Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 18, 2013

God is good! God is a rewarder! Go forth!

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 12:4-6.
 
“4 So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him;  and Lot went with him.  Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.  5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan;  thus they came to the land of Canaan.  6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land.”   Genesis 12:4-6.
 
—————-
 
We remember the immediately preceding Scripture.
 
“1 Now the Lord said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”  Genesis 12:1-3.

By faith Abraham obeyed God as we read in today’s Scripture.  “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.”  Hebrews 11:8.

“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. 

Thus, there are two elements of faith.  Abraham not only believed that God existed;  Abraham also believed that God was a rewarder of those who seek Him.  Regarding this last element of faith that God is a rewarder, Abraham went out “to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance” as we see in Hebrews 11:8.

It is easy to claim that we believe God.  But, it is more difficult to really believe that God “is a rewarder of those who seek Him”.  

Abraham could have rested on his belief of God and stayed and worshipped God in Haran.  Abraham could have minimized God’s promise to Abraham by thinking the only fulfillment of God’s promise would be in heaven.  Abraham could have delayed going, perhaps only later going out of a sense of duty because God commanded Him to go.  But, “Abraham went forth as the Lord had spoken to him” (See verse 4), and Abraham went out expecting that God would reward Him by going “to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance”.  (See Hebrews 11:8). 

Go forth, trusting that God is good and that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”         

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;  The Lord gives grace and glory;  No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  Psalm 84:11

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6

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

“The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;  But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”  Psalm 34:10

“Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce.”  Psalm 85:12

“For the Lord is good;  His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”  Psalm 100:5

“Praise the Lord!  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;  For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 106:1

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 107:1

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;  For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 118:1

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;  For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 118:29

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 136:1

In summary and conclusion, we are likely not called to leave our country and our relatives as Abraham was so called, but God calls us in some way to do His work and follow Him.  Let us go forth today and every day, trusting that God is good and that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 17, 2013

The Promise of God: “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 12:1-3.                                                                  
 
“1 Now the Lord said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”  Genesis 12:1-3.

—————————

Do we quickly pass over this Scripture just thinking:  “Good for Abraham.”?  Or, do we stop to meditate and search out the Scriptures as to the meaning of “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”?  Verse 3.

We should follow the example of the Bereans.  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11
 
So, what is the meaning of “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”?
 
“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.
 

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;  for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”  However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 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 3:8-14.

“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.  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.  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.”  Galatians 3:16-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 16, 2013

“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 11:10-32.
 
 
We will focus on the following verses.
 
“Now these are the records of the generations of Terah.  Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot.  Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans.  Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves.  The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah.  Sarai was barren;  she had no child.”  Genesis 11:27-30.
 
—————-
 
Our eyes may glaze over, and we may want to skip certain parts of Scripture, but “Every word of God is tested;  He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  Proverbs 30:5  
 
What may seem as boring Scripture lays a foundation of facts to help us understand and better appreciate later awesome miracles.
 
For example, in today’s Scripture, we find the fact that Abram’s family lived in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans.  And later, we read and can better appreciate:  “And He said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land (Canaan) to possess it.”  Genesis 15:7
 
For example, in today’s Scripture, we find the fact that “Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran;  and Haran became the father of Lot” and “Haran died in the presence of his father Terah”.  Thus, we know that Lot was Abram’s nephew, and we can infer that Abram probably felt some responsibility toward his nephew Lot, because Lot’s father (Haran) died at a relatively early age (in the presence of his father Terah).  And later, we read and can better appreciate:  “Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan;  thus they came to the land of Canaan.”  Genesis 12:5
 
For example, in today’s Scripture, we find the fact that “Sarai was barren”.  And later, we read and can better appreciate:  “Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her.  Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations;  kings of peoples will come from her.”  Genesis 17:15-16. 
 
Even in our own lives, we experience boredom and drudgery and sorrow.  But, that apparently meaningless span of our life is actually a springboard for us to later experience and better appreciate deliverance and joy and awesome miracles of God.
 
“1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
3 O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;
You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”  Psalm 30:1-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 15, 2013

The Blessing of Being Scattered: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 11:1-1-9.
 
“Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.  It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.  They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.”  And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.  They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.  The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language.  And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.  Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”  So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth;  and they stopped building the city.  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth;  and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  Genesis 11:1-9. 
 
—————————–
 
The LORD’s will was that Noah and his descendants would populate (fill) the earth.  “And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”  Genesis 9:1.  See also Genesis 9:7. 
 
