Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 3:1-17.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og, king of Bashan, with all his people came out to meet us in battle at Edrei.  2 But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand;  and you shall do to him just as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’  3 So the Lord our God delivered Og also, king of Bashan, with all his people into our hand, and we smote them until no survivor was left.  4 We captured all his cities at that time;  there was not a city which we did not take from them:  sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.  5 All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates and bars, besides a great many unwalled towns.  6 We utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women and children of every city.  7 But all the animals and the spoil of the cities we took as our booty.”  Deuteronomy 3:1-7.  New American Standard Version.

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It is interesting to me that at least in this New American Standard Version, the past tense phrase “for I have delivered him” was used in verse 2.

In the King James Version, the future tense was used in verse 2.  “And the Lord said unto me, Fear him not:  for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand;  and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.”

The purpose of this devotion is not to use this difference to argue which translation is best, but to simply point out the difference, and to use today’s Scripture as a base to bring up the following Scripture to consider the sovereignty of God.

“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.

In other words, God’s sovereignty is so strong (beyond the constraint of time) that, so to speak, He can declare in past tense a future event.  

Reformed Doctrine honors and cherishes this total and perfect sovereignty of God.

Other doctrine honors and cherishes man’s alleged free-will.

Reformed Doctrine summarizes what Scripture states about God, like it or not.

Other doctrine unsuccessfully tries to morph God into the image of man, to meet its own preference.

Reformed Doctrine recognizes that God delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, and God perfectly exercises them.  Reformed Doctrine leads us to exult in total perfect triumph in Christ.

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

Reformed Doctrine replies:

“4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Psalm 2:4-6.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”  2 Corinthians 2:14

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 2:8-37.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%202&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“30 But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land;  for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, in order to deliver him into your hand, as he is today.  31 The Lord said to me, ‘See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you.  Begin to occupy, that you may possess his land.’

32 “Then Sihon with all his people came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz.  33 The Lord our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him with his sons and all his people.  34 So we captured all his cities at that time and utterly destroyed the men, women and children of every city.  We left no survivor.  35 We took only the animals as our booty and the spoil of the cities which we had captured.  36 From Aroer which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon and from the city which is in the valley, even to Gilead, there was no city that was too high for us;  the Lord our God delivered all over to us.”  Deuteronomy 2:30-36.

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“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”  Psalm 34:4

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.”  Psalm 34:17

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

“For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.”  Psalm 54:7

“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.

“and so all Israel will be saved;  just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”  Romans 11:26

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

“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days.  And the Lord spoke to me, saying, ‘You have circled this mountain long enough.  Now turn north, and command the people, saying, “You will pass through the territory of your brothers the sons of Esau who live in Seir;  and they will be afraid of you.  So be very careful;  do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, even as little as a footstep because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.  You shall buy food from them with money so that you may eat, and you shall also purchase water from them with money so that you may drink.  For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done;  He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness.  These forty years the Lord your God has been with you;  you have not lacked a thing.”’  Deuteronomy 2:1-7.

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We may be in a wilderness of financial troubles, or we may be in a wilderness of health problems.  We may be in a wilderness of little comfort and support from family and friends.  But, we should not be jealous of others who do not have such problems.  Rather, we should trust the Lord.

The Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done.  The Lord has known your wanderings through this great wilderness.  The Lord your God has been with you.  You have not lacked a thing.

God’s grace is sufficient for us.  Sometimes, God’s grace contains tangible personal property.  Sometimes, God’s grace contains intangible spiritual encouragement.  But, whatever it contains, God’s grace is sufficient for us.  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Israel’s “job” was to circle Mount Seir for many days.  Our job may similarly be to circle around in the wilderness for a long time.  We tend to think that our actions are only blessed if they are productive according to man’s standards.  But, our actions are blessed if they produce faith in God according to His standards.  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

“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 Deuteronomy 1:34-46.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses –

“41 “Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord;  we will indeed go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’  And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.  42 And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you;  otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies.”’  43 So I spoke to you, but you would not listen.  Instead you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country.  44 The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah. 45 Then you returned and wept before the Lord;  but the Lord did not listen to your voice nor give ear to you.  46 So you remained in Kadesh many days, the days that you spent there.”  Deuteronomy 1:41-46.

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Sometimes, our repentance is shorter than our request.  Sometimes, our bemoaning of our sins is shorter than our plan for action.  Sometimes, our repentance is more like rebellion than restoration.  In today’s Scripture, we see this type of presumptuous repentance.

But, we can use the example of Israel’s presumptuous repentance to meditate on Godly repentance.

