Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 28.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2028&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, his own city.  And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists.  4 So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped in Shunem;  and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa.  5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. 6 When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.  7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.”  And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”  1 Samuel 28:3-7.

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Saul want wisdom to fight the Philistines.

We also want wisdom to do many different things.

Saul initially did right in removing the mediums and spiritists.  Saul even did right in the next step in inquiring of the LORD.  But then, Saul gave up when the LORD did not answer him, and Saul did evil by seeking a medium.

We also may do what is right in living what we consider to be a pure and holy life.  We may go to church.  We may read the Bible.  We may pray.  But, do we give up and seek advice from those on whom we should not rely? 

We may laugh at mediums and spiritists and think that we would never seek them. 

But, do we rely on people just because they claim to be “spiritual”?  

Or, do we rely on our own “spiritual feelings”? 

Reformed Doctrine can help!

One of the Five Solas of the Reformation is “Sola Scripture” (meaning Scripture Alone)  which teaches us that we should rely on Scripture alone to reveal the source of truth, the complete truth, and the final answer of truth.  See the article written by Rev. Rodney Kleyn of the Protestant Reformed Churches titled “The Five Solas of the Reformation” which is linked by my following “Five Solas” tag at the top of my web site –  https://reformeddoctrine.com/the-five-solas-of-the-reformation/

“97 O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:97-105.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 27.

“1 Then David said to himself, “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul.  There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines.  Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.”  2 So David arose and crossed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.  3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s widow.  4 Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

5 Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there;  for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”  6 So Achish gave him Ziklag that day;  therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.  7 The number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.

8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites;  for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt.  9 David attacked the land and did not leave a man or a woman alive, and he took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing.  Then he returned and came to Achish. 10 Now Achish said, “Where have you made a raid today?”  And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites.”  11 David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12 So Achish believed David, saying, “He has surely made himself odious among his people Israel;  therefore he will become my servant forever.”  1 Samuel Chapter 27.

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We remember from the previous chapter that Saul came to his senses.  “Then Saul said, “I have sinned.  Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day.  Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.”  1 Samuel 26:21.

David may have thought and hoped that he could live thereafter peacefully in Israel for the rest of his life.  But, we read in today’s Scripture:  “Then David said to himself, “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul.  There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines.  Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.”  Verse 1.

There are two major lessons that we can glean from today’s Scripture.  First, just because God helps us through one trial does not mean that there will be no more trials.   Second, God often delivers us through humble and unexpected means.

Likewise, in 1 Kings Chapter 17, we read a series of unexpected deliverances by God.  God delivered Elijah from a drought through a miraculous provision of ravens at Cherith (Kerith) brook.  However, the brook dried up.  Then, God delivered Elijah through the miraculous provision of a widow and her handful of flour and a little oil in the jar.  However, the widow’s son became so sick that there was no breath left in him.  Then, God miraculously returned the son’s life to him.

“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.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.”  Psalm 34:17-19.

We cannot predict how many trials we will face nor how our LORD will deliver us.  But, we notice that this preceding Scripture twice assures us that our LORD delivers us out of “all” of our troubles.

Too often, I set my hope on having no more trials.  Too often, I set my hope on receiving a check in the mail.  But, our LORD often uses other and humble and unexpected means to deliver me.

In summary, we cannot depend on having life without troubles whatever they may be.  We cannot predict how our LORD will deliver us out of any particular trouble.  We can only depend on our LORD Who delivers us out of all our troubles.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 26.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+26&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”  And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”  7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head;  and Abner and the people were lying around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand;  now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”  9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?”  10 David also said, “As the Lord lives, surely the Lord will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish.  11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go.”  12 So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul’s head, and they went away, but no one saw or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

…

21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.”  22 David replied, “Behold the spear of the king!  Now let one of the young men come over and take it.  23 The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.  24 Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He deliver me from all distress.”  25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David;  you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.”  So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”  1 Samuel Chapter 26:  Verses 6-12 and 21-25.

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“Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”  Proverbs 20:22.

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink;  for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:17-21.

“7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret;  it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.”  Psalm 37:7-9.

Like Abishai wanted to take the spear into his hands and strike Saul (verse 8), other doctrine teaches us to depend on ourselves and take things into our own hands.