But, “They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  Verse 4.
 
“So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth;  and they stopped building the city.”  Verse 8.
 
The LORD likewise wants us to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”   Jesus commands us to “… Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15
 
Some of us will remain close to family and friends where we grew up.  But, others of us will be scattered across the country and even the world.  
 
Hopefully, today’s Scripture will particularly encourage those of us who move away from where we grew up that the LORD causes our “scattered” movement to accomplish His will that we “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”, that we “… Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” 
 
The LORD will also give special grace to us to deal with being scattered.  The LORD will give us all kinds of things.  The LORD will give us “traveling mercies”.  The LORD will help us get settled in our new home.  The LORD will sustain us.  The LORD will put joy in our hearts.  The LORD will give us favor with the people surrounding us.  The LORD will grow our family and friends.
 
“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
                                                      

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16.

Like salt needs to be scattered across the meat to penetrate and preserve every part of the meat, we need to be scattered across the world to penetrate and preserve every part of the world. 

Like light needs to penetrate the darkness to reach every corner to expose everything and to provide light for all to see, we need to penetrate the spiritual darkness, to reach every corner of the world, to expose all wickedness, and to enlighten everyone with the light of the Gospel.  

Some of us may be seasoning injected into one part of the meat.  But, some of us may be scattered like salt grains across the whole broad surface.

Some of us may be lighthouses.  But, some of us may be flashlights to bring light to others far away.

The LORD blesses us by causing us to be scattered to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”   The LORD blesses us by causing us to be scattered to “… Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 14, 2013

“through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis Chapter 10.
 
 
We will focus on the following three verses.
 
“1 Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah;  and sons were born to them after the flood.”
 
“5 From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.”
 
“32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.” 
 
—————-
 
“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”  Genesis 9:1.  Although the fulfillment of this blessing took many generations to take place, the readers are quickly shown the fulfillment of this blessing in the very next chapter of the Bible which is today’s Scripture. 
 
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:4-6.  
 
We may feel that our lives are empty and desolate as Noah may have felt after the flood.  But, we can use today’s Scripture to remind us that God fulfills His abundant promises to us. 
 
And, it is through Scriptures that we persevere and obtain encouragement and hope.  “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Romans 15:4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 12, 2013

“Honor your father and your mother … that it may go well with you …”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:18-29.
 
“18 Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem and Ham and Japheth;  and Ham was the father of Canaan.  19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
 
20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard.  21 He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.  22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.  23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father;  and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.  24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.  25 So he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants
He shall be to his brothers.”

26 He also said,

“Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.
27 “May God enlarge Japheth,
And let him dwell in the tents of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.  29 So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”  Genesis 9:18-29.

——————

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the Lord your God gives you.”  Deuteronomy 5:6.  (The Fifth Commandment of the Ten Commandments).

Ham did not honor his father Noah, and he was cursed and it did not go well with him.  Shem and Japheth did honor their father Noah, and they were blessed and it did go well with them.

“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’”  Matthew 15:4

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”  Ephesians 6:1-3.

But, some may claim:  “You don’t know my father and mother!  They don’t deserve such honor!!”

Well, Noah may not have been on his best behavior in today’s Scripture.  Yet, Noah’s sons still had the duty to honor their father, and the failure of Ham to honor his father Noah resulted in a curse upon Ham.

But, there is hope!

“Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.  He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.””  Malachi 4:4-6.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5:22-26.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 11, 2013

“Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:1-17. 
 
 
We will focus on the following verses 9-17.
 
“9 “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;  10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you;  of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.  11 I establish My covenant with you;  and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”  12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;  13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.  14 It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;  and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”  17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”  Genesis 9:9-17.
 
———————-
 
Professor David J. Engelsma in his book Trinity and Covenant – God as Holy Family stated:  “Reformed theology has always affirmed the great importance, if not the centrality, of the doctrine of the covenant for the whole of Biblical truth.”  Page 110.  So, from the very beginning, I commend this subject of the covenant and this book and other writings to your study. 
 