First of all, let us seek that repentance that comes not as a work of man’s alleged free-will, but rather, as a gift of God’s grace.

“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  Acts 5:31

“When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.””  Acts 11:18

“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Second, consistent with repentance being a gift of God’s grace, Godly repentance is humble and waits on the LORD rather than being proud and presumptuous and intent on own action.

We see a fine example of this Godly repentance in Psalm Chapter 51.

“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.

18 By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.”  Psalm Chapter 51.

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 1:19-33.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?st=4&utm_expid=13466113-11.e_eljl4ZQueab2zC5ghezw.4&search=Deuteronomy+1&version=NASB&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biblegateway.com%2Fversions%2FNew-American-Standard-Bible-NASB%2F

I quote only the following verses.

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be shocked, nor fear them.  The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’  But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go.”  Deuteronomy 1:29-33.

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“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:8-11.

Reformed Doctrine shows “the way in which you should go”.  It is a path all of God’s doing.  It is a path of God’s work in us.  It is a path of God’s preservation of us.  It is a path of God bringing us to glory.  It is a path of trust only in God.

Other doctrine shows us their way.  Their path is a path of man’s doing whether it be man’s works or man’s faith.  It is a path of trust in man’s free-will.  It is a path of man’s wisdom.  It is a path of man’s perseverance.

Reformed Doctrine’s path starts us out with being chosen to walk the path by God’s “Unconditional Election” and then brings us to the cross of God’s “Limited Atonement” to receive all the saving gifts purchased for us by Christ’s death for us and then blows the wind of God’s “Irresistible Grace” on our backs to propel us onward and then sends us through the protecting tunnel of God’s “Preservation of the Saints” to bring us home to glory.

Article 8.   For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  Canons of Dordt SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE  Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.     

But, there are many who don’t want anything to do with this one and only path of salvation.  They trust themselves and want their own credit and glory.

“Enter through the narrow gate;  for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 1:1-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’  You answered me and said, ‘The thing which you have said to do is good.’  So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you, leaders of thousands and of hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers for your tribes.

“Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him.  You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.  The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’  I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.”  Deuteronomy 1:13-18.

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The Book of Deuteronomy starts off with emphasizing the importance of justice.

“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:20.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8.

And, today’s Scripture shows some elements of justice.

“Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’  First of all, it is important that we select judges and other political leaders who are wise and discerning and experienced.

“judge righteously”.  Much could be said about that command.  I will point out a few things.  There is a temptation for us to be susceptible to the loudest and most passionate voices.

As first example, we naturally feel sympathetic to the cries of the victim and the victim’s family.  But, that does not mean that we should to cave in to all the blood thirst vengeance of what they want.  We remember the distinction between intentional murder and negligent manslaughter and the provisions of cities of refuge in Numbers Chapter 35.

As second example, the crowd may be a inflamed lynching mob, but we must again not cave in to their cries to lynch or to otherwise punish “on the spot” without trial.

As third example, there may be powerful conservative political groups who think of themselves as the quiet dignified majority, but they still have their own political agenda and reasons for being tough on all crimes without just distinctions.  They want discretion to be taken away from judges so they can control justice for their own political desires.

“You shall not show partiality in judgment”.  The statue of the blindfolded lady of justice reminds us that we should not base our judgment on whom we see be the recipient of justice.  We should not be partial to the wealthy.  We should not be partial to the celebrity or the popular.  We should not be partial to the great.  We should not even be partial to the fellow countryman over the immigrant (alien) as today’s Scripture hints.

“You shall not fear man”.  When we fear God rather than man, we will be more inclined to “judge righteously”, to be impartial, and to pursue justice with the zeal that we should have.

“The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.”  Proverbs 29:25.

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers Chapter 36.

“1 And the heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, 2 and they said, “The Lord commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.  3 But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong;  thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance.  4 When the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong;  so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

5 Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements.  6 This is what the Lord has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.’  7 Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.  8 Every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers.  9 Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance.”

10 Just as the Lord had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did:  11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles’ sons.  12 They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father.

13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which the Lord commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.”  Numbers Chapter 36.

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Special consideration and privilege was given to the daughters of Zelophehad. 

“They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah;  but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.  Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son?  Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”  So Moses brought their case before the Lord.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.  You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”  Numbers 27:2-7.

But, in today’s Scripture, the heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph were concerned about the application of the general law to this special privilege and the unfair consequences that it would give their tribe.  And, a special provision (a command that the daughters marry within the tribe) was made to avoid the unfair consequences. 

We have been given new and special grace.  But, if we remained yoked to the old and general law, we will fall from grace.  

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.  And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:2-5.

