Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 20:1-12.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Samuel 20 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet and said,

“We have no portion in David,
Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse;
Every man to his tents, O Israel!”

So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri;  but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

…

Then the king said to Amasa, “Call out the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.”  So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.  And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom;  take your lord’s servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight.”  So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.  When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them.  Now Joab was dressed in his military attire, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist; and as he went forward, it fell out.  Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?”  And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab’s hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died.  Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.”  2 Samuel 20:1-2 and 4-10. 

—————

“I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.” Psalm 119:60.

We see the consequences of the delay by Amasa.  Sheba and the other rebels almost escaped.  Amasa was murdered by Joab, likely for his breach of duty that could have led to the escape of the rebels.  

Today’s devotion will meditate on the bad consequences of delay and the exhortations of Scripture to prepare and be ready, particularly for the coming of the Lord.

We remember the parable of the Ten Virgins. The prudent were prepared to meet the bridegroom (Christ). The foolish were not prepared. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:6-13.

“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.”  2 Peter 3:3-4.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

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 3:9-10.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:13-14.

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.”  2 Peter 3:17-18.

But, there are those who hesitate, delay, and procrastinate.  They are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:7.  They believe salvation is in their alleged free-will and in a continual and endless process of their learning, rather than in a steadfast faith resting in grace, namely, all that God has done for their salvation.

So to speak, they are satisfied by the journey, rather than arriving at the destination, “THE DAY OF SALVATION”.   Likewise we read, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” John 5:39-40.

They repeatedly hear good preaching and teaching of the doctrines of grace, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt.  But, they straddle the fence.  They fear man more than God.  They fear those who reject God’s salvation preferring man’s alleged free-will.  When they hear others hatefully exclaim:  “Calvinism?!  Predestination?!  Election?!  That is not the God I serve!”, they shrink back. 

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:36-39.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 19:16-30.

“Then Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.  There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, with Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him;  and they rushed to the Jordan before the king.  Then they kept crossing the ford to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight.  And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan.  So he said to the king, “Let not my lord consider me guilty, nor remember what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king came out from Jerusalem, so that the king would take it to heart.  For your servant knows that I have sinned;  therefore behold, I have come today, the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”  But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?”  David then said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me?  Should any man be put to death in Israel today?  For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?”  The king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” Thus the king swore to him.

Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king;  and he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.  It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”  So he answered, “O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me;  for your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.  Moreover, he has slandered your servant to my lord the king;  but my lord the king is like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight.  For all my father’s household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king;  yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table.  What right do I have yet that I should complain anymore to the king?”  So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs?  I have decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’”  Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house.”  2 Samuel 19:16-30.

———–

We can learn from the actions and words of Shimei and Mephibosheth which showed their devotion to King David. 

Shimei cursed King David and deserved death, but King David forgave him.  We are reminded that like Shimei, we have been forgiven much.  

There is the hope that he or she who has been forgiven much by God will love God more than him or her who has been forgiven little. 

“And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”  And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.”  “A moneylender had two debtors:  one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both.  So which of them will love him more?”  Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”  And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”  Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?  I entered your house;  you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave Me no kiss;  but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.  For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much;  but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  Luke 7:40-47. 

Mephibosheth cared more for His King’s welfare than for his own welfare.  We are reminded of the greatest commandment.

“One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.”  Matthew 22:35-38.  

There is the hope that the LORD will cause us to love Him as we should love him.

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;  because as He is, so also are we in this world.  There is no fear in love;  but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:16-19. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love …”  Galatians 5:22.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 18:9-18.

“Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David.  For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak.  And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.  When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”  Then Joab said to the man who had told him, “Now behold, you saw him!  Why then did you not strike him there to the ground?  And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”  The man said to Joab, “Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son;  for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Protect for me the young man Absalom!’  Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”  Then Joab said, “I will not waste time here with you.”  So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.

Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people.  They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones.  And all Israel fled, each to his tent.  Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to preserve my name.”  So he named the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.”  2 Samuel 18:9-18.

