Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 15, 2015

Fountain of all our salvation, whence flow all the gifts of grace

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 8.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them;  and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

2 He defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground;  and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive.  And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

3 Then David defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his rule at the River.  4 David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers;  and David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.  5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 Arameans.  6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute.  And the Lord helped David wherever he went.  7 David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.  8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

9 Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him;  for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.  And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.  11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued:  12 from Aram and Moab and the sons of Ammon and the Philistines and Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt.  14 He put garrisons in Edom.  In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David.  And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”  2 Samuel 1-14.

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Twice in today’s Scripture (verses 6 and 14), we read:  “And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”

Why did the LORD help David wherever he went?

Why does the LORD help us wherever we go?

The answer is in and between these three wonderful verses.

“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 8:28.

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?”  Romans 8:31.

“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 8:32.

First, in the heart of this section of Scripture (between these three wonderful verses), we read the “golden chain of salvation” which we can also call the golden chain of blessing.

“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.

God saves us, guides us, protects us, and otherwise helps us wherever we go because of His “Unconditional Election” of us, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Second, even if we did not look to the context of these three wonderful verses, but only examined the verses themselves, we notice the following.

Romans 8:28 does not state that God causes all things to work together for good for everyone or to those who are wise or work hard or are good themselves.  Rather, it limits this blessing to those “who are called according to His purpose”, which are the elect.

Romans 8:31 begs the reader to show his understanding of this section by answering two questions:  “Who is God for?” and “Who is against them?”  And, we can answer:  “God is for those whom He called (a/k/a predestined or elected).” and “No one can prevail against those elect.”

Romans 8:32 does not state that God freely gives all things to everyone or to those who are wise or work hard or are good themselves.  But, rather it limits this blessing to those for whom Christ died.  “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP” teaches us that Christ did not die for everyone or redeem everyone (otherwise, all would be saved).  Christ died only for God’s elect.  The elect not only receive salvation, but also every other good thing which God freely gives to them.

Consistent with this section of Scripture, consider the following two Scriptures.

“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.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

“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.

In conclusion, the “Declaration of Principles” of the Protestant Reformed Churches provides a great “fountain” image to think of this truth:  “That election, which is the unconditional and unchangeable decree of God to redeem in Christ a certain number of persons, is the sole cause and fountain of all our salvation, whence flow all the gifts of grace, including faith.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 14, 2015

The Consistency of Reformed Doctrine to Scripture

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 7:18-29.

“18 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?  19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future.  And this is the custom of man, O Lord God.  20 Again what more can David say to You?  For You know Your servant, O Lord God!  21 For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know.  22 For this reason You are great, O Lord God;  for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  23 And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods?  24 For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God.  25 Now therefore, O Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken, 26 that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’;  and may the house of Your servant David be established before You.  27 For You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’;  therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.  28 Now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.  29 Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You.  For You, O Lord God, have spoken;  and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”  2 Samuel 7:18-29.

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Reformed Doctrine has been taught in many different ways through Scripture.  To speak in terms of art, we have seen it taught as clearly as photographs in the doctrinal letters of Paul to the churches in the New Testament.  On the other side of the art spectrum, we have seen it taught with much less clarity as abstract art in the history stories of the Old Testament.  And, today, in the prayer of David, we see it taught with medium clarity, like French impressionist paintings.  Maybe, the parables of Jesus also fit in this third category.

But, this is the question with all these categories of Scripture:  Is Reformed Doctrine at least consistent with the Scripture?  

Today, we will examine how Reformed Doctrine is at least consistent with today’s Scripture.  We will consider “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Consistent with the humility of “Total Depravity”, David started his prayer with “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”  Verse 18.

Consistent with “Unconditional Election”, David declared:  “For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God.”  Verse 24.

Consistent with “Limited Atonement”, David asked:  “And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself …?”.  Verse 23.  Note that David did not speak of redemption as universal redemption (that is, God redeems everyone), but rather as particular redemption (a/k/a “Limited Atonement”).  David singled out the one nation of Israel whom God redeemed.

Consistent with “Irresistible Grace”, David fully credited God.  “For You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’;  therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.”  Verse 27.

Consistent with “Preservation of the Saints”, David concluded with his recognition and prayer that it is only through the blessing of the LORD that his house with continue forever.  “Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You.  For You, O Lord God, have spoken;  and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”  Verse 29.

