Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 4:1-7.

“1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord;  and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”  2 Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you?  Tell me, what do you have in the house?”  And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”  3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.  4 And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.”  5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons;  they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured.  6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.”  And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.”  And the oil stopped.  7 Then she came and told the man of God.  And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”   2 Kings 4:1-7.

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We notice two things about this widow that were important for her to receive the miracle.  First, she “cried out to Elisha”.  Second, her husband (and presumably herself) “feared the LORD”.

When we review the following Scriptures in the Psalms, we see these two common elements present.  I highlight the element of fearing the LORD described in different ways.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.”  Psalm 18:6.

“To You they cried out and were delivered;
In You they trusted and were not disappointed.”  Psalm 22:5.

“6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.”  Psalm 34:6-7.

“15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:15-18.

“1 Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.  Selah.”  Psalm 61:1-4.

“3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
For to You I cry all day long.
4 Make glad the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”  Psalm 86:3-4.

“17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
And kind in all His deeds.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.”  Psalm 145:17-20.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 3.  This chapter covers the subservience of Moab to Israel and their payment of tribute to Israel, the rebellion of Moab against Israel after the death of Ahab, and the military campaign to quash of the rebellion.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom;  and they made a circuit of seven days’ journey, and there was no water for the army or for the cattle that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

“13 Now Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What do I have to do with you?  Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.”  And the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.  15 But now bring me a minstrel.”  And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.  16 He said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’  17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain;  yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.  18 This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord;  He will also give the Moabites into your hand.  19 Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’”  20 It happened in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, that behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.”

21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them.  And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border.  22 They rose early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.  23 Then they said, “This is blood;  the kings have surely fought together, and they have slain one another. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”  24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites arose and struck the Moabites, so that they fled before them;  and they went forward into the land, slaughtering the Moabites.”  2 Kings 3:9-24.

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The most urgent need was for water.  If the military campaign had to end, and they had to turn back and not receive any tribute from Moab for at least a while, that was acceptable.  But, they needed water to survive.

They sought a prophet of the LORD to inquire of the LORD.

What they received was more than just water.  They received a total victory over Moab.

And, how they received the victory was equally amazing.  The water was not brought by wind or rain as it is commonly received.  And, the water was used by the LORD to gain the total victory.  The water appeared as blood to Moab in early morning when the sun shone on it, and the water enticed Moab to give up its superior defensive position to be exposed to Israel.

“This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord”  Verse 18.

“‘Ah Lord God!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You,”  Jeremiah 32:17.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold,  I am the Lord, the God of all flesh;  is anything too difficult for Me?”  Jeremiah 32:27.

Today, this week, or this year, you too may have an urgent need and make a prayer request to the LORD.

The LORD may dazzle you too.  The LORD may grant more than what you request, and He may show off too on how He grants your request.  “but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9.

“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.”  Deuteronomy 10:21.

“Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”  Psalm 33:8.

“6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.”  Psalm 145:6-7.

“5 Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
7 He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.  Selah.”  Psalm 66:5-7.

Nothing is too difficult for our Almighty God and Faithful Father!   

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:15-25.

“15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.  16 They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.”  And he said, “You shall not send.”  17 But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men;  and they searched three days but did not find him.  18 They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees;  but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”  20 He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.  21 He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified these waters;  there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’”  22 So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23 Then he went up from there to Bethel;  and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead;  go up, you baldhead!”  24 When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord.  Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.  25 He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.”  2 Kings 2:15-25.

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In today’s Scripture, Elisha provides us an example of five Godly qualities that we see in the following 1 Peter 4:14-19.  I will first quote 1 Peter 4:14-19 and then tie Elisha’s qualities to the relevant part of 1 Peter 4:14-19.  Hopefully, Elisha’s example in today’s Scripture and 1 Peter 4:14-19 will combine to help us exhibit those Godly qualities.

“12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.  17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;  and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?  19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”   1 Peter 4:14-19.

