Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 22:29-36.

“29 “For You are my lamp, O Lord;
And the Lord illumines my darkness.
30 “For by You I can run upon a troop;
By my God I can leap over a wall.
31 “As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the Lord is tested;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
32 “For who is God, besides the Lord?
And who is a rock, besides our God?
33 “God is my strong fortress;
And He sets the blameless in His way.
34 “He makes my feet like hinds’ feet,
And sets me on my high places.
35 “He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your help makes me great.”

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Most doctrine portray salvation as a joint venture between God and man.  According to most doctrine, man must perform an indispensable condition whether it be man’s works or only man’s will to be saved.

But, Reformed Doctrine portrays salvation as a gift of God unconditionally and totally performed by God.  According to this Reformed Doctrine, God does everything from “Unconditional Election” to “Limited Atonement” to “Irresistible Grace” to “Preservation of the Saints, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-8.

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 22:20-28.

“20 “He also brought me forth into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
21 “The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
22 “For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not acted wickedly against my God.
23 “For all His ordinances were before me,
And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 “I was also blameless toward Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
25 “Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to my cleanness before His eyes.
26 “With the kind You show Yourself kind,
With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
27 With the pure You show Yourself pure,
And with the perverted You show Yourself astute.
28 “And You save an afflicted people;
But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase.”  2 Samuel 22:20-28.

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At first reading, we may think David is bragging in today’s Scripture.  But, then we meditate a little more on the bookend verses of today’s Scripture, and we realize how David starts with crediting God for rescuing him (verse 20) and how David recognizes that God abases the haughty (verse 28).  We also remember other Scripture such as Psalm 51 which shows the depth of David’s humility.

There are times for all of us Christians, like for David in today’s Scripture, that we can and should praise God for the righteousness, steadfastness, cleanness, and even blamelessness that He has developed within us and continues to do within us.

Our praise should not be limited to God healing us.  Our praise should not be limited to God delivering us from some dangerous situation.  Our praise should not be limited to God giving us food.  

Our praise should extend to those spiritual blessings that God has given us. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:2-3.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 22:8-19.

“8 “Then the earth shook and quaked,
The foundations of heaven were trembling
And were shaken, because He was angry.
9 “Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
Fire from His mouth devoured;
Coals were kindled by it.
10 “He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With thick darkness under His feet.
11 “And He rode on a cherub and flew;
And He appeared on the wings of the wind.
12 “And He made darkness canopies around Him,
A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky.
13 “From the brightness before Him
Coals of fire were kindled.
14 “The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice.
15 “And He sent out arrows, and scattered them,
Lightning, and routed them.
16 “Then the channels of the sea appeared,
The foundations of the world were laid bare
By the rebuke of the Lord,
At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.
17 “He sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
18 “He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.
19 “They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.”   2 Samuel 22:8-19.

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Many people worship their “Santa Claus” image and idol.  Their “god” bows down to the alleged free-will of man.  Their “man upstairs” is at the beck and call of man downstairs.

We, Reformed Doctrine people, worship the Almighty God of Scripture Who in the greatness of His excellence (justice) shatters His enemy.  The heavens bow down to our God.  The foundations of the world are laid bare by the rebuke of our God.  Our God is truly sovereign and does whatever He pleases.

“6 “Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.”  Exodus 15:6-7.

“3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.
4 His lightnings lit up the world;
The earth saw and trembled.
5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.”  Psalm 97:3-5.

“5 Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, that they may smoke.
6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Send out Your arrows and confuse them.
7 Stretch forth Your hand from on high;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,
Out of the hand of aliens

8 Whose mouths speak deceit,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.”  Psalm 144:5-8.

“5 For I know that the Lord is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”  Psalm 144:5-6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 22:1-7.

“1 And David spoke the words of this song to the Lord in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.  2 He said,

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
4 “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.
5 “For the waves of death encompassed me;
The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me;
6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
7 “In my distress I called upon the Lord,
Yes, I cried to my God;
And from His temple He heard my voice,
And my cry for help came into His ears.”  2 Samuel 22:1-7.

