Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

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

I quote only the following verses.

“5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 men of the Arameans.  6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus;  and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute.  And the Lord helped David wherever he went.  7 David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.  8 Also from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils.

9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,  10 he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou.  And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations:  from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.  13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David.  And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel;  and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.”  1 Chronicles 18:5-14.

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God fulfilled His promise to David:  “And I will subdue all your enemies.”  1 Chronicles 17:10.

We also read in today’s Scripture:  “And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”  Verses 6 and 13.

But, God’s fulfillment of this promise and also His other help were not done solely for David’s sake.  We read about one of the other purposes in the following verse 14:  “So David reigned over all Israel;  and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.”

Likewise, when God’s fulfills His promise to us, helps us, and otherwise guides, protects, and blesses us, we should expect that God will use those blessings to produce justice and righteousness for the benefit of others.

We may be tempted to boast in our own wisdom, might, and riches and to use those things solely for our self.

But, God is at work.

“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.

Like God was at work in David, God is at work in us to produce lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth.”:  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“Drip down, O heavens, from above,
And let the clouds pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,
And righteousness spring up with it.
I, the Lord, have created it.”  Isaiah 45:8.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicle chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+17&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“3 It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell David My servant, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in;  5 for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.  6 In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’”’ 7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.  8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you;  and I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.  9 I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and not be moved again;  and the wicked will not waste them anymore as formerly, 10 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel.  And I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover, I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you.  11 When your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up one of your descendants after you, who will be of your sons;  and I will establish his kingdom.  12 He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.  13 I will be his father and he shall be My son;  and I will not take My lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.  14 But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”’”  1 Chronicles 17:3-14.

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David wanted to build a house for the LORD.  But, the LORD promised to build a house for David and to do other things for David and his descendants.

There are approximately ten “I will” promises by the LORD in today’s Scripture.

The LORD dramatically changed the focus from what David wanted to do to a focus on what the LORD would do.  These “I will” promises by the LORD dominate today’s Scripture.

There is a lesson beyond just what these promises provide.

Our focus should be on the promises of the LORD.

Our faith should be in the promises of the LORD.

We will do good works for the LORD.  But, we will do these good works out of faith in the promises of God.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

Rather than focus and be glad about what we have done and what we intend to do, let us focus and be glad about what God has done and what He has promised to do.

“For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4.

“The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.”  Psalm 126:3.

“8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”  Psalm 52:8-9.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 16:31-43 (which also repeats verse 31 from yesterday’s Scripture).  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;
For He is coming to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
35 Then say, “Save us, O God of our salvation,
And gather us and deliver us from the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
And glory in Your praise.”
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting.

Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord.”    1 Chronicles 16:31-36.

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“The Lord reigns.”  Verse 31.

Man’s thanks and praise is not enough to respond to the LORD’s righteous and glorious reign.

“Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.”  Verse 32.

“Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD.”  Verse 33.

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice”  Verse 31.

Other doctrine focuses on man, trying to correct man.  It seems righteous.  But, it does not correct man and only leads to superficial changes, smugness, self-sufficiency, and boasting in man.

Reformed Doctrine focuses on God, ascribing to God full credit for salvation and for all the other glory due His name.  It is righteous.  “The Lord has made known His salvation”.  It is His salvation from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  “For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.”  See Psalm 98:1-2.

The following Psalm chapter 98 is similar to today’s Scripture and expands this theme of God’s reign, His salvation, His righteous judgment, and this vivid imagery of all creation praising God.

“1 O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
With the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
Shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.

7 Let the sea roar and all it contains,
The world and those who dwell in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy
9 Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth;
He will judge the world with righteousness
And the peoples with equity.”  Psalm chapter 98.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 16:23-31.

“23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him;
Worship the Lord in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”  1 Chronicles 16:23-31.

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Dictionary.com defines “ascribe” as:

“1.  to credit or assign, as to a cause or source;  attribute;  impute:

The alphabet is usually ascribed to the Phoenicians.”