There are some good Reformed articles on the doctrine of the covenant at these links –  
 
The Covenant: God’s Tabernacle with Men * Rev. H. Hoeksema
The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers * Prof. D. Engelsma
The Forgotten Pink  (pdf) Rev. Ronald Hanko
Justification: The Heart of the Gospel (3 lectures) Rev. R. Van OverloopProf. David Engelsma
Rev. W. Langerak
The Unconditional Covenant in Contemporary Debate * Prof. David J. Engelsma
Keeping God’s Covenant (six lectures) Hanko & Engelsma
The Covenant of God Rev. Herman Veldman
Intro. By Rev. T. Miersma
Evangelism and the Reformed Faith * Prof. D. Engelsma
The Gospel * Rev. H. Hoeksema
The Latest Attack on Grace in the Reformed Churches: Justification by Works – A Covenant Heresy and Questions  (Order CD) (Federal Vision) Prof. David J. Engelsma
 
 
With the short format of this devotion, I can only point to a few things, besides the above-stated importance of this subject and the references above.  I have chosen to focus first on the role of God in the covenant from today’s Scripture, to focus second on a general description of the covenant by Professor Engelsma from his above-stated book, and to focus third on a specific description of one of the categories of beneficiaries of this specific Covenant of the Rainbow (which is the covenant described by today’s Scripture), namely how creation benefits from this specific covenant, also from Professor Engelsma from his above-stated book. 
 
First, when we read the verses which I have copied below with bold italic for emphasis, notice how God pounds the table that it is He Himself who is establishes the covenant.  This is not a contract or agreement which essentially is:  “I will do my part only if you do your part.”  These are unconditional promises and actions by God.     
 
“9 “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you;  10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you;  of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.  11 I establish My covenant with you;  and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”  12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;  13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.  14 It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;  and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”  17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”  Genesis 9:9-17.
 
Second, there is a general description of the covenant by Professor Engelsma from his above-stated book on page 117 under the title:  “Covenant as Fellowship”:  “There is pervasive and persuasive biblical evidence that the covenant of grace established by God with his church in Jesus Christ is essentially a relationship of fellowship.  God is their God, and they are his people.  …  He graciously makes and fulfills promises that bestow salvation upon the covenant people.  …  God in Jesus Christ knows the covenant people in love, draws them near to himself …  The covenant is family fellowship (Emphasis added by Bill) …  This is how Scriptures want us to think of the covenant.  A father and mother who passionately love their children live with them, giving themselves to them and enjoying them.  …”   
 
Third, there is a description of one the specific beneficiaries of this specific Covenant of the Rainbow, namely creation, by Professor Engelsma from his above-stated book on page 106:  “God’s fatherly embrace in Jesus Christ extends beyond the large family of the church to the creation itself.  (Emphasis added by Bill.)  The creation of earth, plants, and animals, now groaning in “the bondage of corruption” is loved by the Father, has been redeemed by the son, and shall share in the renewal of the Holy Spirit (John 3:16, Rom. 8:19-22).  …”
 
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”  Romans 8:19-21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 10, 2013

One Soothing Sacrifice for Sins

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 8 which covers the subsiding of the flood. 
 
 
We will focus on the following verses 15-22. 
 
“Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.  Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”  So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him.  Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark.
 
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth;  and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.

“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”  Genesis 8:15-22.

———————

How does a perfectly holy, just, and righteous God deal with evil man whose “heart is evil from his youth”?  He has got to do something!

We know that all the best burnt offerings in the world, and whatever else man can produce, cannot appease such a perfectly holy, just, and righteous God. 

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.”  Hebrews 10:1 

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;”  Hebrews 10:11  

God has got to do something Himself!

“And He (God) saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16

Article 1.  God is not only supremely merciful, but also supremely just.  And his justice requires (as he hath revealed himself in his Word), that our sins committed against his infinite majesty should be punished, not only with temporal, but with eternal punishment, both in body and soul;  which we cannot escape, unless satisfaction be made to the justice of God.

Article 2.  Since therefore we are unable to make that satisfaction in our own persons, or to deliver ourselves from the wrath of God, he hath been pleased in his infinite mercy to give his only begotten Son, for our surety, who was made sin, and became a curse for us and in our stead, that he might make satisfaction to divine justice on our behalf.

Article 3.  The death of the Son of God is the only and most perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for sin; and is of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world.

Article 4.  This death derives its infinite value and dignity from these considerations, because the person who submitted to it was not only really man, and perfectly holy, but also the only begotten Son of God, of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit, which qualifications were necessary to constitute him a Savior for us;  and because it was attended with a sense of the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin.

Article 5.  Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.

Article 6.   And, whereas many who are called by the gospel, do not repent, nor believe in Christ, but perish in unbelief;  this is not owing to any defect or insufficiency in the sacrifice offered by Christ upon the cross, but is wholly to be imputed to themselves.

