Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:9-20. Here is a link to that Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+38&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“Then he made the court: for the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twisted linen, one hundred cubits; their twenty pillars, and their twenty sockets, made of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.” Exodus 38:9-20.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the curtains (“the hangings of the court”) and all the items needed to hang them. Continuing the focus of the last two devotions on the use of the metals gold and bronze, I note the prominence of the metal silver in today’s Scripture: “the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.”

We experience troubles and tribulations in life. But, God preserves us. God refines us as silver.

“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” Psalm 66:10.

In a sense, like the curtains in today’s Scripture, you could say that we were hung up. But, God gives all the grace that we need to deal with those troubles and tribulations. We are on His precious hooks of silver.

“8 Bless our God, O peoples,

And sound His praise abroad,

9 Who keeps us in life

And does not allow our feet to slip.

10 For You have tried us, O God;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;

You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

12 You made men ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:8-12.

“The righteous cry and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19 (emphasis added).

“O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer.” Psalm 31:23.

So, while you are hung up, rest. You are on silver hooks. You are being refined.

“… We went through fire and through water,

Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:12.

“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.

10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;

And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

11 But the humble will inherit the land

And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” Psalm 37:7-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:1-8.

“Then he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide, square, and three cubits high. He made its horns on its four corners, its horns being of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. He made all the utensils of the altar, the pails and the shovels and the basins, the flesh hooks and the firepans; he made all its utensils of bronze. He made for the altar a grating of bronze network beneath, under its ledge, reaching halfway up. He cast four rings on the four ends of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” Exodus 38:1-8.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the altar of burnt offering, the utensils of the altar, its grating, and poles. All were either made of bronze or overlaid with bronze.

We read of the strength of bronze in Scripture. It was used to make shields, helmets, and other armor. It was used to make wheels and axels. It was used to make platforms and pillars. If you want, you can check out more uses of bronze in Scripture. Here is a link to verses containing the word “bronze”. http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=bronze+&version=NASB&searchtype=all&startnumber=1

But, as strong as bronze is, God girds us with strength “… So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalm 18:34.

“34 He trains my hands for battle,

So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,

And Your right hand upholds me;

And Your gentleness makes me great.

36 You enlarge my steps under me,

And my feet have not slipped.” Psalm 18:34-36.

We all may not be sent out to battle and need physical arms that can bend a bow of bronze. But, we all will be sent into spiritual battle and need spiritual armor and spiritual strength, stronger than bronze, which God indeed gives us.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17.

Today’s Scripture comes from Exodus 37:1-29, the whole chapter. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+37&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits; and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around. He cast four rings of gold for it on its four feet; even two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.” Exodus 37:1-4.

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Exodus Chapter 37 details the construction of the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense. All of these items were either made of gold or overlaid with gold. As one example, Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood, and “he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.” Gold is precious.

But, as desirable as gold is, …

“The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Psalm 119:72.

“Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.” Psalm 119:127.

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 36:8-38. Here is a link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+36&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“8 All the skillful men among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them. …

35 Moreover, he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; he made it with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. …” Exodus Chapter 36: Verse 8 and 35.

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Today’s Scripture details the construction of the tabernacle. We read all of the precise and precious details of building the tabernacle and the need of skillful men to perform the work, most notably “with cherubim (angels), the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them.”

Today’s Scripture leads me to think about the building of the church and all the precise and precious details of building the church and the need of skillful men to perform the work, most notably the work of Christ, the skillful builder of the church Who stated: “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 15:18.

We are “… looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” 1 Corinthians 12:18.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

“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.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,” Revelation 21-2-3.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.” Revelation 21:10-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 36:1-7.

“1 Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”

2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. 3 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, 5 and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” 6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. 7 For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.” Exodus 36:1-7.

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God’s grace stirred the hearts of the people to bring “… much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded”. Verse 5. “For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.” Verse 7.

Today’s Scripture reminds us and encourages us that God’s grace is “sufficient and more than enough”. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” John 1:16.

“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” Romans 5:20.

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15.

“And He (the Lord) 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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 35:30-35.

“Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.” Exodus 35:30-35.

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God “… has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” 2 Timothy 1:9.

“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.

“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. 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 8:28-30.

“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7.

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9.

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 35:10-19.

“‘Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the Lord has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; the ark and its poles, the mercy seat, and the curtain of the screen; the table and its poles, and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand also for the light and its utensils and its lamps and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense and its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the doorway at the entrance of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court and their cords; the woven garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests.’” Exodus 35:10-19.

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I counted 20 references to “skillful” in the building of the tabernacle, its tents and its coverings, and its contents and related objects. http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=skillful&version=NASB&searchtype=all&startnumber=1

This repeated theme and emphasis made me think that such skill should not be limited to the building of the tabernacle and its related objects, but rather that our worship should also be skillfully done.

“Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Psalm 33:3.

“For God is the King of all the earth;

Sing praises with a skillful psalm.” Psalm 47:7.

And yet, we see many songs played in churches that repeat some word or phrase. Even if that phrase is from the Bible, just repeating it many times louder and louder and more and more earnestly does not make it spiritual.

It would be bad enough if such lack of skill was limited to songs. But, we see such lack of skill in the handling of Scriptures.

Likewise, the use of Scripture does not necessarily by itself make a sermon or lesson sound doctrine.

Zeal is not enough in handling Scripture or songs. “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” Romans 10:2.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

Scripture keeps coming back to the importance of truth.

Jesus said both in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7: ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Jesus also stated in John 4:23-24: “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus also stated in John 16:13: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; …”

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:1-4.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-13.

But, there is hope!

“1 My son, if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

Incline your heart to understanding;

3 For if you cry for discernment,

Lift your voice for understanding;

4 If you seek her as silver

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord

And discover the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 Guarding the paths of justice,

And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice

And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:1-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 35:4-9.

“Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, ‘Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze, and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats’ hair, and rams’ skins dyed red, and porpoise skins, and acacia wood, and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece.” Exodus 35:4-9.

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A “willing heart” in today’s Scripture reminds us of 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

And, the great variety of possible gifts in today’s Scripture remind us that there are many kinds of gifts that we can give. But, all those things were used to build up and adorn the tabernacle. Likewise, the gifts that we give should build up and adorn the church.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;” Ephesians 4:11-12.