Other doctrine ascribes salvation in whole or in part to man.  Other doctrine teaches that man earns his salvation by his works or by his will (his faith or his free-will choice of Christ).

But, Reformed Doctrine systematically, logically, and comprehensively ascribes salvation to God alone.  Reformed Doctrine starts by humbling man with its teaching of “Total Depravity” that man is dead in sin, hostile to God, and enslaved to sin and Satan.  By so doing, Reformed Doctrine prepares our hearts for “Unconditional Election”, because it makes logical sense that if “Total Depravity” is the natural condition of man, then there is no condition that man has or can produce that would motivate God to elect him for salvation.  Salvation logically must proceed from God’s “Unconditional Election”.  Reformed Doctrine then comprehensively teaches us how God accomplishes His salvation from “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints”.

All points of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation combine to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name”.  Verse 28.
 
And, Reformed Doctrine is pleased to “Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.”  Verse 23.

Other doctrine trembles before man, wringing their hands and worrying others:  “What will man do?”

But, Reformed Doctrine proclaims:
“The Lord reigns.”
“Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.”  Verses 30-31.

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

But, Reformed Doctrine points out:
“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.”  Psalm 2:4-6.

Other doctrine looks down to man.

But, Reformed Doctrine looks up to God.

Other doctrine tells the glory of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine tells of the glory of God and His wonderful deeds among all the people.  Verse 24.

Other doctrine sighs at what man does.

But, Reformed Doctrine sings about what God has done:
“Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place.”  Verse 27.

In summary, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name”.  “Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 16:15-22.

“15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.
17 He also confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
As the portion of your inheritance.”
19 When they were only a few in number,
Very few, and strangers in it,
20 And they wandered about from nation to nation,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to oppress them,
And He reproved kings for their sakes, saying,
22 “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”  1 Chronicles 16:15-22.

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When we meditate here on God’s covenant to give the land of Israel to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, we notice that God’s covenant was not given to everyone, but only to a specific group of people when they were very few.  They were chosen to receive the land of Canaan.

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 7:7-8.

The short rhyme “To you … Very few” reminds us of this precious truth.  And it is consistent with the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:14:  “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-29.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

“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 (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”  And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door;  for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:23-24.

“Enter through the narrow gate;  for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14.

The narrow door of salvation, that narrow gate, is “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. 

We humble ourselves first by acknowledging that our natural condition is “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, and then we gladly seek and embrace the precious truth of “Unconditional Election”, realizing that because of our “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election” is our only chance for salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 16.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“8 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,”  1 Chronicles 16:8-12.

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Sadly, how often we hear preaching and teaching that focuses on us and what we are doing wrong and what we need to correct!

Gladly, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and His deeds, His wonders, His wonderful deeds.

Our natural condition is “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  It should be no wonder that we sin.  “Total Depravity” teaches us not only that we are dead in sin, hostile to God, and enslaved to sin and Satan.  No amount of alleged free-will or increased wisdom or increased effort or eloquent preaching or teaching is going to change that “Total Depravity”.

Our only hope is God and His deeds, His wonders, His wonderful deeds.

Gladly, Reformed Doctrine make them known from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 15.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+15&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“2 Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites;  for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.”  3 And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place which he had prepared for it.

…

11 Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites;  consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.”  14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.  15 The sons of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.

…

25 So it was David, with the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, who went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom with joy. 26 Because God was helping the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers.  David also wore an ephod of linen. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud-sounding cymbals, with harps and lyres.”  1 Chronicles Chapter 15:  Verses 2-3 and 11-15 and 25-28.

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We remember what happened last time David transported the ark of the covenant.  “When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it.  The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.  Then David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzza;  and he called that place Perez-uzza to this day.  David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”  1 Chronicles 13:9-12.

In today’s Scripture, we see the determination of David to be more careful in transporting the ark.  Everything was to be done “by the book”, so to speak, “as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.”  Verse 15.

But, there was still one thing missing. 