Like the special privilege given to the daughters of Zelophehad resulted in the need for a special provision that they needed to marry and stay within their tribe, the special grace given to us results in the need for the special provision that we need to stay in Christ.   

“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;  nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law;  since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.  But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin?  May it never be!  For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:15-21.

Simply, the old general law cannot deal with the new and special grace given to us.  We need a new and special provision.  We need to stay in Christ.

“Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins;  otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined;  but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”   Matthew 9:17

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 35:16-34.  Here is a link to this Scripture –  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+35&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“16 ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  17 If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  18 Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  …

22 ‘But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, 23 or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.  …

33 So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.  34 You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”  Numbers Chapter 35:  Verses 16-18 and 22-24 and 33-34.

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Justice is established by making just distinctions between crimes.  Here we see the distinction is between intentional murder and negligent manslaughter.

Capital punishment is not only allowed here for intentional murder.  It is mandated.

But, the focus of this devotion is the following language in verse 33:  “no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.”  In a discussion of one of the worst sins, murder, we are blessed to be led to thoughts of Christ.

Christ bore our sins and then shed His blood for expiation (defined as “the means by which atonement is made” by the Free Dictionary by Farlex http://www.thefreedictionary.com/expiation.)

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Hebrews 9:22

It would already been unfathomably gracious for God the Son, Jesus Christ, to bear all the suffering, most notably the cross, to save us, but the Thrice Holy God also had to bear our sins in order to save us.  Not any blood will do, only the blood “of him who shed it.”  Verse 33.

“so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  Hebrews 9:28

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Today’s Scripture comes from Numbers 35:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+35&version=NASB

I only quote the following verses.

“1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in;  and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities.  3 The cities shall be theirs to live in;  and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle and for their herds and for all their beasts.  …

6 The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to;  and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.  …

9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there.  12 The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.  13 The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge.  14 You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan;  they are to be cities of refuge.  15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them;  that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.”  Numbers Chapter 35:  Verses 1-3, 6, and 9-15.

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The cities of refuge is today’s Scripture point to God Who is “our refuge and strength”.  I list some of the Scriptures below, but I stopped at the last listed one (Psalm 71:5-8) due to limited time, which I thought summarized so well God’s faithfulness to me and so many others our entire lives.

“As for God, His way is blameless;  The word of the Lord is tested;  He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”  2 Samuel 22:31

“Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:12

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy;  And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.”  Psalm 5:11

“1 O Lord my God, in You I have taken refuge;
Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,
2 Or he will tear my soul like a lion,
Dragging me away, while there is none to deliver.”  Psalm 7:1-2.

“1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.                                                                                                                                                       2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”  Psalm 16:1-2.

“2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.”  Psalm 18:2-3.

“1 In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength,
A stronghold to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.”  Psalm 31:1-5.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good;  How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”  Psalm 34:8

“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”  Psalm 34:22

“7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.”  Psalm 36:7-9.

“The Lord helps them and delivers them;  He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him.”  Psalm 37:40

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1

“1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.  Selah.
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.”  Psalm 57:1-3.

“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;  Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.”  Psalm 59:16

“For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.”  Psalm 61:3

“7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.”  Psalm 62:7-8.

“The righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him;  And all the upright in heart will glory.”  Psalm 64:10

“5 For You are my hope;
O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.
6 By You I have been sustained from my birth;
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;
My praise is continually of You.

7 I have become a marvel to many,
For You are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.”  Psalm 71:5-8.

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers Chapter 34.  The next devotion, God willing, will be Monday, September 8.  I will be in Michigan hiking with high school classmates.  Here is a link to today’s Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+34&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.  3 Your southern sector shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall extend from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.  4 Then your border shall turn direction from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea;  and it shall reach Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon.  5 The border shall turn direction from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and its termination shall be at the sea.

6 ‘As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea, that is, its coastline; this shall be your west border.  …

16 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “These are the names of the men who shall apportion the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun.  18 You shall take one leader of every tribe to apportion the land for inheritance.  19 These are the names of the men:  of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.  …”  Numbers Chapter 34:  Verses 1-6 and 16-19.

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God gave the Promised Land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”, Canaan, to Israel, as an “inheritance”.  In today’s Scripture, we read about how God carefully defined the borders and arranged for appointment of leaders of each tribe to apportion the land to each tribe.

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”  Proverbs 13:22.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.

What is heaven like? 

“… Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9.

But, we should not give up.  “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit;  for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:10.

Scripture also gives us descriptions.

And, we are commanded:  “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

I have written an article on Heaven.  Click here – https://reformeddoctrine.com/heaven/

So, what is our response?

We have “… patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:13-20.