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Today’s Scripture reminds us the depths of our distress. 

“5 “For the waves of death encompassed me;
The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me;
6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.”  Verses 5-6.

Some doctrine teach that we need just a little help.  It teaches that we are basically good and capable of getting ourselves out of trouble.

But, Reformed Doctrine, through its teaching of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, teaches that we were dead in sin, hostile to God, and in bondage to sin and Satan.  It teaches that we need to be made alive.  It teaches that we need our hearts to be changed from hostility to God to love to God.  It teaches that we need the cords binding us to sin and Satan to be cut.  It teaches that all of these needed actions need to be done by an Almighty God.

We see similar Scripture in the following two Scriptures.

“1 “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me,
And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.”  Psalm 18:1-6.

“1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said,

“I called out of my distress to the Lord,
And He answered me.
I cried for help from the depth of Sheol;
You heard my voice.
3 “For You had cast me into the deep,
Into the heart of the seas,
And the current engulfed me.
All Your breakers and billows passed over me.
4 “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight.
Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’
5 “Water encompassed me to the point of death.
The great deep engulfed me,
Weeds were wrapped around my head.
6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains.
The earth with its bars was around me forever,
But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.
7 “While I was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
8 “Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,
9 But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the Lord.”  Jonah 2:1-9.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 21.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+21&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the Lord.  And the Lord said, “It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”  2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites, and the sons of Israel made a covenant with them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the sons of Israel and Judah).  3 Thus David said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you?  And how can I make atonement that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?”  4 Then the Gibeonites said to him, “We have no concern of silver or gold with Saul or his house, nor is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.”  And he said, “I will do for you whatever you say.”  5 So they said to the king, “The man who consumed us and who planned to exterminate us from remaining within any border of Israel, 6 let seven men from his sons be given to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the Lord.”  And the king said, “I will give them.”

7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the Lord which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.  8 So the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Armoni and Mephibosheth whom she had borne to Saul, and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she had borne to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.  9 Then he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the mountain before the Lord, so that the seven of them fell together;  and they were put to death in the first days of harvest at the beginning of barley harvest.

10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until it rained on them from the sky;  and she allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night.  11 When it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 then David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the open square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them on the day the Philistines struck down Saul in Gilboa.  13 He brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there, and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.  14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father;  thus they did all that the king commanded, and after that God was moved by prayer for the land.”  2 Samuel 21:1-14.

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We read:  “…  thus they did all that the king commanded, and after that God was moved by prayer for the land.”  Verse 14.

We may not have an earthly king, but we have a Heavenly King.  And, we do have earthly rulers.

The lesson for us today is to, first of all, honor, respect, and obey our Sovereign Heavenly King.  But, also we should honor, respect, and obey our earthly rulers.

“He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, …”  Ecclesiastes 8:5.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”  1 Timothy 2:1-2.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority?  Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good.  But if you do what is evil, be afraid;  for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  Render to all what is due them:  tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom;  fear to whom fear;  honor to whom honor.”  Romans 13:1-7.

There are those who bristle against the sovereign rule of God.  They cling to their alleged free-will.  They are like those who say:

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

But, we see the response of the Lord.

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

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

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:4-12.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 20.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite;  and he blew the trumpet and said,

“We have no portion in David,
Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse;
Every man to his tents, O Israel!”

2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri;  but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

3 Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Call out the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.”  5 So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.  6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom;  take your lord’s servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight.”  7 So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men;  and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.  8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them.  Now Joab was dressed in his military attire, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist;  and as he went forward, it fell out.  9 Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?”  And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab’s hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died.  Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.  11 Now there stood by him one of Joab’s young men, and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.”  2 Samuel 20:1-11.

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Here is a revolt led by Sheba, and the command of King David to quash the revolt.  But, we see the lukewarm response of delay by Amasa to the command of King David.

“He who is not with Me is against Me;  and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”  Matthew 12:30.  Also in Luke 11:23.

