Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion covers Genesis 24:28-67 in which the servant recounts to Laban (Rebekah’s brother) on his mission and how they (the servant and Rebekah) met. Here is a link to the chapter – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+24&version=NASB

We will pick up at verse 50.

“50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The matter comes from the Lord; so we cannot speak to you bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord. 53 The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.” 56 He said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 And they said, “We will call the girl and consult her wishes.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” 59 Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“May you, our sister,

Become thousands of ten thousands,

And may your descendants possess

The gate of those who hate them.”

61 Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

62 Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?” And the servant said, “He is my master.” Then she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” Genesis 24:50-67.

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When Isaac lifted up his eyes, he saw the camels were coming. No doubt, he was eagerly awaiting the return of the servant’s group. When Rebekah lifted up her eyes, she saw Isaac.

“1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2.

We can focus on our self and our feelings, our anxiety and worries. Or, we can lift up our eyes and focus on God and trust that He indeed will cause all things to work together for our good.  Romans 8:28. 

Rebekah could let her natural feelings (of uncertainty and fear) govern her. She could have jumped on the suggestion of her brother and her mother that she stay a few days. Maybe, if she did, she would have changed her mind, and she would have not gone with the servant and not left her home.

But Rebekah here figuratively lifted her eyes and said: “I will go.”

Good things happen when we lift up our eyes. We take our eyes off of ourselves and our feelings. We look at God and trust Him. We have faith. We believe that God will reward us. Hebrews 11:6. We see what God has done for us. And, we get up and go and fulfill our mission.

“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.” Genesis 13:14-15.

“To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!”  Psalm 123:1.

“Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.”  Isaiah 40:26.

“Lift up your eyes and look around; All of them gather together, they come to you. As I live,” declares the Lord, “You will surely put on all of them as jewels and bind them on as a bride.”  Isaiah 49:18.

“Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not wane.”  Isaiah 51:6.

“Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms.”  Isaiah 60:4.

“And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.”  Matthew 17:8.

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”  John 4:35.

“Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,”  John 17:1.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 24:10-27.

“10 Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master’s in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; 14 now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.”

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord”; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. 21 Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence, to know whether the Lord had made his journey successful or not.

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father’s house?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 Again she said to him, “We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in.” 26 Then the man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. 27 He said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.” Genesis 24:10-27.

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It would have been good enough for the LORD to grant success to the servant to find wife for Isaac from Abraham’s country as Abraham generally requested.

But, the LORD guided the servant to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s specific relatives.

It would have been good enough for the LORD to grant the prayer request of the servant after a reasonable search.

But, the LORD brought Rebekah to the servant before the servant was even done praying.

It would have been good enough for the LORD to bring a plain country girl to the servant.

But, the LORD brought Rebekah who was very beautiful and a virgin.

It would have been good enough for the LORD to cause Rebekah to exactly say what the servant requested: “Drink, and I will water your camels also”.

But, the LORD caused Rebekah to say more and to show respect to the servant and to offer to draw water for the camels until they finished drinking. “She said, “Drink, my lord”; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.” (Emphasis added.)

It would have been good enough for the LORD to cause Rebekah to simply fulfill her duty to do what she said she would do.

But, the LORD caused Rebekah to do so “quickly” which showed the servant that Rebekah was enthusiastic and favored the servant.

It would have been good enough for the LORD to cause Rebekah to say: “Yes.” to the servant’s question: “Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father’s house?”

But, the LORD caused Rebekah to again be enthusiastic and welcoming: “We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in.”

And such is the lovingkindness of God to us. It is abundant.

Numbers 14:18

‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’

Psalm 5:7

But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

Psalm 37:11

But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Psalm 65:10

You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth.

Psalm 78:15

He split the rocks in the wilderness And gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths.

Psalm 86:5

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

Psalm 106:7

Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

Psalm 130:7

O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.

Psalm 132:15

“I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.

Psalm 145:7

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

Lamentations 3:32

For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness.

Jonah 4:2

He prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Acts 4:33

And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

2 Corinthians 1:5

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

1 Timothy 1:14

and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:11

for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 24:1-9.

“1 Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, 4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?” 6 Then Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there! 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.” Genesis 24:1-9.

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“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10.

And, by faith, Abraham did more. By faith, “Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Verses 2-4.

Today’s Scripture should make us consider that our faith should not only cause us to take the first round of faithful actions. Our faith should also cause us to take further rounds of faithful action.

We can easily imagine many of the children of Israel were joyful, praising God, as they were led out of Egypt with plunder. But later, almost all murmured against Moses and Aaron. See, for example, Exodus Chapter 16.

“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said,

“Today if you hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”

For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:12-19.

It is easy to be joyful and praise God when God delivers us and leads us out of trouble with plunder (as Israel). It is difficult to stay faithful when we are figuratively in the wilderness suffering from thirst.

It is easy for Abraham to be joyful and praise God when Isaac was born and weaned. Genesis 21:8. It is difficult for Abraham to consider what to do when he did not have Isaac as early as hoped. “So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” See Genesis 2:16. But, we see Abraham’s faith strengthened in today’s Scripture when he made strict arrangements to get a wife for Isaac.

Who can be faithful by their own strength until death?! 

