Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

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.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 15.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+15&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment;  so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Now it came about at the end of forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron.  8 For your servant vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’”  9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.”  So he arose and went to Hebron.  10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’”  11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, and they did not know anything.  12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”  14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom.  Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

…

23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over.  The king also passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness.

24 Now behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God.  And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar came up until all the people had finished passing from the city.  25 The king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.  If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation.  26 But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”  2 Samuel Chapter 15:  Verses 6-14 and 24-26.

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There are Scriptures like Psalm Chapter 43 where David strongly pleads and cries out:

“1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation;
O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your dwelling places.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.”  Psalm 43:1-4.

But, in verses 25-26 of today’s Scripture, we see more of the quiet deference to God in David’s words:  “If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation.  But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”

There is a place for both the passionate pleas and the quiet deference in Scripture and in the righteous man’s relationship to God.

But since today, we see the quiet deference, we will comment more on it.

The quiet deference in today’s Scripture does remind us of the Christian’s quiet deference to the “Unconditional Election” of God, the “U” of “TULIP’ the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

In sharp contrast, there are others who totally revolt against God’s “Unconditional Election”.  They say:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.

Although the Christian will rightly from time to time strongly plead out and cry like in Psalm 43 as shown above, the Christian will also from time to time only simply show quiet deference to God as David showed in today’s Scripture.

We look to Christ as our example who said in Luke 22:42:  “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me;  yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

And, as David was surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses as to how he would endure such hostility from Absalom, we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us too as to how we will endure.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:1-3.

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was inclined toward Absalom.  2 So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;  3 then go to the king and speak to him in this manner.”  So Joab put the words in her mouth.

4 Now when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself and said, “Help, O king.” 5 The king said to her, “What is your trouble?”  And she answered, “Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.  6 Your maidservant had two sons, but the two of them struggled together in the field, and there was no one to separate them, so one struck the other and killed him.  7 Now behold, the whole family has risen against your maidservant, and they say, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed, and destroy the heir also.’  Thus they will extinguish my coal which is left, so as to leave my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the earth.”

8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.”  9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord, the king, the iniquity is on me and my father’s house, but the king and his throne are guiltless.”  10 So the king said, “Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me, and he will not touch you anymore.”  11 Then she said, “Please let the king remember the Lord your God, so that the avenger of blood will not continue to destroy, otherwise they will destroy my son.”  And he said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”

12 Then the woman said, “Please let your maidservant speak a word to my lord the king.”  And he said, “Speak.”  13 The woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God?  For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring back his banished one. 14 For we will surely die and are like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again.  Yet God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.”  2 Samuel 14:1-14.

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“For we will surely die and are like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again.  …”  Verse 14.

“7 For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
8 You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9 For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.”  Psalm 90:7-10.

But, there is hope!

“… Yet God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.”  Verse 14.

We saw one specific example of God’s plans in the Cities of Refuge established by God to protect unintentional manslayers from the avengers in Numbers 35:6-34.

We saw another specific example of God’s plans to save a remnant of Israel in Romans 11:1-6.

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He?  May it never be!  For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.  Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?  “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.”  But what is the divine response to him?  “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”  Romans 11:1-6.

In conclusion, here is the general example for all of us to ponder and treasure.

“9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.”  Psalm 103:9-14.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 13.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+13&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now it was after this that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her.  2 Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.  3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.  4 He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning?  Will you not tell me?”  Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.”  5 Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill;  when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat, and let her prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat from her hand.’”  6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill;  when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

7 Then David sent to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”  8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was lying down.  And she took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 She took the pan and dished them out before him, but he refused to eat.  And Amnon said, “Have everyone go out from me.”  So everyone went out from him.  10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.”  So Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon.  11 When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”  12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel;  do not do this disgraceful thing!  13 As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach?  And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel.  Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”  14 However, he would not listen to her;  since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred;  for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.  And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!”  16 But she said to him, “No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!”  Yet he would not listen to her.

…

20 Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you?  But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.”  So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.  21 Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry.  22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

…

28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death.  Do not fear;  have not I myself commanded you?  Be courageous and be valiant.”  29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded.  Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled.

…

37 Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom;  for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.”  2 Samuel Chapter 13:  Verses 1-16 and 20-22 and 28-29 and 37-39.

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We see the trail of misery of Amnon.  Amnon was tempted and carried away and enticed by his own lust.

Amnon seized Tamar, Absalom’s sister, and dragged her into his trail of misery, violating her and then later abandoning her to desolation.

Amnon’s actions caused David and Absalom to enter the trail of misery of Amnon.  David was very angry at Amnon.  Absalom hated Amnon.

In this trail of misery, Absalom plotted to avenge what Amnon did to his sister Tamar and brought all the kings sons into this trail of misery through the plot.

Finally, Absalom accomplished the death of Amnon through the death of his servants whom Absalom commanded and who also entered this trail of misery.

But, the trail of misery does not even end at the death of Amnon, because Absalom fled out of fear for what he had done and went to Geshurand was there three years, causing more grief for David who missed Absalom.

“Destruction and misery are in their paths,
And the path of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Romans 3:16-18.

But, before we single out Amnon and wag our finger at Amnon, we need to read the context of Romans 3:16-18 to realize that in our natural condition all of us are in this “one common misery” called “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“10 as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;

14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,”  Romans 3:10-15.

But, there is hope!

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation. 

This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification;  and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace; as it is written:  “According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love;  having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved,” Ephesians 1:4,5,6.  And elsewhere: “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified;  and whom he justified, them he also glorified,” Romans 8:30.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David.  And he came to him and said,

“There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.
2 “The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.
3 “But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nourished;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom,
And was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man,
And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him;

Rather he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.  6 He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”

7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man!  Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.  8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah;  and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!  9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?  You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.  10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’  11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household;  I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.  12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”  13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”  And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin;  you shall not die.  14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”  15 So Nathan went to his house.”  2 Samuel 12:1-15.