Joab recognized that the lukewarm response of delay by Amasa was not just negligence but rebellion (“he who does not gather with Me scatters”).  And, Joab treated Amasa as one of those who revolted by killing him.

One of Joab’s young men also recognized that those who favor David should follow David.  “Now there stood by him one of Joab’s young men, and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.”   Verse 11.

The lesson of Amasa is for us today.  Too many people “straddle the fence” like Amasa.  They delay committing to one side or the other.  They want to wait to see who is watching.  They want to see in which direction the winds are blowing of their own prosperity, welfare, family and friendships, and popular pressure.

They are neither hot or cold.  They are lukewarm.

“‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot;  I wish that you were cold or hot.  So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;  and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;  therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock;  if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:15-22.

In conclusion, we know the truth of Reformed Doctrine.  We see it everywhere in Scripture.  Are we going to commit to it and follow it?  Or, are we going to delay, be lukewarm, and continue to “straddle the fence”?  Whoever favors Reformed Doctrine, let him follow it! 

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 19.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+19&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“15 The king then returned and came as far as the Jordan.  And Judah came to Gilgal in order to go to meet the king, to bring the king across the Jordan.

…

31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, being eighty years old;  and he had sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me and I will sustain you in Jerusalem with me.”  34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?  35 I am now eighty years old.  Can I distinguish between good and bad?  Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink?  Or can I hear anymore the voice of singing men and women?  Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?  36 Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king.  Why should the king compensate me with this reward?  37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother.  However, here is your servant Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”  38 The king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you require of me, I will do for you.”  39 All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too.  The king then kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.”  2 Samuel Chapter 19:  Verses 15 and 31-39.

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Our LORD will care for us in old age, and He will carry us “over the Jordan into the Promised Land” (through death into Heaven), and He will care for us forever in Heaven.

“Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.”  Isaiah 46:4.

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;  if it were not so, I would have told you;  for I go to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:2.

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 18.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+18&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.  7 The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men.  8 For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

9 Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David.  For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak.  And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.  10 When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”  11 Then Joab said to the man who had told him, “Now behold, you saw him!  Why then did you not strike him there to the ground?  And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”  12 The man said to Joab, “Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son;  for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Protect for me the young man Absalom!’  13 Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”  14 Then Joab said, “I will not waste time here with you.”  So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  15 And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.

…

33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept.  And thus he said as he walked, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!  Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”  2 Samuel Chapter 18:  Verses 6-15 and 33.

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Although God had ordained the death of Absalom, and although Absalom tried so hard to kill David, we see how deeply David grieved for the death of his son Absalom.

We are reminded of similar emotions from Paul in Romans Chapter 9.

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever.  Amen.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;  nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:  “through Isaac your descendants will be named.”  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.”  Romans 9:1-8.

Our affections are naturally inclined to our children and other relatives.  We even try to fit our theology according to these affections.

The Protestant Reformed Churches also struggled with this issue.  A substantial part of those churches wanted to stretch God’s covenant blessings over all of their baptized children, rather than just acknowledging that God’s covenant blessings were only over the unconditional elect.  In effect, this substantial part formed their theology to be “conditional”.

But, at an eventual substantial membership loss, the Protestant Reformed Churches firmly repudiated this substantial part in its “Declaration of Principles” adopted by its Synod in 1951:

“A. We repudiate:

1. The teaching:

a. That the promise of the covenant is conditional and for all that are baptized.

b. That we may presuppose that all the children that are baptized are regenerated, for we know on the basis of Scripture, as well as in the light of all history and experience, that the contrary is true.”

The Protestant Reformed Churches further provided this summary in its “Declaration of Principles”:

“This article very clearly teaches:

1. That all the covenant blessings are for the elect alone.

2. That God’s promise is unconditionally for them only:  for God cannot promise what was not objectively permitted by Christ.

3. That the promise of God bestows the objective right of salvation not upon all the children that are born under the historical dispensation of the covenant, that is, not upon all that are baptized, but only upon the spiritual seed.” 

