Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1  Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold,  the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.”  And he turned aside and sat down.  2 He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.”  So they sat down.  3 Then he said to the closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.  4 So I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people.  If you will redeem it, redeem it;  but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’”  And he said, “I will redeem it.”  5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”  6 The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance.  Redeem it for yourself;  you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

…

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.  10 Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”  11 All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses.  May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel;  and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.  12 Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her.  And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.  15 May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age;  for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”  Ruth Chapter 4:  Verses 1-6 and 9-15.

—————————-

In today’s Scripture, we notice that the closest relative only wanted to generally redeem the land:  “And he said, “I will redeem it.”  Verse 4.

But, notice what Boaz replied:  “Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”  Verse 5.

Today’s Scripture helps us understand “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  “Limited Atonement” is also known as “Particular Redemption”.

No Christian denies atonement.  No Christian denies redemption.  The issue is only whether atonement is limited or universal, or in other words, the issue is whether the redemption is particular or general.  Was atonement made for everyone which is “Universal Atonement”, or was atonement made (or limited) for just God’s elect which is “Limited Atonement”?  Or, in other words, was redemption made for everyone which is “General Redemption”, or was redemption particular to just God’s elect which is “Particular Redemption”?

On its face, “Universal Atonement” should make no sense.  Although it may appeal to a warm, fuzzy feeling that God loves everyone, when we take time to consider it, it should not make sense.  If Christ indeed died for everyone and atoned for everyone’s sins and redeemed everyone, then everyone would be saved.  The fact that Scripture very clearly and repeatedly teaches that not everyone is saved should cause us to believe that atonement is limited (or, in other words, the redemption is particular).

Thus, we have an insight into the fact that redemption is not general, but redemption is particular to a specific person.  Or, in other words, atonement is not made universally, but it is made (or limited) to a specific person.  Not everyone was redeemed;  only Ruth was particularly redeemed.

In today’s Scripture, we also notice that Boaz married Ruth, and we even get a closer, more intimate sense to what is meant by “Limited Atonement” also known as  “Particular Redemption”.

If a wife asked her husband, “Do you love me?”, would she be pleased if her husband replied:  “Yes, I love everyone.”?

If a wife asked her husband, “Will you give yourself to me?”, would she be pleased if her husband replied:  “Yes, I give myself to everybody.”?

The relationship between Christ and God’s elect, the church, has been compared to the marriage relationship between a husband and wife.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

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

“10 Then he (Boaz) said, “May you (Ruth) be blessed of the Lord, my daughter.  You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.  11 Now, my daughter, do not fear.  I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.  12 Now it is true I am a close relative;  however, there is a relative closer than I.  13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good;  let him redeem you.  But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”  15 Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.”  So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her.  Then she went into the city.  16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”  And she told her all that the man had done for her.  17 She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”  18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out;  for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”  Ruth 3:10-18.

——————-

Today’s Scripture gives us insight into spiritual redemption of our bodies.  The six measures of barley signify the first fruits of the Spirit given to us as a promise and pledge of our inheritance of the redemption of our bodies to cause us wait patiently for the redemption of our bodies to occur.  

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.

“And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;  for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:23-25.

“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:29-40.

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:8-9.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:51-58.

The fruit of the Spirit of patience (Galatians 5:22) causes us to wait patiently while we wait for this glorious redemption of our bodies.  

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.  2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.”  And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”  3 So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers;  and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.  4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.”  And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.”  5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”  6 The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.  7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ Thus she came and has remained from the morning until now;  she has been sitting in the house for a little while.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids.  9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them.  Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you.  When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.”  10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”  11 Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.  12 May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  Ruth 2:1-12.

————————

An element of faith is the belief that God rewards those who seek him.  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

Ruth did indeed believe Boaz that he would reward her and did stick with Boaz’ field and servants.

We also work for others believing that they will reward us.

So, this concept should not be strange to us.

Certainly, there are abuses by many preachers, especially televangelists, who preach a “prosperity gospel”.  But, the Scriptures are filled with promises of rewards from our LORD.  We should take heed to these Scriptures and study them and not just dismiss these Scriptures every time as being only a “prosperity gospel”.  