God supplied that very important missing thing.  God helped.  God gave grace.

But, this help, this grace, was not without the shedding of blood. 

“Because God was helping the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.”  Verse 26.

God supplied the grace through the shedding of blood by causing the Levites to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams.

The lesson for us is that we cannot worship God as we should, or more generally we cannot live lives of obedience, without God’s grace given through the shedding of the precious blood of Christ.  1 Peter chapter 1 gives us a good summary.

First, like the Levites were “chosen”, we are “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”.  1 Peter 1:1-2.

Second, like David was “afraid of God”, “conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”  1 Peter 1:17-19.

Third, like David was not paralyzed by fear, but prepared his mind for more careful action in transporting the ark, trusting God’s grace for success:  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:13.

Fourth, like David dressed in a robe of fine linen and also wore an ephod of linen, symbolizing holiness, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:16.  And, God clothes us with the holy righteousness of Christ.  Isaiah 61:10.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 13.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+13&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.  6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called.  7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.  8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it.  10 The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.  11 Then David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzza; and he called that place Perez-uzza to this day.  12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”  13 So David did not take the ark with him to the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  14 Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months;  and the Lord blessed the family of Obed-edom with all that he had.”  1 Chronicles 13:5-14.

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Like David and all Israel, we may be “celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets.”  Verse 8.  Such element of worship may or may not please God, but it is not enough.

Some pleasing element of worship gives us no excuse to handle other elements of worship of God outside of His commandments as to how they are to be handled.  Today’s Scripture shows us that we cannot even so much as touch elements of God’s worship outside of God’s commandments.

Although it is not the primary focus of this devotion, the Regulative Principle of Worship of Reformed Doctrine should now be mentioned.  Here is an article on it titled “The Regulative Principle of Worship (1)” by Griess Cory in the Standard Bearer publication of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Volume 88/2012, Issue:  14, 4/15/2012.  Here is a link to the article – http://standardbearer.rfpa.org/articles/regulative-principle-worship-1

The primary focus of this devotion is more general.

We may think elements of worship will fall or fail unless we save them or at least “tweak” them.  But, that action is not our prerogative. 

First of all, we notice that the concluding verses of today’s Scripture shows that the family of Obed-edom was blessed, not because of how they handled the ark, but simply because the ark remained there three months.

Generally, we think it is up to us to build the church.  We strive.  We tweak.  We worry. 

We need to remember the words of Jesus:  “… I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Matthew 16:18.

“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.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7.

“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10.

In conclusion, we tend to be wise in our own eyes.  We tend to lean on our own understanding.  We tend to think it is up to us to save the ark or the church.  But, we would do well to humble ourselves and have child-like trust in God as shown in the following Scripture.

“1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.”  Psalm chapter 131.

Other doctrine exhorts:  “Just try harder!” relying on their alleged free-will, wisdom, and ability to save the world.

Reformed Doctrine comforts:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” relying on God Who handles all the points of salvation from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. 

Today’s devotion comes fro 1 Chronicles chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish;  and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 2 They were equipped with bows, using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow; they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin.

…

22 For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army like the army of God.

23 Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord.

…

38 All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel;  and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king.  39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their kinsmen had prepared for them.  40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on donkeys, camels, mules and on oxen, great quantities of flour cakes, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen and sheep.  There was joy indeed in Israel.”  1 Chronicles Chapter 12:  Verses 1-2 and 22-23 and 38-40.

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The people of Reformed Doctrine identify themselves with the people of today’s Scripture.  They fully support Christ the King and celebrate with joy His sovereign rule. 

But, there are those who cling to their alleged free-will.  They can’t stand predestination.  They form their own idol of “the man upstairs” at their beck and call.  They subvert and revolt against Christ the King of Scripture Who rules over all with a rod of iron and Who does not give up one inch of His absolute total sovereign power to man.   

“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:2-3.

But, the LORD is not worried.

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.

“But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”  Luke 9:27.

“The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”  Exodus 15:18.

“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 2:10-12.