First, “they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  Verse 15.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:14, we read “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Second, we see that Elisha urged the fifty strong men to not search for Elijah.  He wanted to spare them the trouble.  Elisha was not a troublesome meddler.  Verses 15-18.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:15, we read:  “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.”

Third, Elisha did good in purifying the water.  He did what was right.  Verses 19-22.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:19., we read:  “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

Fourth, to a degree, Elisha was reviled and experienced suffering when “young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead;  go up, you baldhead!”  Verse 23.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:13-16, we read that Christians will “share the sufferings of Christ” and be “reviled for the name of Christ” and “suffers as a Christian”.

Fifth, Elisha had to endure this difficulty and suffering, but the young lads who reviled him were tore up by two bears.  Verses 23-24.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:18, we read:  “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

In summary, through God’s grace, when we experience a little suffering as a Christian, let us not be surprised.  Let us live by the Holy Spirit.  Let us walk by the Holy Spirit.  Let us not snap back and do evil in return.  Let us endure.  Let us do what is good and right.  Let us rejoice that we have a faithful Creator Who will cause us to do what is right and Who will guard and preserve our soul to salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:1-14.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you;  but if not, it shall not be so.”  11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them.  And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.  12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  And he saw Elijah no more.  Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.  13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.  14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”  And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  2 Kings 2:8-14.

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In sharpest contrast to Ahaziah who was punished for not seeking the God of Israel, but rather who sought to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover from his sickness (in the previous chapter), Elisha immediately sought God after he took up Elijah’s mantle to begin his own ministry as shown by his words:  “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.”  Isaiah 55:6.

And, what were the results of Elijah seeking the LORD? 

“And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  Verse 14.

Today, we cross over from a weekend of rest and recreation to a week of work.  Some of us will cross over into new employment or new projects or new challenges.

Will we just proceed to cross over? 

Or, will we first seek the LORD?   

“⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6.

“9 The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”  Psalm 9:9-10.

“The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”  Psalm 34:10.

“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.”  Psalm 105:3-4.

“Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.”  Proverbs 28:3-4.

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

“Seek the Lord,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:3.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“2 And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill.  So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.”  3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 

…

9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill.  And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’”  10 Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.”  Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

11 So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he said to him, “O man of God, thus says the king, ‘Come down quickly.’”  12 Elijah replied to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.”  Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

13 So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty.  When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.  14 Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties;  but now let my life be precious in your sight.”  15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.”  So he arose and went down with him to the king.  16 Then he said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

17 So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.  And because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.”  2 Kings Chapter 1:  Verses 2-3 and 9-17.

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We may laugh and scoff at Ahaziah for seeking an answer to his question only from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, but do we also seek answers to our questions about how to live only from sources other from God through His Word, the Bible? 

For example, I am continually tempted to first and only seek advice on how to handle my finances and prepare for retirement from only “worldly” financial magazines, internet sources, and other sources of information rather than from seeking advice from the Word of God.

I am certainly not saying that we should not seek advice from “worldly sources”.  We should certainly learn about stocks and bonds and index funds and employers’ 401ks and individual Roth IRAs and the importance of diversification in investments and the importance of early and systematic saving and when to begin taking Social Security etc.

But, if we only sought advice from “worldly sources”, we would never tithe nor give as we should.  We would never volunteer nor work in certain low-paying areas of employment.  We would worry and be anxious about money much more than we should.  We would love money, the love of which is the root of all evil.  “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  1 Timothy 6:10.

In conclusion, for those who seek God and meditate on His Word day and night, there is the promise of security and success.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“13 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king.  Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”  14 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak.”

15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?”  And he answered him, “Go up and succeed, and the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”  16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”  17 So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And the Lord said, ‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

…

34 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor.  So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight;  for I am severely wounded.”  35 The battle raged that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot.  36 Then a cry passed throughout the army close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city and every man to his country.”

37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria.  38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), according to the word of the Lord which He spoke.”  1 Kings Chapter 22:  Verses 13-17 and 34-38.

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Ahab died, and thus the people of Israel were without a master as prophesied.

Every man went separately to his own city or countryside, and thus the people of Israel were scattered like sheep without a shepherd as prophesied.

