Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:1-9.

“1 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered. 2 So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain. 3 No man is to come up with you, nor let any man be seen anywhere on the mountain; even the flocks and the herds may not graze in front of that mountain.” 4 So he cut out two stone tablets like the former ones, and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand. 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” 8 Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship. 9 He said, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.” Exodus 34:1-9.

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When the LORD God proclaims His qualities to us, what a special blessing it is to get to know Him better! We thought it was a special blessing by God that He allowed Moses to see Himself in the prior chapter. We should also think of what a special blessing by God it is that He discloses His qualities to us!

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;

Behold, I will not restrain my lips,

O Lord, You know.

10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;

I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;

I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:9-10.

Most would prefer to see man’s free will and man’s goodness: the alleged attributes of the godly man.

Reformed Doctrine shows us God’s “Unconditional Election”, God’s “Limited Atonement”, God’s “Irresistable Grace”, and God’s “Preservation of the Saints”: the “U”, “L”, “I” and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 33:17-23.

“17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:17-23.

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It is noteworthy that at this time of special privilege given to Moses to see the LORD that the LORD proclaims the basis of salvation. “… I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Verse 19. This is “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

This verse is also quoted in Romans 9:15. The following verse further explains this basis of salvation. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:16.

When we believe and appreciate that “Unconditional Election” is the basis of salvation, in a sense, we see the goodness of God like Moses.  You can read more about “Unconditional Election” in the Canons of Dordt through this link – http://www.prca.org/cd_text1.html

But, most prefer to see the alleged goodness of man. They believe that the basis of salvation is man’s goodness including man’s wise alleged “free-will” choice of Christ.

Man’s goodness is not God’s choice for the basis of salvation.

“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 1:26-31.

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5.

Whom do you want to see? God or man?

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

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 33:12-16.

“12 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. 16 For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:12-16.

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Favor (or grace) requires that one group of people be distinguished from another group of people. Favor (or grace) is special, not common to all. “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” Verse 16.

Today’s Scripture is not just “dusty” obscure support for refuting alleged common grace; it is part of our lively faith.

“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. Faith believes that God rewards those who seek Him, not that God rewards everyone. There is that distinction.

Faith goes out each day with the confidence that God specially loves us His church as His bride, distinguished from all other people. Ephesian 5:25-27. God does not love everyone: God only loves His bride. God’s favor (or grace) to us is special, not common, and we know it because we are distinguished from all the other people.

“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.

God only shows “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7.

“They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” Malachi 3:17-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 33:7-11.

“Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.” Exodus 33:7-11.

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We remember from earlier in the chapter that the LORD spoke to Moses: “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.” Exodus 33:3. So, the LORD would only go as close to the people as Moses’ tent, “a good distance from the camp”, and “Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses.” Thus, we are taught about the holiness of God.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;

No evil dwells with You.

5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;

You hate all who do iniquity.” Psalm 5:4-5.

And so, we exalt God. We worship at His footstool. Holy is He.

“5 Exalt the Lord our God

And worship at His footstool;

Holy is He.

6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests,

And Samuel was among those who called on His name;

They called upon the Lord and He answered them.

7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;

They kept His testimonies

And the statute that He gave them.

8 O Lord our God, You answered them;

You were a forgiving God to them,

And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

9 Exalt the Lord our God

And worship at His holy hill,

For holy is the Lord our God.” Psalm 99:5-9.

We noticed with interest from today’s Scripture that “When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.” Verse 9. In a sense, they were worshipping at His footstool.

“…I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10.

“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:4.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 33:1-6.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

When the people heard this sad word, they went into mourning, and none of them put on his ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.’” So the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.” Exodus 33:1-6.

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When the people of Israel heard that God would not go with them in their midst, they were sad and went into mourning.

At first thought, this is surprising for four reasons because of what we just read about them in the previous chapter.

First, they worshipped the golden calf and were otherwise immoral in their play.

Second, God punished them by killing about three thousand of them.

Third, they were generally an obstinate people.

Fourth, they were on their way to “a land flowing with milk and honey”.

So, why should they care so much that God would not go with them in their midst such that they were sad and went into mourning?

Today’s devotion gives us insight into the precious presence of the LORD.

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11.

“For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.” Psalm 21:6.

“For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them.” Psalm 44:3.

When the precious presence of the LORD seems to be withdrawn even the slightest bit or when it seems that God turns His face from us only one degree, we are dismayed.

“O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;

You hid Your face, I was dismayed.” Psalm 30:7.

“Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11.

We pant for the presence of our God.

“1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.” Psalm 42:1-4.

But, there is hope!

“Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence.” Psalm 42:5.

“7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” Psalm 39:7-10.

“Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; The upright will dwell in Your presence.” Psalm 140:13.

“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, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14.

“… I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5.

Reformed Doctrine summarizes this hope in “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Article 3. By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength. But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end. FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints. Canons of Dordt.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 32:27-35.

