Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:29-35.

“It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded, the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.” Exodus 34:29-35.

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When we are in the presence of the LORD, glorious things happen. We gain liberty, transformation, and glory.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

“7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, 13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. 14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:7-18.

Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), gives us this liberty by setting us free from the slavery and condemnation of the Law.

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4.

“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.” Galatians 5:1-4.

In summary, the following “golden chain of salvation” summarizes what our LORD has done for us.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:18-28.

“18 “You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.

19 “The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep. 20 You shall redeem with a lamb the first offspring from a donkey; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons. None shall appear before Me empty-handed.

21 “You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest. 22 You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. 23 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel. 24 For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the Lord your God.

25 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread, nor is the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover to be left over until morning.

26 “You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

27 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” Exodus 34:18-28.

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These commands (and yesterday’s Scripture summarized by the second commandment) were clearly separate and added to the promises of the covenant made earlier in the chapter, almost as if they were a non-sequitor to the promises of God in verse 10: ” Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.” Exodus 34:10.

The importance of the distinction between promises and commands is that God’s promises are not going to be invalidated by man’s inability to obey the commands.

“15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:15-29.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:11-17.

“Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim —for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God— otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice, and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods. You shall make for yourself no molten gods.” Exodus 34:11-17.

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Today, we learn another attribute of the LORD: “the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God”. In spite of this warning that “you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God, and in spite of all the goodness shown to Israel by God, much of the Old Testament records the sad history of Israel worshipping other gods. For one example, the whole book of Hosea vividly illustrates Israel playing the harlot, chasing after other gods.

And less we get too smug, we too have chased after other gods, usually gods of our imagination of what we would like God to be, but nevertheless, still in violation of this command also expressed in the second commandment of the Ten Commandments.

But, there is hope!

The hope is based on “the working of the LORD” that we read in yesterday’s devotion. Exodus 34:10.

“I will heal their apostasy,

I will love them freely,

For My anger has turned away from them.” Hosea 14:4.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them

After those days, says the Lord:

I will put My laws upon their heart,

And on their mind I will write them,”

He then says,

“And their sins and their lawless deeds

I will remember no more.” Hebrews 10:14-17.

And mysteriously and marvelously, the LORD has made His elect, the true Israel, more than “just” His people. Through “the working of the LORD”, He has made them His bride. “… 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.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:10.

“Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.” Exodus 34:10.

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The central concept of the covenant is the working of the LORD. The covenant is not an agreement between God and man. The covenant is not based on the shaky premises of man entering into the agreement, man maintaining his desire to stay in the agreement, or man performing his part of the agreement.

The covenant is based on the promises of the LORD, the unchangeableness of the LORD, and the ability of the LORD to perform: all of which can be summarized as “the working of the LORD”.

But, there is more. Here, in this covenant, God promised to perform miracles. God promised that all the people among whom Israel lived will see the working of the LORD. God promised that He was going to perform with Israel. In other words, the recipients of the miracles would include Israel; God could perform miracles for other peoples, but here, He promises to perform the miracles with or for Israel.

So, that is nice for Israel. But, what is our hope?

Our hope is that somehow we could be included within the covenant. Our hope is that what happens to us will not be based on us, but will be based on God. Our hope is that our vindication or glory will be seen by others. Our hope is that we will receive the benefits of God’s miracles.

“remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:12-22.

“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Galatians 3:5-9.

Reformed Doctrine most closely and clearly summarizes the central concept of the covenant and our hope: “the working of the LORD” in 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.

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.