Nor should we minimize and dismiss the promises of a reward in these Scriptures as being “only” the reward of eternal life as supremely great as that is.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8: 31.

These Scriptures should build our faith.  The sharing of these Scriptures should encourage us and others to be steadfast.  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:18. 

Here are some of the Scriptures.

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you;  Your reward shall be very great.”  Genesis 15:1.

“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”  2 Chronicles 15:7.

“Moreover, by them (the commandments of the LORD) Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”  Psalm 19:11.

“And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;  Surely there is a God who judges on earth!”  Psalm 58:11.

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.”  Psalm 127:3.

“18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life,
And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.”  Proverbs 11:18-19.

“21 Adversity pursues sinners,
But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”  Proverbs 13:21-22.

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.”  Proverbs 22:4.

“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting:  to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him;  for this is his reward.  Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.  For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20.

“Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun;  for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 9:9.

“Behold, the Lord God will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him
And His recompense before Him.”  Isaiah 40:10.

“11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth,
Say to the daughter of Zion, “Lo, your salvation comes;
Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”
12 And they will call them, “The holy people,
The redeemed of the Lord”;
And you will be called, “Sought out, a city not forsaken.”  Isaiah 62:11-12.

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;  for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:12.

“so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.’  Matthew 6:4.

“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.   And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:41-42.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;  and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”  Luke 6:35.

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one;  but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”  1 Corinthians 3:8.

“If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.”  1 Corinthians 3:14.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”  Colossians 3:23-24.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land.  And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.  2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi;  and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah.  Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there.  3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died;  and she was left with her two sons.  4 They took for themselves Moabite women as wives;  the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth.  And they lived there about ten years.  5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.  7 So she departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.  8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house.  May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.  9 May the Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”  Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.  10 And they said to her, “No, but we will surely return with you to your people.”  11 But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters.  Why should you go with me?  Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?  12 Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband.  If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait until they were grown?  Would you therefore refrain from marrying?  No, my daughters;  for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.”

14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again;  and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods;  return after your sister-in-law.”  16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you;  for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”  18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.”  Ruth 1:1-18.

—————————————-

Ruth and Orpah were Moabites, foreigners, and Naomi wondered why they hung around her when she headed back to her own nation and home of her own religion.  Orpah indeed finally left, but Ruth clung to her.

There may be people who hang around us too, and we wonder why.  They may not show us that they have a lively faith in Christ, they may not talk much about what they believe, but they still hang around us and follow us.  They are willing to quietly and respectfully listen as we read Scripture and pray.  They are willing to attend church with us.

There is hope!    

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire;  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God.  Canons of Dordt FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

We may even be married to an unbeliever.  But, what does Scripture state?

“But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.  And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.”  1 Corinthians 7:12-14.

And, for the rest, “… let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.  Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”  Jonah 3:8-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Judges Chapter 21.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2021&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, “None of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin in marriage.”  2 So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.  3 They said, “Why, O Lord, God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?”  4 It came about the next day that the people arose early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5 Then the sons of Israel said, “Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who did not come up in the assembly to the Lord?”  For they had taken a great oath concerning him who did not come up to the Lord at Mizpah, saying, “He shall surely be put to death.”  6 And the sons of Israel were sorry for their brother Benjamin and said, “One tribe is cut off from Israel today.  7 What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by the Lord not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?”

8 And they said, “What one is there of the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the Lord at Mizpah?” And behold, no one had come to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.  9 For when the people were numbered, behold, not one of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was there.  10 And the congregation sent 12,000 of the valiant warriors there, and commanded them, saying, “Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones. 11 This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every man and every woman who has lain with a man.”  12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead 400 young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him;  and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

13 Then the whole congregation sent word and spoke to the sons of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.  14 Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; yet they were not enough for them.  15 And the people were sorry for Benjamin because the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

16 Then the elders of the congregation said, “What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?”  17 They said, “There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe will not be blotted out from Israel. 18 But we cannot give them wives of our daughters.”  For the sons of Israel had sworn, saying, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to Benjamin.”