“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. …” Canons of Dordt.

But, there is hope! 

“Article 3. … God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.” Canons of Dordt.

This is “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-58.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis Chapter 23 which covers the death of Abraham’s wife Sarah and his obtaining a burial site for her from the sons of Heth.

“1 Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.” 7 So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. 8 And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site.” 10 Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth; even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead.” 12 And Abraham bowed before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.

17 So Ephron’s field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.” Genesis 23:1-20.

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In today’s Scripture, we see the favor that Abraham had with the sons of Heth. Verses 6, 11, and 15.

We see that Joseph had favor with Potiphar. “The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.” Genesis 39:2-4.

Later, we see that Joseph had favor with the chief jailer. “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” Genesis 39:21.

“… and the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:36.

Ruth had favor with her future husband Boaz who said to her. “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Then she (Ruth) said, “I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.” Ruth 2:12-13.

“Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26.

“Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 1 Samuel 16:22.

Esther found favor with the king. “Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem.” Esther 2:9.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.

“Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, “The Lord be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27.

“3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good repute

In the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4.

“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1.

“Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,” Daniel 1:9.

“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52.

The early church had favor with all the people. “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47.

The church was later persecuted. We can expect to be persecuted for our faith at times. But, there will also be times when God gives us favor with others, and let us use that favor for good. That is the focus of today’s Scripture.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:14-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 22:20-24. 

“Now it came about after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel.” Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.” Genesis 22:20-24. 

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We may wonder about the purpose of this Scripture. More generally, we may wonder about the importance of things that we encounter in our life. 

But, there is hope! 

God is sovereign and controls every detail of the affairs of man. For His elect, God causes all things to work together for good. Romans 8:28. 

And now, we get back to Rebekah. 

“Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:1-4. 

This trusted servant arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 

“He said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.” 

“Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.” Genesis 24:13-16. 

God appointed Rebekah to be the wife of Isaac and arranged every detail of her life toward that goal.

And for the rest of us, His elect, Rebekah reminds us, and we also know that “… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. 

This devotion is dedicated to Max and Sarah who are getting married tomorrow. God bless them!

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 22:1-14.

“1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:1-14.

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The LORD indeed provides salvation to us, His elect. The LORD provides everything that we need for salvation. The LORD provides us with atonement, grace, and preservation to salvation. “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.

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

The LORD also provides us with water. Exodus 15:22-24.

The LORD also provides us with manna (bread). Exodus 16:4-21.

The LORD also provides us with meat. Exodus 16:4-21.

The LORD even provides us with “wine which makes man’s heart glad”. Psalm 104:15.

The LORD provides us with the Spirit and works miracles among us by hearing with faith. Galatians 3:5.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:11.

“… No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11.

In conclusion, the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that when we confess The Apostle’s Creed, we confess our faith that our Lord will provide us “with all things necessary for soul and body“. 

Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

Answer. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body: and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father. Heidelberg Catechism.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 21:22-34 which covers Abraham’s covenant with Abimelech.

Here is a link to Genesis Chapter 21 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+21&version=NASB

We will focus on the following verse 22.

“Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do;” Genesis 21: 22.

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How wonderful for that blessed person to have God be with him or her in all that he or she does! 

We see that said about Abraham in today’s Scripture.

We see that said about David in the following Scripture.

“Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”  1 Chronicles 17:2.

We see that said about Solomon in the following two Scriptures.

“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people.”  1 Chronicles 22:18.

“Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”  1 Chronicles 28:20.

We see that said in prophecy.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”  Zechariah 8:23.

We see that said generally about the righteous man.

“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”  Psalm 5:12.

But, there is hope for us too! 

God has made a covenant with us.  God is with us, because His Spirit dwells within us. 

“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”  Isaiah 59:21.

God provides us with His Spirit through hearing with faith. 

“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?”  Galatians 3:5.

The blessing of Abraham comes to us in Christ Jesus, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

“in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Galatians 3:14.

The Holy Spirit is our Helper within us, God Himself within us, forever. 

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;”  John 14:16.

Conclusion

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 21:1-8.

“Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.” Genesis 21:1-8.

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The Promises of God are backed by His Perfect Divine Nature (impossible for God to lie), His Oath, and the Unchangeableness of His Purpose.

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:13-18.

Therefore, “the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised.” Verse 1.

“Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45.

“Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.” 1 Kings 8:56.

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes;  therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Reformed Doctrine emphasizes God’s promises. Consider God’s promises of “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, Irresistable Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, four of the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. Other doctrine emphasizes man’s purposes.

Reformed Doctrine emphasizes this “unchangeableness of His purpose”. Other doctrine emphasizes man’s free will which can block or change God’s purpose.

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

Article 9. This purpose proceeding from everlasting love towards the elect, has from the beginning of the world to this day been powerfully accomplished, and will henceforward still continue to be accomplished, notwithstanding all the ineffectual opposition of the gates of hell, so that the elect in due time may be gathered together into one, and that there never may be wanting a church composed of believers, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, which may steadfastly love, and faithfully serve him as their Savior, who as a bridegroom for his bride, laid down his life for them upon the cross, and which may celebrate his praises here and through all eternity. Canons of Dordt SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.