your inheritance which You have brought forth from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace), 52 that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and to the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You.  53 For You have separated them from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Moses Your servant, when You brought our fathers forth from Egypt, O Lord God.”  1 Kings Chapter 8:  Verses 22-24 and 46-53.

——————–

Yes, we should walk before the LORD with all our heart.  Yes, we should repent when we sin.  Yes, we should make supplication to the LORD.  Yes, we should return to the LORD with all our heart.  Yes, we should pray to the LORD.

But, the “Fountain of Grace” is not our willingness nor our ability to do so.  The “Fountain of Grace” is not our goodness nor our cuteness.

“Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord God.’”  Ezekiel 20:44.

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

The “Fountain of Grace” is revealed in the last verse (Verse 53) of today’s Scripture:  “For You have separated them from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance”.  The “Fountain of Grace” is God’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“That election, which is the unconditional and unchangeable decree of God to redeem in Christ a certain number of persons, is the sole cause and fountain of all our salvation, whence flow all the gifts of grace, including faith.  This is the plain teaching of our confessions in the Canons of Dordrecht, I,A,6,7.”  Declaration of Principles of the Protestant Reformed Churches.

“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.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4. 

Consider also the following two sections of Article 7, Article 9, and Article 10 in FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination in Canons of Dordt.  

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.  …”  

Article 9.  … This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended; but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself …”

Article 10.  The good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election;  which doth not consist herein, that out of all possible qualities and actions of men God has chosen some as a condition of salvation;  but that he was pleased out of the common mass of sinners to adopt some certain persons as a peculiar people to himself …”

“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;  for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God;  you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

“Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.”  Psalm 28:9.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 8:1-21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the city of David, which is Zion.  2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to King Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.  3 Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.  4 They brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils, which were in the tent, and the priests and the Levites brought them up.  5 And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen they could not be counted or numbered. 6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim.  7 For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim made a covering over the ark and its poles from above.  8 But the poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside;  they are there to this day.  9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.  10 It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 

12 Then Solomon said,

“The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.”    1 Kings 8:1-12.

—————————

What does the dwelling of the LORD in the thick cloud teach us about the LORD? 

Let us look at some of the Scriptures.

“The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.”  Exodus 19:9.

“So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.”  Exodus 19:16.

“All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking;  and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.  Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen;  but let not God speak to us, or we will die.”  Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid;  for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”  So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.”  Exodus 20:18-21.

“These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more.  He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.”  Deuteronomy 5:22.

“12 “And He made darkness canopies around Him,
A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky.
13 “From the brightness before Him
Coals of fire were kindled.
14 “The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice.
15 “And He sent out arrows, and scattered them,
Lightning, and routed them.
16 “Then the channels of the sea appeared,
The foundations of the world were laid bare
By the rebuke of the Lord,
At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.”  2 Samuel 22:12-16.  See also Psalm 18:11-15 which is very similar.

“22 “Out of the north comes golden splendor;
Around God is awesome majesty.
23 “The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.
24 “Therefore men fear Him;
He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”  Job 37:22-24.

“1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.
4 His lightnings lit up the world;
The earth saw and trembled.
5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.”  Psalm 97:1-6.

First, the thick cloud separates us from the LORD, so that we on our own can not easily or casually approach Him and think we are equal or comparable in any way.  We need Him to draw us to Himself through His Almighty Power.

“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,”  Isaiah 46:9.

Jesus Christ “… is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see.  To Him be honor and eternal dominion!  Amen.'”  1 Timothy 6:15-16.

Second, the thick cloud leads us to fear the LORD and tremble in His presence.    Exodus 19:16 and Exodus 20:18-21 as quoted above.

“Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord.
‘Do you not tremble in My presence?  …”  Jeremiah 5:22.

Third, the thick cloud helps us to understand that we cannot know everything about the LORD.

“The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power”  Job 37:23 as quoted above.

Fourth, the thick cloud makes us willing to generally talk about the LORD’s absolute sovereignty.  We can not see all the details of the  LORD’s works behind the scene, so we are inclined to trust the LORD and His absolute sovereignty and His righteousness and His justice without even trying to explain all the details of why and how the LORD acts as He does.

“Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”  Psalm 97:2 as quoted above.

In conclusion, it is noteworthy in today’s Scripture that the thick cloud did not enter the LORD’s house until the priests left the holy place and was such “so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud”.  Verses 10-11.  This humbles the proud priests and preachers who think that they are righteous enough to draw the LORD to appear in their midst.  This is consistent with man’s “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, which leads us to give up in trusting man in any way and which leads us to trust the LORD alone to handle all the points of salvation from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints” (the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”) as if the LORD was saying:  “Priests, you can leave My temple now.  I will do My work.  This is not a joint venture.  You do not need to understand those things that are hidden in My cloud and not revealed to you.  Fear Me.  Trust Me.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 7.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.  2 He built the house of the forest of Lebanon; its length was 100 cubits and its width 50 cubits and its height 30 cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars.  3 It was paneled with cedar above the side chambers which were on the 45 pillars, 15 in each row.  4 There were artistic window frames in three rows, and window was opposite window in three ranks.  5 All the doorways and doorposts had squared artistic frames, and window was opposite window in three ranks.

6 Then he made the hall of pillars;  its length was 50 cubits and its width 30 cubits, and a porch was in front of them and pillars and a threshold in front of them.