19 So they said, “Behold, there is a feast of the Lord from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south side of Lebonah.”  20 And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards, 21 and watch; and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to take part in the dances, then you shall come out of the vineyards and each of you shall catch his wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.”  Judges Chapter 21:  Verses 1-21.

—————————

We don’t necessarily specifically condone everything that the sons of Israel did in this chapter, noting the concluding verse of this chapter.  “In those days there was no king in Israel;  everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  Verse 25.  But, we do generally commend the compassion of the sons of Israel for the tribe of Benjamin and that they took steps to rebuild the tribe of Benjamin. 

The sons of Israel felt that they had punished the tribe of Benjamin enough.  They did not want to exterminate completely the tribe of Benjamin.  They now felt sorry for the tribe of Benjamin and wanted to provide for their survival.

We know from the prior chapter that the sons of Israel commanded all the tribes to provide men to go to war against the sons of Benjamin and that they killed about all except 600 men who turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon.  Judges 20:47.

600 men were therefore left, but there were no women from the tribe of Benjamin for them to marry so as to continue the existence of the tribe.

The sons of Israel made two provisions for the rebuilding the tribe of Benjamin.

First, the fact that no one had come to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly to go to war with the sons of Benjamin provided one partial solution.  The sons of Israel would utterly destroy every man and women from Jabesh-gilead to punish them for not obeying the command to go to war, but they would save the virgins for the sons of Benjamin.  However, it only provided 400 women.

Second, the sons of Israel would allow the sons of Benjamin to take wives for themselves from the daughters of Shiloh who come out to take part in the dances in the yearly feast.

We see that Scripture does commend compassion and rebuilding.

“Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire.  Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.”  Nehemiah 2:17.

“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.”  Isaiah 58:12.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;  just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”  Colossians 3:12-13.

And, as Reformed Doctrine teaches, we look to our LORD to be our example, our inspiration, and our source of strength.

“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 3:31-32.

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 20:18-48.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+20&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“18 Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, “Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?”  Then the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.”

19 So the sons of Israel arose in the morning and camped against Gibeah.  20 The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel arrayed for battle against them at Gibeah.  21 Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and felled to the ground on that day 22,000 men of Israel.  22 But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day.  23 The sons of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall we again draw near for battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin?”  And the Lord said, “Go up against him.”

24 Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day.  25 Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel;  all these drew the sword.  26 Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening.  And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.  27 The sons of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron’s son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?”  And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”

29 So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah.  30 The sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as at other times.

…

46 So all of Benjamin who fell that day were 25,000 men who draw the sword; all these were valiant warriors.  47 But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and they remained at the rock of Rimmon four months.  48 The men of Israel then turned back against the sons of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city with the cattle and all that they found;  they also set on fire all the cities which they found.”  Judges Chapter 20:  Verses 18-30 and 46-48.

——————

The sons of Israel persistently inquired of the LORD three times.  Verse 18, 23, and 28.

We should also be persistent in prayer.  We are reminded of the Parable of the Widow and the Judge.

“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?  I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:1-8.

The sons of Israel asked in faith.  Each time, Israel followed the LORD’s direction in faith after each inquiry, even after they suffered such losses in the first two battles after the first two inquiries.

We should also ask in faith.  We are reminded that God generously gives wisdom.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and  without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8.

Who can pray persistently and ask in faith?

But, there is hope!

Reformed Doctrine teaches “Preservation of the Saints” which is also known as “Perseverance of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  Here is what the Canons of Dordt in FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints states about this “Perseverance of the Saints” in part.

Article 11.  The Scripture moreover testifies, that believers in this life have to struggle with various carnal doubts, and that under grievous temptations they are not always sensible of this full assurance of faith and certainty of persevering.  But God, who is the Father of all consolation, does not suffer them to be tempted above that they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it, I Corinthians 10:13, and by the Holy Spirit again inspires them with the comfortable assurance of persevering.