David, Paul, the Protestant Reformed churches, and we are eventually forced to realize that Scripture keeps coming back to “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP’ the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.   For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:15-18.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 17.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2016&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Please let me choose 12,000 men that I may arise and pursue David tonight.  2 I will come upon him while he is weary and exhausted and terrify him, so that all the people who are with him will flee.  Then I will strike down the king alone, 3 and I will bring back all the people to you.  The return of everyone depends on the man you seek;  then all the people will be at peace.”  4 So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.”  6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Ahithophel has spoken thus.  Shall we carry out his plan?  If not, you speak.”  7 So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.”  8 Moreover, Hushai said, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field.  And your father is an expert in warfare, and will not spend the night with the people.  9 Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the caves or in another place;  and it will be when he falls on them at the first attack, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’  10 And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart;  for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men.  11 But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.  12 So we shall come to him in one of the places where he can be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground;  and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there.”  14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.”  For the Lord had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring calamity on Absalom.”  2 Samuel 17:1-14.

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Today, we read this facet of God’s sovereignty:  “…    For the Lord had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring calamity on Absalom.”  Verse 14.

No churches (maybe few churches) flatly deny God’s sovereignty.

But, does the preacher or teacher seem content to only generally teach that God ordained things such as the moon and stars?  Psalm 8:3.   

Or, does the preacher or teacher seem eager to specifically teach God’s sovereignty over salvation?

If God controls the moon and the stars, and even the smallest details of life on earth so that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29), then is it so hard to believe that God would also have sovereign control over salvation of man? 

If God will not allow a sparrow to fall to the ground apart from His will, then will God allow man to fall to hell apart from His will?

Does God care more about the moon and the stars and the sparrows than He cares about man?

There certainly are Reformed churches and Presbyterian churches and other churches with creeds by which they can not deny God’s sovereignty over salvation, but one gets the feeling too often that the preacher or teacher wants to avoid the subject.

It seems as if very few churches specifically and systematically and enthusiastically talk about God’s sovereignty over salvation.

The purpose of this Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions is to specifically and systematically and enthusiastically talk about God’s sovereignty over salvation.  Praise God! 

“TULIP” consists of “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace” and “Preservation of the Saints”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

One would think that members of a church would know these five points, particularly considering the supreme importance of this subject and the clue of the starting letter for each blessed truth.

But, how many members of a church do know those five points without someone giving them a point or two or more? 

How many members of a church know which major Reformed creed focuses only on this subject of “TULIP”? 

(Answer is Canons of Dordt.)

God has ordained redemption for His people.

“He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.”   Psalm  111:9.

“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:  and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”  Acts 13:48.  King James Version.

Are we glad about it and want to shout it from the rooftops? 

Or, do we want to hide it or minimize it? 

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 16.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+16&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“5 When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.  6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left.  7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow!  8 The Lord has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned;  and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom.  And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!”

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?  Let me go over now and  cut off his head.”  10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah?  If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”  11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life;  how much more now this Benjamite?  Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him.  12 Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”  13 So David and his men went on the way;  and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.  14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.”  2 Samuel 16:5-14.

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David showed humility, perspective, tolerance, patience, and hope in today’s Scripture that proved his faith.

Who thought so much good would come out of this affliction of receiving curses, insults, rocks, and dust?

David showed humility through his words:  “Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him.”  Verse 11.

David showed perspective, tolerance, and patience through his words:  “Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life;  how much more now this Benjamite?”  Verse 11.  In other words, David was saying:  “If I am patient and tolerant dealing with my son Absalom who seeks to kill me, why should I not be patient and tolerant with Shimeir who is not my son and for whom I do not care and who is only doing these little things (curses, insults, rocks, and dust)?!” 

David showed hope through his words:  “Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”  Verse 12.

We too are distressed by various trials, and through God’s grace, we too can show humility, perspective, tolerance, patience, and hope that prove our faith.  And, this faith is more precious than gold.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:6-9.