In summary, David summarized Reformed Doctrine:  “For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know.”  Verse 21.  Let us break down that verse in three parts.  First, “For the sake of your word”:  the purpose of Reformed Doctrine is to help us understand Scripture by giving us a doctrinal framework or road-map.  (For the general importance of doctrine and creeds, check out the tag on top of my web site titled “Creeds”)  Second, “according to Your own heart”:  Reformed Doctrine is all about what God wants, not what we want (“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).  Third, “You have done all this greatness”:  Reformed Doctrine exalts God’s works, not man’s will nor man’s works.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 13, 2015

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

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 7:1-17.

“1 Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.”  3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?  6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.  7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

8 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.  9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you;  and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth.  10 I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.  The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.  12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.  13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.  14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me;  when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men,  15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.  16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever;  your throne shall be established forever.”’”  17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.”    2 Samuel 7:1-17.

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In summary, David “said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.”  See verse 2  David wanted to build a permanent temple for the LORD.

But, the LORD replied:  “The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.  …   I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.  …  Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever;  your throne shall be established forever.”  See verses 11-12 and 16.  Most importantly, the LORD promised to raise up a descendant of David, namely Christ, and establish Christ’s heavenly kingdom forever.

We too from time to time focus on ourselves and what we consider to do for the LORD.

But, we learn again from today’s Scripture that the LORD turns our focus to Himself and what He has done and will do for us.

Other doctrine continually puts the focus on man, man’s alleged free-will, and the alleged goodness of man to do good things for the LORD.

But, Reformed Doctrine starts with a consideration of man’s “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  And, logically, Reformed Doctrine turns its attention to the LORD for hope.  Reformed Doctrine eagerly studies at what the LORD has done and will do for us from “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints” (and in between “Limited Atonement” and “Irresistible Grace”) all of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Consistent with this start, the LORD reminds David of His “Unconditional Election” by his starting words to David:  “Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.”  Verse 8.

Reformed Doctrine prefers to praise rather than to propose.

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 12, 2015

“the Lord … chose me … therefore I will celebrate before the Lord.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 6.

“1 Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.  2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim.  3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill;  and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.  4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark.  5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.

6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it.  7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God.  8 David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.  9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”  10 And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him;  but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.”  David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.  13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.  14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.  15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

16 Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

17 So they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it;  and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.  18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.  19 Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one.  Then all the people departed each to his house.

20 But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today!  He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!”  21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel;  therefore I will celebrate before the Lord.  22 I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.”  23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.”   2 Samuel Chapter 6.

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Like Uzzah, we cannot reach out toward God and take hold of Him through our own free-will and on our own terms, even though we think we are quite righteous in doing so.

Like David, we must be chosen to receive God and properly worship Him.  “the Lord … chose me … therefore I will celebrate before the Lord.”  Verse 21.

We are reminded of Jesus’ Parable of the Marriage Feast.  “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he *said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’  And the man was speechless.  Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness;  in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:11-14.

Reverence is not determined by our style of worship.  Reverence is determined by the Spirit of worship.  David was loud and leaping and dancing before the LORD (verses 15-16), and David’s worship was accepted.  Uzzah was quiet and “only” reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it, but his worship was rejected (verses 6-7).

There is nothing that we can do in the flesh that can be reverent or pleasing to God, whether we are loud or quiet:  “and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:8.

But, those who are chosen of God, receive the Holy Spirit and please God.

“Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen;
My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased;
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.”  Matthew 12:18.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  Romans 8:14-15.

We read nothing that the house of Obed-edom did to please God to deserve the blessing of God.  Verses 10-11.  They were only chosen to receive the ark of the LORD and did receive it, and were therefore blessed.

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  … For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”  1 Corinthians 1:21 and 26-29.

To use yesterday’s Scripture (Isaiah 55:12), we are not led by God because we are joyful or peaceful.  But rather, we are joyful and peaceful, because we are led by God.  The context (preceding verse) of Isaiah 55:12 helps us understand.

“11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:11-12.

And, we don’t have to be loud and leaping and dancing (as David was) to be joyful in our worship.  We can be joyful quietly meditating on God’s Word.

And, we don’t have to be quiet in our worship to be peaceful.  We can be peaceful (as David also was) when we are loud and leaping and dancing.  We note that David was previously angry and afraid in verses 8-9, but those stressful emotions were not in him when he was worshipping God by being loud and leaping and dancing before the LORD.  Peace is determined more by the absence of anger and fear, than it is by the absence of movement and noise.

In summary, we can worship (and be joyful and peaceful and reverent in our worship), because we are chosen and led by God.

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4.