Article 15.  The carnal mind is unable to comprehend this doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and the certainty thereof; which God hath most abundantly revealed in his Word, for the glory of his name, and the consolation of pious souls, and which he impresses upon the hearts of the faithful.   Satan abhors it;  the world ridicules it; the ignorant and hypocrite abuse, and heretics oppose it; but the spouse of Christ hath always most tenderly loved and constantly defended it, as an inestimable treasure; and God, against whom neither counsel nor strength can prevail, will dispose her to continue this conduct to the end.  Now, to this one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, forever.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 19:1 through Judges 20:17.  This Scripture covers all of Judges Chapter 19 and part of Judges Chapter 20.  Here are two links, one to each chapter –

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2019&version=NASB

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+20&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then all the sons of Israel from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah.  2 The chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, took their stand in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 foot soldiers who drew the sword. 3 (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?”  4 So the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came with my concubine to spend the night at Gibeah which belongs to Benjamin.  5 But the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house at night because of me.  They intended to kill me;  instead, they ravished my concubine so that she died.  6 And I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance; for they have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.  7 Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your advice and counsel here.”

8 Then all the people arose as one man, saying, “Not one of us will go to his tent, nor will any of us return to his house.  9 But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah;  we will go up against it by lot.  10 And we will take 10 men out of 100 throughout the tribes of Israel, and 100 out of 1,000, and 1,000 out of 10,000 to supply food for the people, that when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, they may punish them for all the disgraceful acts that they have committed in Israel.”  11 Thus all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, united as one man.

12 Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?  13 Now then, deliver up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove this wickedness from Israel.”  But the sons of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel.  14 The sons of Benjamin gathered from the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the sons of Israel.  15 From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men.  16 Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed;  each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 Then the men of Israel besides Benjamin were numbered, 400,000 men who draw the sword;  all these were men of war.”  Judges 20:1-17.

———————-

We notice the zeal and resolve of the sons of Israel to remove this wickedness from Israel, even if it meant civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.

And, we notice that this was not a hesitant, wavering zeal and resolve.  “Then all the people arose as one man, saying, “Not one of us will go to his tent, nor will any of us return to his house.  But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah;  we will go up against it by lot.”  Verses 8-9.  “Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?  Now then, deliver up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove this wickedness from Israel.”   Verses 12-13.

There is other doctrine that would use this Scripture to focus on man and to pin its hope on the zeal and resolve and ability of man to remove wickedness.  

But, Reformed Doctrine uses this Scripture to search for the LORD and His zeal and what He has accomplished.  Reformed Doctrine pins its hope on the LORD.  Reformed Doctrine preaches and teaches that the LORD is the One Who will accomplish justice and righteousness. 

“There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”  Isaiah 9:7.

“11 O Lord, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it.
They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame;
Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.
12 Lord, You will establish peace for us,
Since You have also performed for us all our works.”  Isaiah 26:11-12.

“The Lord will go forth like a warrior,
He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry.
He will prevail against His enemies.”  Isaiah 42:13.

“14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands far away;
For truth has stumbled in the street,
And uprightness cannot enter.
15 Yes, truth is lacking;
And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.
Now the Lord saw,
And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.
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.”  Isaiah 59:14-19.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“18 When these went into Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod and household idols and the molten image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”  19 They said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest.  Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?”  20 The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod and household idols and the graven image and went among the people.

21 Then they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the livestock and the valuables in front of them.  22 When they had gone some distance from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house assembled and overtook the sons of Dan. 23 They cried to the sons of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you have assembled together?” 24 He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away, and what do I have besides?  So how can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’”  25 The sons of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, or else fierce men will fall upon you and you will lose your life, with the lives of your household.”  26 So the sons of Dan went on their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.

27 Then they took what Micah had made and the priest who had belonged to him, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and struck them with the edge of the sword;  and they burned the city with fire.  28 And there was no one to deliver them, because it was far from Sidon and they had no dealings with anyone, and it was in the valley which is near Beth-rehob.  And they rebuilt the city and lived in it.”  Judges 18:18-28.

————–

The priest counted the cost, and he concluded that it was best for him to leave the house of Micah and be a priest to the tribe of Dan.

Micah and his neighbors counted the cost, and they concluded that it was best for them to back down and not fight against the sons of Dan who took Micah’s graven image, the ephod and household idols and the molten image.