But, like David waited for the LORD (“may He deliver me from all distress” verse 24), Reformed Doctrine teaches us to wait for the LORD to save us from “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints” (and in between “Limited Atonement” and “Irresistible Grace”) all of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 25.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+25&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, and he scorned them.  15 Yet the men were very good to us, and we were not insulted, nor did we miss anything as long as we went about with them, while we were in the fields.  16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the time we were with them tending the sheep.  17 Now therefore, know and consider what you should do, for evil is plotted against our master and against all his household; and he is such a worthless man that no one can speak to him.”

18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread and two jugs of wine and five sheep already prepared and five measures of roasted grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  19 She said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I am coming after you.”  But she did not tell her husband Nabal.  20 It came about as she was riding on her donkey and coming down by the hidden part of the mountain, that behold, David and his men were coming down toward her; so she met them.  21 Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him;  and he has returned me evil for good.  22 May God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if by morning I leave as much as one male of any who belong to him.”

23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and dismounted from her donkey, and fell on her face before David and bowed herself to the ground.  24 She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the blame.  And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant.  25 Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him;  but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.

26 “Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, since the Lord has restrained you from shedding blood, and from avenging yourself by your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek evil against my lord, be as Nabal.  27 Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who accompany my lord.

…

32 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, 33 and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.”  1 Samuel Chapter 25:  Verses 14-27 and 32-33.

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Ultimately, the LORD received credit and praise for using His sovereign power to specifically send Abigail to David and for generally restraining David from shedding blood.  But, the discernment and intercession of Abigail was also recognized and praised.

Today, we will focus on discernment.  We will meditate on Proverbs 2:3-20 which I have broken up into sections followed by my comments in italic font.    

“3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.”  Proverbs 2:3-5.

First, we see the value of discernment and the object of discernment.  Discernment is valuable “as silver” and “hidden treasure”.  The primary object of discernment is to discover the knowledge of God. 

Other doctrine primarily seeks to know more about man and what man should do. 

But, Reformed Doctrine primarily seeks to know more about God and what He has done.      

“6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.”  Proverbs 2:6-8.

Other doctrine depends on its sermons and teachings and the free-will and wisdom of man. 

But, Reformed Doctrine continually builds faith in the LORD and trusts the LORD to give wisdom and to preserve the way of His elect (“Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation).  

“Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.”  Proverbs 2:9.

Abigail’s discernment led her to the good course of action of interceding and bringing a gift and humble pleas to David. 

Our discernment, received as a gift from God, will also lead us to every good course of action. 

“For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;”  Proverbs 2:10.

Because knowledge will be pleasant to our soul, gaining wisdom will be like a sport to us according to the following Scripture. 

“Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.”  Proverbs 10:23. 

“11 Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over you,
12 To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things;
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who delight in doing evil
And rejoice in the perversity of evil;
15 Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
16 To deliver you from the strange woman,
From the adulteress who flatters with her words;
17 That leaves the companion of her youth
And forgets the covenant of her God;
18 For her house sinks down to death
And her tracks lead to the dead;
19 None who go to her return again,
Nor do they reach the paths of life.”  Proverbs 2:11-19.

Discernment and discretion will protect us.  

“So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.”  Proverbs 2:20.

In final summary, discernment will lead us to walk in good and righteous paths and stay within them.   

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 24.

“1 Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”  2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.  3 He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave;  and Saul went in to relieve himself.  Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave.  4 The men of David said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold;  I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’”  Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly.  5 It came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.  6 So he said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”  7 David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul.  And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his way.

8 Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!”  And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.  9 David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?  10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’  11 Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand!  For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.  12 May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you;  but my hand shall not be against you.  13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’;  but my hand shall not be against you.  14 After whom has the king of Israel come out?  Whom are you pursuing?  A dead dog, a single flea?  15 The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me;  and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”  Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept.  17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I;  for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you. 18 You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the Lord delivered me into your hand and yet you did not kill me.  19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely?  May the Lord therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.  20 Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.  21 So now swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s household.”  22 David swore to Saul.  And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”    1 Samuel Chapter 24.

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“You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.”  Matthew 7:16-20.

David knew that Saul would recognize his goodness by his fruits.  If David was wicked, he would act wickedly.  “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’ …”  Verse 13.

But, David did not act wickedly.  Just the opposite, David acted righteously in sparing Saul’s life, and David convinced Saul that he (David) was righteous.  “He (Saul) said to David, “You are more righteous than I;  for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you.”  Verse 17.