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When I am convicted of my sin, sometimes I lay down and bury my face in the carpet and whimper:  “I am so sorry to sin against You.”

“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’”  Luke 18:13.

After the words of Nathan convicted David in today’s Scripture, David pled:

“1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4 Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”  Psalm 51:1-17.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 11.

“1 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah.  But David stayed at Jerusalem.

2 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing;  and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.  3 So David sent and inquired about the woman.  And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”  4 David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her;  and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.  5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, “I am pregnant.”

6 Then David sent to Joab, saying, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.”  So Joab sent Uriah to David.  7 When Uriah came to him, David asked concerning the welfare of Joab and the people and the state of the war.  8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.”  And Uriah went out of the king’s house, and a present from the king was sent out after him.  9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house.  10 Now when they told David, saying, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Have you not come from a journey?  Why did you not go down to your house?”  11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field.  Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife?  By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.”  12 Then David said to Uriah, “Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you go.”  So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.  13 Now David called him, and he ate and drank before him, and he made him drunk;  and in the evening he went out to lie on his bed with his lord’s servants, but he did not go down to his house.

14 Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  15 He had written in the letter, saying, “Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”  16 So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.  17 The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David’s servants fell;  and Uriah the Hittite also died.  18 Then Joab sent and reported to David all the events of the war.  19 He charged the messenger, saying, “When you have finished telling all the events of the war to the king, 20 and if it happens that the king’s wrath rises and he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight?  Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?  21 Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth?  Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez?  Why did you go so near the wall?’—then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’”

22 So the messenger departed and came and reported to David all that Joab had sent him to tell.  23 The messenger said to David, “The men prevailed against us and came out against us in the field, but we pressed them as far as the entrance of the gate.  24 Moreover, the archers shot at your servants from the wall;  so some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.” 25 Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it’;  and so encourage him.”

26 Now when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  27 When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife;  then she bore him a son.  But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.”  2 Samuel Chapter 11.

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Sin starts subtly.  How bad could it be to skip work and stay at home?  Verse 1.

Sin stares.  How bad could it be to look?  Verse 2.

Sin sends inquiries.  How bad could it be to just get some information?  Verses 3.

Sin seizes what it covets.  How bad could it be to enjoy life?  Verse 4.

Sin schemes.  How bad could it be to simply set things up?  Verses 6-27.

Sin spreads.  How bad could it be?  God is love;  he will forgive me if I need it.  I am blessed.  Verses 6-27.

“…    But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.”  Verse 27.

This lesson from David helps us to see how easy it is for us to get entangled by sin. Our mind continually tries to justify sin and minimize steps of sin.

But, there is hope!

Through God’s grace including walking by the Spirit, we can be conscious of our flesh and these steps of sin.  We can recognize that although we still do sin, we are not under the dominion of sin;  our flesh with its passions and desires has been crucified through Christ.   God can provide a way of escape by short-circuiting the path to sin by taking away a step of sin.  We can walk by the Spirit.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” Galatians 5:16-17.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 10.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+10&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men. 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men.  8 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans.  10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon.  11 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.  12 Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God;  and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”  13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Arameans, and they fled before him.”  2 Samuel 10:6-13.

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We may feel weak and yet need to figuratively face foes today in the front and in the rear.

Today’s Scripture exhorts us to be strong and courageous believing that God will guide, protect, and otherwise bless us.

And, we notice that after Joab and the people did so and drew near to the battle, the Arameans fled.

How often do we also find that when we seek God’s guidance, protection and blessing and are strong and courageous in the LORD, that when we draw near to the battle, our problems flee away!

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6.

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed!  Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.”  Joshua 10:25.

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him;  for the one with us is greater than the one with him.”  2 Chronicles 32:7.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 9.

“1 Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”  2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David;  and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”  And he said, “I am your servant.”  3 The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?”  And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”  4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?”  And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.”  5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.  6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself.  And David said, “Mephibosheth.”  And he said, “Here is your servant!”  7 David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul;  and you shall eat at my table regularly.”  8 Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”

9 Then the king called Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.  10 You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson may have food;  nevertheless Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall eat at my table regularly.”  Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.”  So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons.  12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica.  And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.  13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly.  Now he was lame in both feet.”  2 Samuel Chapter 9.

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David chose Mephibosheth to receive kindness “for Jonathan’s sake”.  Mephibosheth was not chosen because he was attractive, capable, wise, good, or otherwise worthy by himself.  Verse 13 emphasized “Now he was lame in both feet.”

We were chosen to receive God’s kindness for Christ’s sake.  Like Mephibosheth, we were not chosen because we were attractive, capable, wise, good, or otherwise worthy by our self.  “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  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 1:27-31.

“3 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, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.  13 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, 14 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 1:3-14.

We notice from the preceding Scripture that God chose us “in Him”, namely in Christ.  Verse 4.  Every spiritual blessing is “in Christ”.  Verse 2.  “In Him”, namely in Christ, we have redemption through Christ’s blood.  Verse 7.  God freely bestowed His grace on us “in the Beloved”, namely in Christ.  Verse 6.  God’s “kind intention” was purposed “in Him”, namely in Christ.  Verse 9.  “In Him”, namely in Christ, we have obtained an inheritance.  Verses 10-11.  God summed up all things “in Christ”.  Verse 10.  We were sealed “in Him”, namely “in Christ” with the Holy Spirit of promise.  Verse 13.

In conclusion, paraphrasing verse 7 in today’s Scripture, we should not fear for God will surely show us kindness for the sake of Christ.  We are the bride of Christ.  “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. “  Revelation 21:2.