“27 He (Moses) said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’” 28 So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 29 Then Moses said, “Dedicate yourselves today to the Lord—for every man has been against his son and against his brother—in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today.”

30 On the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the Lord, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 Then Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. 32 But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” 33 The Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. 34 But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” 35 Then the Lord smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made.” Exodus 32:27-35.

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The Law was presented from Exodus Chapter 20 through Exodus Chapter 31. In the very next chapter, we read about the violation of the Law and the punishment by God.

Because we are so “man-orientated”, we may only react with revulsion and rebellion to God’s punishment.

But, if we were “God-orientated”, we would recognize that punishment is an important part of establishing justice, and we would praise God. The following Psalm Chapter 9 expresses our proper reaction.

“1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders.

2 I will be glad and exult in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,

They stumble and perish before You.

4 For You have maintained my just cause;

You have sat on the throne judging righteously.

5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;

You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy has come to an end in perpetual ruins,

And You have uprooted the cities;

The very memory of them has perished.

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.

9 The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,

A stronghold in times of trouble;

10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion;

Declare among the peoples His deeds.

12 For He who requires blood remembers them;

He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O Lord;

See my affliction from those who hate me,

You who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 That I may tell of all Your praises,

That in the gates of the daughter of Zion

I may rejoice in Your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made;

In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught.

16 The Lord has made Himself known;

He has executed judgment.

In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared. Higgaion Selah.

17 The wicked will return to Sheol,

Even all the nations who forget God.

18 For the needy will not always be forgotten,

Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.

19 Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail;

Let the nations be judged before You.

20 Put them in fear, O Lord;

Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.” Psalm Chapter 9.

Man may think he can successfully rebel against God. But, God laughs and scoffs at them. And then He punishes them. “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.” Psalm 93:1.

“2 The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:2-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 32:17-26.

“17 Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a sound of war in the camp.” 18 But he said,

“It is not the sound of the cry of triumph,

Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat;

But the sound of singing I hear.”

19 It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses’ anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it.

21 Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?” 22 Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil. 23 For they said to me, ‘Make a god for us who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 24 I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”

25 Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies— 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him.” Exodus 32:17-26.

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The people were “out of control”.

But, before we get too smug, consider the following verses.

“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Ephesians 2:3.

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1-2.

Reformed Doctrine calls it “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

But, there is hope!

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

As part of these “surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”, God gave us His Holy Spirit. And, this Holy Spirit gives us the fruit of the Spirit including “self-control”.

“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.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  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 5:16-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 32:15-16.

“Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other. The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing engraved on the tablets.” Exodus 32:15-16.

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“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

“7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.

“The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.” Psalm 119:160.

“Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” John 6:68.

Reformed Doctrine proclaims loudly “Scriptura Sola” which means Scripture alone. “So, the Bible, 39 Old Testament books, and 27 New Testament books is the only rule for faith and life.” quoted from “The Five Solas of the Reformation” by Rev. Rodney Kleyn.

There is no substitute for God’s Word. Using the language of today’s Scripture, God’s Word should be on the front side and on the back side of all our preaching and teaching.

“for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All flesh is like grass,

And all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

And the flower falls off,

But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25.

And, God’s Word accomplishes His purpose.

“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.”  Isaiah 55:11.

“Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:29.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 32:7-14.

“7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

11 Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” 14 So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Exodus 32:7-14.

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Moses did not even try to make any excuses for the actions of the people of Israel. Moses did not try anything to lessen their guilt. God’s factual conclusion was completely correct: “behold, they are an obstinate people.” Verse 9.

But, Moses reminded God of His sake, His name, and the sake of His elect represented by Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. “So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Verse 14.

We see God refrain from punishment for His own sake and for the sake of His name throughout Scripture.

“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:11.

“But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.” Ezekiel 20:9.

“But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out.” Ezekiel 20:14.

“But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.” Ezekiel 20:22.

“Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord God.’” Ezekiel 20:44.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.” Ezekiel 36:22.

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” Daniel 9:19.

Although most of the Scriptural references of God’s actions of refraining from punishment seem to be expressly stated to be for His own sake and for the sake of His name, we do see Scriptural references in today’s Scripture and in the following Scripture that God refrained from punishment for the sake of His elect.

“45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake,

And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness.

46 He also made them objects of compassion

In the presence of all their captors.

47 Save us, O Lord our God,

And gather us from among the nations,

To give thanks to Your holy name

And glory in Your praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

From everlasting even to everlasting.

And let all the people say, “Amen.”

Praise the Lord!’ Psalm 106:45-48.

But, the references of God having mercy “for their sake” should not make us proud, but realize the purpose of God saving us: “To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise”. Psalm 106:48.

“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;” 1 Peter 2:9.

Finally, we need to remember that we only receive mercy, because we are “in Christ”, so when God has mercy on us, it is for His own sake.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3.