7 He made the hall of the throne where he was to judge, the hall of judgment, and it was paneled with cedar from floor to floor.

8 His house where he was to live, the other court inward from the hall, was of the same workmanship.  He also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon had married.

9 All these were of costly stones, of stone cut according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside; even from the foundation to the coping, and so on the outside to the great court.

10 The foundation was of costly stones, even large stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits.  11 And above were costly stones, stone cut according to measure, and cedar.  12 So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the Lord, and the porch of the house.

13 Now King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre.  14 He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze;  and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze.  So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work.

…

51 Thus all the work that King Solomon performed in the house of the Lord was finished.  And Solomon brought in the things dedicated by his father David, the silver and the gold and the utensils, and he put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.”  1 Kings Chapter 7:  Verses 1-14 and 51.

——————

King Solomon was wise and skillful in building both the house of the LORD and in building his own house.  Hiram of Tyre was also wise and skillful in making the bronze items for the house of the LORD.

We too may be wise and skillful literally or figuratively in building our house.  Figuratively, we may have our finances in perfect order.  We may have our health in perfect shape.  We may have well-behaved children in the best schools.  We may live in a dream home in the best neighborhood.

But, if the LORD has not blessed us and built our house for us, it is all for naught.

“1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
2 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.

3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.

5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.”  Psalm Chapter 127.

Other doctrine focuses on the will and skill of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on the will and skill of God.

Other doctrine focuses on what man does for God.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on what man receives from God.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;  and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;  and it fell—and great was its fall.”  Matthew 7:24-27.

Which doctrine is built “on the rock”?

Other doctrine built on man’s alleged free-will?

Or, Reformed Doctrine built by God through His Almighty Actions specified in “TULIP”?

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 6.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father.  I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”  1 Kings 6:11-13.

———————

Here is our LORD.

I will build My house.  “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”  Revelation 21:2.  “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.  Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.”  Revelation 21:10-11.

“… I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Matthew 16:18.  “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;  for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:27.

“I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”  Verse 13.  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death;  there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;  the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:3-4.

Which doctrine knows our LORD better? 

Other doctrine which focuses on man, man’s alleged free-will, and what man can do and will do?  Whose lord is only a reactor to what man does? 

Or, Reformed Doctrine which focuses on the LORD, His absolute sovereignty, and His willingness to initiate and do all the things to fully accomplish man’s salvation such as stated in the Scripture quoted in today’s devotion?    

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 5.  Here is a link to this chapter -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.  2 Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, 3 “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side;  there is neither adversary nor misfortune.  5 Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’  6 Now therefore, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants;  and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.”  8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent me;  I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.  9 My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away.  Then you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household.”  10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.  11 Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.  12 The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him;  and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.”  1 Kings 5:1-12.

——————–

The wisdom of God produces peace.  “The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him;  and there was peace …”       Verse 12.  “But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side;  there is neither adversary nor misfortune.”  Verse 4.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:17-18.

“For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.”  Proverbs 3:2.

“Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.”  Proverbs 3:17.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;  And the government will rest on His shoulders;  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6.

“How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7.

“For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:12.

“I will make a covenant of peace with them;  it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.  My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”  Ezekiel 37:26-27.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2:14.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”  Romans 5:1.

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”  Romans 8:6.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,”  Galatians 1:3.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”  Galatians 5:22.

“And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; ”  Ephesians 2:17.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 6-7.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!”  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.

21 Now Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt;  they brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

22 Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour and sixty kors of meal, 23 ten fat oxen, twenty pasture-fed oxen, a hundred sheep besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.  24 For he had dominion over everything west of the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings west of the River;  and he had peace on all sides around about him.  25 So Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.  26 Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.  27 Those deputies provided for King Solomon and all who came to King Solomon’s table, each in his month;  they left nothing lacking.  28 They also brought barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds to the place where it should be, each according to his charge.

29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.  30 Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.  31 For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.  32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.  33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish.  34 Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.”  1 Kings 4:20-34.

——————-

In the very first verse of the Scripture I quoted above, we read the consequential blessings to the people that flowed from the wisdom of God given to Solomon to administer justice for others, the theme of yesterday’s Scripture.  “Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance;  they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.”  Verse 20.

“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.”  Proverbs 29:2.

We also read the lavish blessings that daily came to Solomon.  Verses 22-28.

More generally, and in a summary, Solomon wrote the following blessings of wisdom in one of his proverbs.

“11 “For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.
13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
15 “By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 “By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
17 “I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 “Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
20 “I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.”  Proverbs 8:11-21.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem.  2 The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lord until those days.

3 Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place;  Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”

6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.  8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.  9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil.  For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.  11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words.  Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.  13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.  14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”

…

28 When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”  1 Kings Chapter 3:  Verses 1-14 and 28.

—————————

There is a earthly wisdom.  “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”  James 3:15-16.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”  James 3:17.

We can gain wisdom to help us take care of our own finances, our own health, and our own protection.  There are plenty of magazines and other media to help us do that.

But, it is better to have the wisdom of God to help us take care of others.  Solomon specifically asked for the wisdom of God to administer justice for others.

We may not be a judge or governor or other government leader who needs the wisdom of God to administer justice for others.

But, we need the wisdom of God to raise our children.

We need the wisdom of God to work skillfully for others.

We need the wisdom of God to best help others as a volunteer.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5.