Other doctrine focuses on man’s alleged free-will and urges men to try harder to be a good tree.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and God’s creation.  A tree is created by God, and the type of tree created by God determines its fruit.  “… Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”  Matthew 7:16.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17.

“For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  Galatians 6:15.

Here is what the Canons of Dordt states in part.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.   THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE  Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 23.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+23&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“14 David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph.  And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

15 Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.  16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.  17 Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you;  and Saul my father knows that also.”  18 So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord;  and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.

19 Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?  20 Now then, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to do so;  and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.”  21 Saul said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, for you have had compassion on me.  22 Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there;  for I am told that he is very cunning.  23 So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you;  and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

24 Then they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.  25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon.  And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.  26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain;  and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them.  27 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” 28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines;  therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.  29 David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.”  1 Samuel 23:14-29.

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The wilderness may have provided David with many good hiding places.  David may have even been “very cunning”.  Verse 22.  But, David attributes his success to God, His “hiding place”.

“You are my hiding place;  You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.”  Psalm 32:7.

The Book of Psalms (including the above-stated one) are filled with the praises of David for God’s deliverance.  As another example, my NASB Bible connects Psalm 54 (a section of which is quoted below) to today’s Scripture with the following introduction:  “A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Is not David hiding himself among us?”

“4 Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
5 He will recompense the evil to my foes;
Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

6 Willingly I will sacrifice to You;
I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For He has delivered me from all trouble,
And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.”  Psalm 54:4-7.

We too have our hiding place.  “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:4-5.

“20 Come, my people, enter into your rooms
And close your doors behind you;
Hide for a little while
Until indignation runs its course.
21 For behold, the Lord is about to come out from His place
To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
And the earth will reveal her bloodshed
And will no longer cover her slain.”  Isaiah 26:20-21.

Other doctrine would like us to poke our heads out of the hiding place to “see what we are made of” whether of cunning, courage, works, wisdom, or will.

But, Reformed Doctrine will not do so.  God is the “hiding place” of Reformed Doctrine from  “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints” (and in between “Limited Atonement” and “Irresistible Grace”) all of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“11 Then the king sent someone to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s household, the priests who were in Nob;  and all of them came to the king.  12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”  And he answered, “Here I am, my lord.”  13 Saul then said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?”

14 Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king’s son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house?  15 Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today?  Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.”  16 But the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!”  17 And the king said to the guards who were attending him, “Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not reveal it to me.”  But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the Lord.  18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn around and attack the priests.” A nd Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.  19 And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants;  also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.

20 But one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.  21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord.  22 Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul.  I have brought about the death of every person in your father’s household.  23 Stay with me;  do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me.”  1 Samuel 22:11-23.

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We are shocked at the action of Saul in not only killing Ahimelech but also killing all the others in Nob:  priests, other men, women, even children and infants, with the exception of Abiathar who escaped and fled after David.  It helps us to understand the depth of evil through “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Are things out of God’s control? 

No, God preserved a remnant of the priests, Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech.  We see God preserving remnants of Israel through history.

Abiathar was led to truly rely on David who said in the concluding verse of today’s Scripture:  “Stay with me;  do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me.”  Verse 23.  And, we see other remnants “… will truly on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 10:20.   

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

“20 Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.

21 A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
22 For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea,
Only a remnant within them will return;
A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.”  Isaiah 10:20-22.

In conclusion, other doctrine continues to rely on man and the alleged free-will of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine truly relies on the LORD from the beginning to the end, from “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints” (and in between “Limited Atonement” and “Irresistible Grace”) all of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest;  and Ahimelech came trembling to meet David and said to him, “Why are you alone and no one with you?”  2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you;  and I have directed the young men to a certain place.’  3 Now therefore, what do you have on hand?  Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”  4 The priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread;  if only the young men have kept themselves from women.”  5 David answered the priest and said to him, “Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey;  how much more then today will their vessels be holy?”  6 So the priest gave him consecrated bread;  for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence which was removed from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place when it was taken away.

…

8 David said to Ahimelech, “Now is there not a spear or a sword on hand?  For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s matter was urgent.”  9 Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod;  if you would take it for yourself, take it.  For there is no other except it here.”  And David said, “There is none like it;  give it to me.”  1 Samuel Chapter 21:  Verses 1-6 and 8-9.

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Today’s Scripture gives us insight into the glorious hope that we have as God’s consecrated people.   