—————-

A big head gets us into trouble.  We should not be infatuated with our beauty or our brains or our boldness.

We remember Absalom’s beauty.  “Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised;  from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.”  2 Samuel 14:25.

We remember Absalom’s brains.  He schemed and stole the hearts of the men of Israel away from his father, King David.  See 2 Samuel 15:1-6.

We remember Absalom’s boldness.  “Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house;  then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father.  The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.”  So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.”  2 Samuel 16:20-22.

Pride gets us in trouble.  But, there is hope for those who are humble and who attend to God’s word and who trust in the LORD. 

“18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Proverbs 16:18-20.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 18:1-8.

“Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.  David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite.  And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.”  But the people said, “You should not go out;  for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us;  even if half of us die, they will not care about us.  But you are worth ten thousand of us;  therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.”  Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.”  So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands.  The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”  And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.

Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.  The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men.  For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”  2 Samuel 18:1-8.

—————–

Sometimes, Scripture will directly state the LORD’S names and His qualities, and other times, like in today’s Scripture, the Scripture will only present historical facts which lead us to meditate on what the LORD is doing in those historical facts and what qualities of the LORD are shown through such historical facts. 

Sometimes, like in today’s Scripture, the facts are so unusual to produce such an outcome that we can reasonably infer that the LORD wanted us to conclude that He was at work in such a way that the events, were not by chance but rather by His providence, and to show that He, the LORD deserves credit and glory for the outcome (and not man).  

But, we can use other Scripture that states the LORD’S name and His intention to use unusual facts to produce an outcome so that He, the LORD, would get credit and glory for the outcome (and not man).  

One example is the LORD’s use of Gideon and so few people to achieve victory.  “The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’  …  The LORD said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands;  so let all the other people go, each man to his home.”  Judges 7:2 and 7.  

In today’s Scripture, consider the following facts that normally do not produce a victory.

First, normally, the king’s (or leader’s) advice is followed.  But, in today’s Scripture, we see that David’s advice was announced.  “And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.”  But the people said, “You should not go out …  Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” 

Secondly, normally, the king does not advise his armies to deal gently with the leader of the rebellion for two reasons.  The primary  purpose is to kill or imprison the leader of the rebellion, and such advice also deflates and takes the motivation (wind out of the sails) of the army.  But, in today’s Scripture, we see David charge the people:  “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” 

Third, normally, weapons kill more people than apparent natural causes.  But, in today’s Scripture, we see “the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31.

“16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:16-18.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 17:15-29.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Samuel 17 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.  

“Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled.  Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be destroyed.’”  Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, and a maidservant would go and tell them, and they would go and tell King David, for they could not be seen entering the city.  But a lad did see them and told Absalom;  so the two of them departed quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it.  And the woman took a covering and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, so that nothing was known.  Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”  And the woman said to them, “They have crossed the brook of water.”  And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

It came about after they had departed that they came up out of the well and went and told King David;  and they said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you.”  Then David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed the Jordan;  and by dawn not even one remained who had not crossed the Jordan.

Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father.

Then David came to Mahanaim.  And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.  …  And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat;  for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”  2 Samuel 17:15-24 and 26-29. 

—————–

What if Hushai was not successful in thwarting the counsel of Ahithophel?

What if Ahimaaz and Jonathan were not hidden in the well or otherwise did not escape to tell King David of Absalom’s plans?

What if Ahithophel did not die?  Would Absalom seek him and his advice after understanding that Hushai misled him?

What if people did not bring food to David and for the people in the wilderness?

There was hope for David and there is hope for us today in a world of “What if?s”!

The LORD is Sovereign and Almighty and is able to cause all things to work together for the good of His elect.  The LORD is our Heavenly Father and wants to to cause all things to work together for the good of His elect a/k/a His children. 

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

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

A.  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.

Q. 27.  What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

A.  The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures;  so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. 

Q. 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

A.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love;  since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32.