“But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.”  Psalm 5:7.

“Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You.”  Psalm 119:38.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 11, 2015

“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 5.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.  2 Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.  And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’”  3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron;  then they anointed David king over Israel.  4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.  5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

…

10 David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.

11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons;  and they built a house for David.  12 And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”  2 Samuel Chapter 5:  Verses 1-5 and 10-12.

——————-

David had confidence of the Lord’s blessing upon him.  “…    David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”  Verse 12.  “David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.”  Verse 10.  Hiram king of Tyre built a house for David.  Verse 11.

We too can have confidence of the Lord’s blessing upon us.  The LORD has also established us in His heavenly kingdom.  Colossians 1:13.  The LORD is also with us.  Psalm 46:7 and repeated in Psalm 46:11.  The LORD also is preparing a dwelling place for us.  John 14:2.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God;  you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

Like David, let us go forth in confidence of such blessing with joy and peace.  Let us shine.

“For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 10, 2015

Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was disturbed.  2 Saul’s son had two men who were commanders of bands:  the name of the one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin,

…

5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest.  6 They came to the middle of the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the belly;  and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.  7 Now when they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and killed him and beheaded him.  And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.  8 Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life;  thus the Lord has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants.”

9 David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, 10 when one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.  11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hand and destroy you from the earth?”  12 Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron.  But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.”  2 Samuel Chapter 4:  Verses 1-2 and 5-12.

——————

So far in the Book of 2 Samuel, we have noticed that David did not rejoice when Saul, Abner, and Ish-bosheth died.  David paid his respects to them.  In 2 Samuel 1:17-27, David chanted a lament over Saul and Jonathan his son.  In 2 Samuel 3:31-34, David wept and chanted a lament for Abner.  And in today’s Scripture, David did not rejoice when Ish-bosheth was killed nor reward those who killed him, but rather, David called Ish-bosheth “a righteous man”.

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”  Romans 12:17-19.

We do not think of David as a man of love.  We think of David as a man of war.  But consider this definition of love in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, the Book of Love.  Love “does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:5-7.

David did not act becomingly.  David did not seek his own.  David was not provoked and take into account a wrong suffered.  David did not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoiced in truth.  David bear all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things.

David was a man of love, and he is a good example for us to follow.  

And, Reformed Doctrine can help! 

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

Like Rechab and Baanah took things into their own hands and killed Ish-bosheth, other doctrine teaches us to depend on ourselves and take things into our own hands.

But, like David bear all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things (“the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress”, verse 9), Reformed Doctrine teaches us to wait for the LORD Who redeems our life from all distress from “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints” (and in between “Limited Atonement” and “Irresistible Grace”) all of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 8, 2015

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 3.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David;  and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.

…

6 It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.  7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah;  and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”  8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah?  Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman.  9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him, 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”     2 Samuel Chapter 3:  Verses 1 and 6-10.

——————-

Abner was commander of Saul’s army.  2 Samuel 2:8.  We have read of some of accomplishments in 2 Samuel Chapter 2 from which we can reasonably conclude that he was a tough, disciplined man of war.

And yet, in today’s Scripture, Abner was willing to switch sides and deliver Saul’s kingdom to David because Ish-bosheth said to him, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

God turned Abner’s heart as easily as a man can turn the flow of water in his hand.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it wherever He wishes.”  Proverbs 21:1.

Other doctrine either does not see God’s sovereignty and God’s work throughout Scripture or minimizes it. 

But, Reformed Doctrine sees God’s sovereignty and God’s work throughout Scripture and is glad and exalts God.  

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

5 How great are Your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man has no knowledge,
Nor does a stupid man understand this:
7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
8 But You, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For, behold, Your enemies, O Lord,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do iniquity will be scattered.”  Psalm 92:4-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 7, 2015

The Kindness of God

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

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?”  And the Lord said to him, “Go up.”  So David said, “Where shall I go up?”  And He said, “To Hebron.”  2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.  3 And David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household;  and they lived in the cities of Hebron.  4 Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah.

And they told David, saying, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”  5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “May you be blessed of the Lord because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him.  6 Now may the Lord show lovingkindness and truth to you;  and I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing.  7 Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be valiant;  for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”  2 Samuel 2:1-7.

—————–

David praised the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul saying:  “… you have shown this kindness to Saul …”

But, how can someone truly show kindness to someone who is dead?

Some doctrine focuses on the kindness of the men of Jabesh-gilead.  But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on the kindness of God.

Reformed Doctrine points us to God Who can and did show kindness to those dead in sin.