Ahab’s blood was wasted and ran into the bottom of the chariot and was later washed out by the pool of Samaria as prophesied.

In sharpest contrast to the death of Ahab which left the people scattered without a shepherd, the death of Christ drew the people of God together with a shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;  and I lay down My life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, which are not of this fold;  I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice;  and they will become one flock with one shepherd.  John 10:14-16.   “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”  John 12:32.

In sharpest to Ahab who did not die for anyone (or maybe who died for everyone), Christ died for His sheep and only for His sheep.  Not everyone is His sheep.  “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  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 10:26-29.

In summary, today’s Scripture helps us meditate on “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  

Other doctrine falsely teaches that Christ died for everyone, but if you closely examine their teaching, you see that their doctrine holds that it is not the blood of Christ that controls who is saved and who is not saved, but rather it is alleged man’s free-will who controls who is saved and who is not saved, so in that sense their doctrine teaches that Christ did not die specifically for anyone which would guarantee that they would be saved.

And, other doctrine falsely leaves it to each individual to make their own free-will decision on whether or not they will follow Christ.  That is consistent with the call:  “Every man to his city and every man to his country.”  Although sheep are dumb, other doctrine still teaches that it is still up to the dumb sheep as to whether or not they will follow the shepherd.

But, Reformed Doctrine, through “Limited Atonement”, teaches that Christ died only for His sheep (God’s unconditional elect) but that each one of His sheep will be saved.  “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.”  John 10:27-28.

And, Reformed Doctrine teaches that Christ is the good shepherd Who will gather together all of His sheep (God’s unconditional elect) into one flock over whom He will be the one true good shepherd.  Sheep are dumb, and Reformed Doctrine teaches that it is up to their good shepherd to gather them and cause them to follow Him.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth where he has gone down to take possession of it.  19 You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’  And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours.”’”

20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?”  And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord.  21 Behold, I will bring evil upon you, and will utterly sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab every male, both bond and free in Israel;  22 and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and because you have made Israel sin.  23 Of Jezebel also has the Lord spoken, saying, ‘The dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.’  24 The one belonging to Ahab, who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and the one who dies in the field the birds of heaven will eat.”

25 Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife incited him.  26 He acted very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the sons of Israel.

27 It came about when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently.  28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?  Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.”  1 Kings 21:17-29.

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As wicked as Ahab was, he did humble himself such that the LORD brought it to the attention of Elijah and decided to delay the punishment to some extent (“I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.”  Verse 29).

Likewise, we read later in Scripture:  “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.  “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.”’”  2 Kings 22:19-20.

In addition to humbling ourselves before God, we may need to also humble ourselves before men.

“1 My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
2 If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3 Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.”  Proverbs 6:1-5.

(“Importune” is defined by Merriam-Webster online dictionary as “to beg, urge, or solicit persistently or troublesomely”)

This persistence was shown by Jesus in the following parable.

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.  There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’  For a while he was unwilling;  but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said;  now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”  Luke 18:1-7.

In conclusion, to put it all together to get out of trouble (or lessen or delay the trouble), “humble yourself” and “solicit persistently” and “pray and not … lose heart”.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 20.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+20&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“26 At the turn of the year, Ben-hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.  27 The sons of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went to meet them;  and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the country.  28 Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’”  29 So they camped one over against the other seven days.  And on the seventh day the battle was joined, and the sons of Israel killed of the Arameans 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.  30 But the rest fled to Aphek into the city, and the wall fell on 27,000 men who were left.  And Ben-hadad fled and came into the city into an inner chamber.”  1 Kings 20:26-30.

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Indeed, the LORD is not just a god of the mountains, nor just a god of the valleys.  The LORD is God of all as declared in the following Psalm. 

“1 O clap your hands, all peoples;
Shout to God with the voice of joy.
2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues peoples under us
And nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory of Jacob whom He loves.  Selah.

5 God has ascended with a shout,
The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with a skillful psalm.
8 God reigns over the nations,
God sits on His holy throne.
9 The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham,
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is highly exalted.”  Psalm Chapter 47.