The sons of Dan counted the cost, and they concluded that they could wage war and be victorious over the people of Laish.

All of this counting the cost in today’s Scripture points us to what Jesus said in Luke 14:28-33.

“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’  Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.  So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”  Luke 14:28-33.

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:7-9.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”  Matthew 13:44.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46.

Today’s devotion comes from Judges Chapter 17.

“1 Now there was a man of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah.  2 He said to his mother, “The eleven hundred pieces of silver which were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse in my hearing, behold, the silver is with me;  I took it.”  And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the Lord.”  3 He then returned the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother, and his mother said, “I wholly dedicate the silver from my hand to the Lord for my son to make a graven image and a molten image;  now therefore, I will return them to you.”  4 So when he returned the silver to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith who made them into a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah.  5 And the man Micah had a shrine and he made an ephod and household idols and consecrated one of his sons, that he might become his priest.  6 In those days there was no king in Israel;  every man did what was right in his own eyes. 

7 Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite;  and he was staying there.  8 Then the man departed from the city, from Bethlehem in Judah, to stay wherever he might find a place; and as he made his journey, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah.  9 Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?”  And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.”  10 Micah then said to him, “Dwell with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.”  So the Levite went in.  11 The Levite agreed to live with the man, and the young man became to him like one of his sons.  12 So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in the house of Micah.  13 Then Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, seeing I have a Levite as priest.”  Judges Chapter 17.

———————

Micah wrongly thought the LORD would prosper him just because he did one thing right, namely, that the priest should be a Levite.  But, Micah should never have had a priest in the first place nor a shrine, an ephod, nor household idols.  And, he should not have consecrated one of his sons to become his priest.

Micah also thought that everything was OK just because he returned eleven hundred pieces of silver that he took from his mother.  But, Micah should have never taken the silver from her in the first place.  Just because his mother blessed him does not mean that Micah would be blessed by the LORD.

In summary, “In those days there was no king in Israel;  every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  Verse 6.

Today, we too can pull out one portion from Scripture and do one thing right and think we are righteous and that the LORD will prosper us.  We too can do what is right in our own eyes and think we are righteous and that the LORD will prosper us.  But, we would be wrong like Micah in thinking that way.

But, the blessed man is the one who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night to fully live by it by God’s grace.

“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.

“So keep the words of this covenant to do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”  Deuteronomy 29:9.

Who can do all things right?  Who can obey all of God’s commandments?

But, there is hope!

“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:6.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Today’s devotion comes from Judges Chapter 16.  Here is a I link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2016&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me?  You have deceived me these three times and have not told me where your great strength is.”  16 It came about when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death.  17 So he told her all that was in his heart and said to her, “A razor has never come on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb.  If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me and I will become weak and be like any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up once more, for he has told me all that is in his heart.”  Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair.  Then she began to afflict him, and his strength left him.  20 She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!”  And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.”  But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.  21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes;  and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.

23 Now the lords of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice, for they said,

“Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hands.”

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said,

“Our god has given our enemy into our hands,
Even the destroyer of our country,
Who has slain many of us.”

25 It so happened when they were in high spirits, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may amuse us.”  So they called for Samson from the prison, and he entertained them.  And they made him stand between the pillars.  26 Then Samson said to the boy who was holding his hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.”  27 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there.  And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them.

28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”  29 Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left.  30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it.  So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.  31 Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father.  Thus he had judged Israel twenty years.”  Judges 16:15-31.

——————–

Despite his great strength, Samson had weaknesses.

Samson was sinful.  He visited a harlot.  Verse 1.

Samson was foolish.  Even though Samson clearly knew that Delilah deceived and betrayed him three times (verses 6-14), he revealed the source of his strength to her (verse 17) which resulted in the affliction of his eyes being gouged out and being chained by his enemy, the Philistines.

And yet, in all the weaknesses of Samson with chains binding him and with eyes gouged out and in his sin and foolishness, Samson prayed to the LORD (verse 28), and the LORD granted his prayer request (verses 28-30). 

We too have weaknesses.

But, there is hope for us too!

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  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.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:25-28.

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God.  For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”  2 Corinthians 13:4.

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16.