As dead as Saul was with his head cut off and his body fastened to the wall of Beth-shan (1 Samuel 31:8-10), we were that much dead in sin.

“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.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man;  though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:6-8.

Saul could not do anything to motivate the men of Jabesh-gilead to show kindness to him.  He was dead and his lifeless body was fastened to a wall.  Likewise, we could do nothing to motivate God to show kindness to us.  We were dead in sin.  We could supply no condition to motivate God to save us.  We needed the “Unconditional Election” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Saul was still dead after the kindness of the men of Jabesh-gilead.  But, in sharp contrast, we were made alive and raised to the heavenly places after the kindness of God to us.  Ephesians 2:5-6.

In conclusion, we receive every kind of kindness from God summarized as “surpassing riches of His grace toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7.  “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 8:32.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 6, 2015

“The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel Chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“17 Then David chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar.

19 “Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How have the mighty fallen!
20 “Tell it not in Gath,
Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
The daughters of the uncircumcised will exult.
21 “O mountains of Gilboa,
Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings;
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty,
The bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
And the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life,
And in their death they were not parted;
They were swifter than eagles,
They were stronger than lions.
24 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 “How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan is slain on your high places.
26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
You have been very pleasant to me.
Your love to me was more wonderful
Than the love of women.
27 “How have the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished!”  2 Samuel 1:17-27.

———————-

In eulogies, like David did in today’s Scripture, we tend to speak only the good about the decedents after their death.

But, in sharp contrast with us, God is the Righteous Judge Who reveals all, the good and the bad, and Who rewards and punishes.

“But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:2-5.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;  for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:7-8.

“God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.”  Psalm 7:11.

“7 But the Lord abides forever;
He has established His throne for judgment,
8 And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”  Psalm 9:7-8.

“1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken,
And summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God has shone forth.
3 May our God come and not keep silence;
Fire devours before Him,
And it is very tempestuous around Him.
4 He summons the heavens above,
And the earth, to judge His people:
5 “Gather My godly ones to Me,
Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens declare His righteousness,
For God Himself is judge.  Selah.”  Psalm 50:1-6.

In essence, other doctrine wants free-will and does not want God’s sovereignty, perfection, and righteous judgment:

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

But, Reformed Doctrine proclaims:

“10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13 Before the Lord, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.”  Psalm 96:10-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 5, 2015

“Do not fret because of evildoers, … Trust in the Lord and do good”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 31.

“1 Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons;  and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua the sons of Saul.  3 The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers.  4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me.”  But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid.  So Saul took his sword and fell on it.  5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.  6 Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together.

7 When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, with those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled; then the Philistines came and lived in them.

8 It came about on the next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.  9 They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.  10 They put his weapons in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.  11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.  13 They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”    1 Samuel Chapter 31.

———————–

The men of Israel were defeated and humiliated.  “… Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled …”  Verse 7.  And, the Philistines fastened Saul’s body to the wall of Beth-shan.

The men of Israel could have literally and figuratively hid in caves.

But, “all the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.  They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”    Verses 12-13.  Although they were defeated and humiliated, they rose up and did good.

We may also experience defeat and humiliation.  But, how do we respond? 

There is nothing wrong with crying and fasting.  We see the righteous do it in Scripture.  But, we also see the limited time of seven days for fasting in today’s Scripture.  And, we also see that before they fasted, they rose up and did good.

Sometimes, we can cry and fast first.  But, other times, like the valiant men in today’s Scripture, we need to immediately rise up and do good (before we cry and fast) even though we may not feel like it.

The summary of all this can be found in Psalm 37:1-3.

“1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
2 For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”    Psalm 37:1-3.

Reformed Doctrine can help!

Other doctrine focuses on man and his alleged free-will and continually looks and frets at what man is doing.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what He is doing.  Reformed Doctrine pounds the table on God’s sovereignty and that the purpose of God will be established and that He will accomplish all of His good pleasure.

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other;  I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘; Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.  I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

For example, the death of Saul and his sons was not outside of the purpose of God.  We remember it was prophesied just three chapters earlier.  “The Lord has done accordingly as He spoke through me;  for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.  As you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day.  Moreover the Lord will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.  Indeed the Lord will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!”  1 Samuel Chapter 28:17-19.

When we gain that confidence through Reformed Doctrine that the purpose of God will be established and that He will accomplish all of His good pleasure, then it is easier for us to not fret because of evildoers.  It is easier for us to trust in the Lord and do good.

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