Article 7.   But as many as truly believe, and are delivered and saved from sin and destruction through the death of Christ, are indebted for this benefit solely to the grace of God, given them in Christ from everlasting, and not to any merit of their own.

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.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “… having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.  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.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:12-18. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 9, 2013

Herding Cats

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis Chapter 7. 
 
 
We will focus on the following verses.
 
“Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.”  Genesis 7:5.
 
“Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground, there went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.”  Genesis 7:8-9.
 
“Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him;  and the Lord closed it behind him.”  Genesis 7:16.
 
“For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights;  and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.”  Genesis 7:4.
 
——————–
 
“Herding cats may refer to:

  • An idiomatic saying that refers to an attempt to control or organize a class of entities which are uncontrollable or chaotic.  Implies a task that is extremely difficult or impossible to do, primarily due to chaotic factors.”
 
We often laugh at the use of that expression, but it is a good descriptive title for today’s devotion, because it helps us understand the extremely difficult task that Noah had to do to get the animals into the ark.  We know that it was an impossible command for Noah to fulfill unless God miraculously performed it for Noah.
 
And, God didn’t only “herd cats” to fulfill His will.
 
God controlled the rain not only on that world-wide scale but also precisely to the day that the rain came and ended.  Each rain drop was under God’s sovereign control and command to the precise moment that the rain drop hit the earth.
 
God even closed the door behind Noah after all were safely aboard the ark.  Verse 16.
 
Yes, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time”.  See Genesis 6:9.  Yes, “Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.”  Verse 5 of today’s Scripture.  But, Noah was so and did so, because God had as much sovereign control and command over Noah as God did over “herding cats”.
 
Reformed Doctrine helps us understand this sovereign control and command of God over everything.
 
Article 13:  Of Divine Providence.

We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed.  For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly.  … This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust …”  Belgic Confession. 

Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.  Heidelberg Catechism.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 8, 2013

“For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 6:9-22.  Here is a link to the chapter.
 
 
We will focus on the following verses 11-13 and 17-19.
 
“Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence.  God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.
 
Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them;  and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”  Genesis 6:11-13. 
 
“Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven;  everything that is on the earth shall perish.  But I will establish My covenant with you;  and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.  And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.”  Genesis 6:17-19.   ————————

Today’s Scripture should motivate us to the fear of the Lord.  The Lord will certainly rescue the righteous and punish the wicked.

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;  and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:4-9.

The wicked may mock the righteous and continue their wicked ways, but judgment and punishment will certainly comes in a short time.  “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.”  2 Peter 3:3-6.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”  2 Peter 3:10. 

“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!   But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,”  2 Peter 3:11-15.

Psalm 19:9

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;  The judgments of the Lord are true;  they are righteous altogether.
 
Psalm 22:23

You who fear the Lord, praise Him;  All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.
 
Psalm 25:12

Who is the man who fears the Lord?  He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
 
Psalm 25:14

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
 
Psalm 33:8

Let all the earth fear the Lord;  Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
 
Psalm 33:18

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
 
Psalm 34:9

O fear the Lord, you His saints;  For to those who fear Him there is no want.
 
Psalm 36:1

Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;  There is no fear of God before his eyes.
 
Psalm 40:3

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;  Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.
 
Psalm 47:2

For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.
 
Psalm 76:11

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;  Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.
 
Psalm 86:11

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
 
Psalm 96:4

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;  He is to be feared above all gods.
 
Psalm 103:13

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
 
Psalm 103:17

But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
 
Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;  A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;  His praise endures forever.
 
Psalm 112:1

Praise the Lord!  How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
 
Psalm 115:11

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;  He is their help and their shield.
 
Psalm 115:13

He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great.
 
Psalm 118:4

Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
 
Psalm 128:1

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.
 
Psalm 128:4

Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.
 
Psalm 147:11

The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.
 
Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;  Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 
Proverbs 3:7

Do not be wise in your own eyes;  Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
 
Proverbs 8:13

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;  Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
 
Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
 
Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
 
Proverbs 14:2

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
 
Proverbs 14:26

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.
 
Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
 
Proverbs 15:16

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
 
Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
 
Proverbs 16:6

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
 
Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
 
Proverbs 22:4

The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
 
Proverbs 23:17

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always.
 
Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
 
Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
 
Isaiah 8:13

“It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy.  And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.
 
Revelation 15:4

“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.”

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