My New American Standard Version Bible defines “Consecration” as “Act by which a person or thing is dedicated or set apart by another for the service of the Lord.”

We see most clearly that the bread was consecrated.  “The priest answered David and said, “There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread …”  Verse 4.

We infer that the sword was also consecrated as it was “wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod” in the possession of the priest.  Verse 9.

But, we can also discern from this Scripture and other Scripture that David was also consecrated.  “David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you …”  Verse 2.

That consecration of David gave David certain privileges, even over other consecrated things;  David could ask for and be given the consecrated bread and sword.  David was not subject to the elementary principles of “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”  Colossians 2:21.

The actions of David gives us hope!

We too are consecrated people. 

“The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments;  and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor;  and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.”  Deuteronomy 26:18-19.

“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.

” and in Him (Christ) you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;”  Colossians 2:10.

And, as consecrated people, we too have privileges.

“… He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come;  but the substance belongs to Christ.  …   If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”  Colossians 2:13-17 and 20-21.

“So then let no one boast in men.  For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come;  all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ;  and Christ belongs to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“30 Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman!  Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?  31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established.  Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.” 32 But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death?  What has he done?”  33 Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down;  so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.  34 Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.

35 Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him. 36 He said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.”  As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him.  37 When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan called after the lad, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!”  And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39 But the lad was not aware of anything;  only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.  40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”  41 When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times.  And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more.  42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’”  Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.”  1 Samuel 20:30-42.

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Today’s Scripture shows the determination of Saul to put David to death despite that David had done nothing to deserve it, despite the intercession of Jonathan, Saul’s son, and despite the strong friendship that Jonathan had with David.

Jonathan sided with David.  Jonathan deceived his father and entered a covenant of friendship with his father’s enemy David.  Jonathan loved David more than his father.

Our family may be strongly or subtly pulling us away from Christ.  And, we may find ourselves on the other side, apart from our family, but with Christ.  We find ourselves loving Christ more than our family.

Christ said:  “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth;  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;  and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;  and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”  Matthew 10:34-37.

Some doctrine may portray this as simply a free-will choice.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees the sovereign sword in the hand of Christ in this Scripture and that He came to set a man against his father.

Reformed Doctrine teaches “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  “Irresistible Grace” is given to us to draw us to Christ, sometimes with our family, but sometimes away from our family (so to speak, cutting the cord with the sword).

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

I quote the following verses.

“1 Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death.  But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David.  2 So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death.  Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.  3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you;  if I find out anything, then I will tell you.”  4 Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Do not let the king sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very beneficial to you.  5 For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel;  you saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death without a cause?”  6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.”  7 Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these words.  And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as formerly.

8 When there was war again, David went out and fought with the Philistines and defeated them with great slaughter, so that they fled before him.  9 Now there was an evil spirit from the Lord on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the harp with his hand.  10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

11 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, in order to put him to death in the morning.  But Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.”  12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he went out and fled and escaped.  13 Michal took the household idol and laid it on the bed, and put a quilt of goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with clothes.  14 When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.”  15 Then Saul sent messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed, that I may put him to death.”  16 When the messengers entered, behold, the household idol was on the bed with the quilt of goats’ hair at its head.  17 So Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?”  And Michal said to Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go!  Why should I put you to death?’”  1 Samuel 19:1-17.

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David was protected by Jonathan’s verbal intercession.  Verses 1-7.  David was also protected by Michal’s physical deception.  Verses 11-17.  And, David was directly protected by God Who caused the spear to miss its mark and be stuck in the wall.  Verses 8-10.

Sometimes, we can protect people by only verbal intercession, by just saying a good word about the person threatened to the person threatening.

Sometimes, verbal intercession will not be enough, and we need to do more.

And, sometimes, there is no person to attribute protection other than God.

Overall, we know that protection comes ultimately from God.  

“7 The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
8 The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.”  Psalm 121:7-8.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3.

We know that God sometimes uses people as tools, and the following Scripture should encourage people like Jonathan and Michal who do consider the helpless and who do intercede and protect them.  God in turn will protect them too.     

“1 How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.
How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.
2 The Lord will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
3 The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health.”  Psalm 41:1-3.

But, the LORD does more than protect a best friend (as Jonathan did) or a spouse (as Michal did).  The LORD protects the strangers, and thereby gives us the best example to follow.  

“The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.”  Psalm 146:9.