Some doctrine wants to put limitations on our LORD like the Arameans.  They say:  “The LORD is god over the mountains and the stars, but He is not god over man’s free-will.”

They form their doctrine and say:

“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.

But, Reformed Doctrine replies “The LORD is God over all, the mountains and the stars and man and all of creation”: 

“2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues peoples under us
And nations under our feet.”  Psalm 47:2-3.

To the desire of other doctrine to be free of the LORD’s Sovereign and Almighty iron grip on them,

“4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

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.’”  Psalm 2:4-9.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 19.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+19&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”  3 And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.  4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.”  5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree;  and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.”  6 Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water.  So he ate and drank and lay down again.  7 The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.”  8 So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  10 He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword.  And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.”  And behold, the Lord was passing by!  And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord;  but the Lord was not in the wind.  And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  12 After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;  and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.  13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.  And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  14 Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts;  for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword.  And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram;  16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.  17 It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death.  18 Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”  1 Kings 19:1-18.

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Today’s Scripture shows us God’s grace given to Elijah in different forms which are also familiar to us.

Sometimes, God’s grace comes to us as simple as food and drink which strengthens us and cheers us.

Sometimes, God’s grace comes to us a spiritual “mountain-top” experience like a church retreat.

Sometimes, God’s grace comes to us in the “fire” of God’s word.  “Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”  Jeremiah 23:29.

Sometimes, God’s grace comes to us as a gentle blowing of the wind.  We feel a gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit to do or to not do something.

And sometimes, God’s grace comes to us as encouragement from realization that we are not alone.  There are fellow saints out there to encourage and help us.

Sometimes, it may not be the grace that we want or expect, but, whatever grace we do receive, God’s grace is sufficient for us.  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9.

But, when we try to meditate on the total number and the nature of the lovingkindnesses that we receive, we learn more and more of “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:7.  We learn more and more of “the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”  Ephesians 1:7-8.

And, our own words are too weak, so we use Scripture to form our praise.

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!”  Psalm 139:17.

“22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23.

“14 But as for me, I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation (“TULIP” – smile) all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.
16 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.”  Psalm 71:14-16.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 18.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+18&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“20 So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel.  21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”  But the people did not answer him a word.  22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.  23 Now let them give us two oxen; and let them choose one ox for themselves and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it;  and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it.  24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”  And all the people said, “That is a good idea.”

25 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”  26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.”  But there was no voice and no one answered.  And they leaped about the altar which they made.  27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”  28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.  29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice;  but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.”  So all the people came near to him.  And he repaired the altar of the Lord which had been torn down.  31 Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.”  32 So with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he made a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two measures of seed.  33 Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood.  34 And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”  And he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time.  And he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.  35 The water flowed around the altar and he also filled the trench with water.

36 At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”  38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces;  and they said, “The Lord, He is God;  the Lord, He is God.”  40 Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.”  So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.”  1 Kings 18:20-40.

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The vivid but futile “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” of the prophets of Baal in today’s Scripture remind us of other doctrine which is also about man and his actions:  “Just do it!  Get more people together.  Show more passion.  Plead more often.  Leap.  It is all about your blood, sweat, and tears.”   

In sharp contrast, the focus on God and the short and simple prayer of Elijah remind us of Reformed Doctrine which is all about God’s Almighty actions:  “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

The prayer of Elijah recognized that if the people’s hearts would be turned back to God, it would need to be God Who would do it.  “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”  Verse 38.

God’s Almighty Action (of His fire which consumed the burnt offering and surrounding elements) caused the people to fall on their faces and confess that the LORD is God.  God did turn their heart back again as Elijah requested.  “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces;  and they said, “The Lord, He is God;  the Lord, He is God.”  Verses 38-39.

“16 And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
18 According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will make recompense.
19 So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west
And His glory from the rising of the sun,
For He will come like a rushing stream
Which the wind of the Lord drives.
20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord.

21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord:  “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”  Isaiah 59:16-21.