Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:41-58.  Here is a link to this Scripture – Bible Gateway passage: 1 Samuel 17 – New American Standard Bible 1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.  When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him;  for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.  The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”  And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.  This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.  And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear;  for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.”

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead.  And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him;  but there was no sword in David’s hand.  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.  When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.  The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron.  And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.  The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps.  Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.”  1 Samuel 17:41-54.

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“Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8.

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

“Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;  and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:  thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  Tomorrow go down against them.  Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.  You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:14-17.

“13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
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.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:13-22.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:12-30.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 17 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him.  And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry.  Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.  Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.  As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words;  and David heard them.

When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.  The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up?  Surely he is coming up to defy Israel.  And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”  The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.”  1 Samuel 17:20-27.

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How could David stand his ground in front of Goliath?  “When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.”  Verse 24.

How could David even think about what he could get? “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?”  Verse 26.

How could David be so bold? “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”  Verse 26.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7. 

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?  Fill your horn with oil and go;  I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”  But Samuel said, “How can I go?  When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.”  And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’  You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do;  and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.”  So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem.  And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?”  He said, “In peace;  I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.  Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”  He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.”  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him;  for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel.  And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”  Next Jesse made Shammah pass by.  And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”  Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.  But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?”  And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.”  Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him;  for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

So he sent and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance.  And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him;  for this is he.”  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.  And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.”  1 Samuel 16:1-13.

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The LORD did not choose Eliab.  Verses 6-7.  The LORD did not choose Abinadab nor Shammah.  Verses 8-9.  The LORD did not choose Jesse’s other sons.  Verse 10.  The LORD chose David.  Verse 12.  Thus, the first theme of today’s devotion is The LORD’S choice.  

The LORD does not look at outward appearance and choose on that basis as man does, “but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Verse 7.  Thus, this is the second theme of today’s devotion.

In summary of these two themes, the LORD’S choice of us is the basis of His lovingkindness to us. As one example, we see that the LORD’S choice of David was the basis of “the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.”  Verse 13.

“12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
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.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:12-22.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, …

And God freely gives us all other good things.

“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 8:29-32.

“… You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
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 23:5-6.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 14:36-52.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 14 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”  So Jonathan told him and said, “I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand.  Here I am, I must die!”  Saul said, “May God do this to me and more also, for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”  But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel?  Far from it!  As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.”  So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die.  Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.”  1 Samuel 14:43-46.  

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Jonathan thought he must die.  He said:  “Here I am, I must die!” 

Saul was intent on it.  “Saul said, “May God do this to me and more also, for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”

“But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel?  Far from it!  As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.”  So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die.”

The lesson for us is to be ready for salvation.  Today is the day of salvation!

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says,

“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”

Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

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 what 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.

“For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.  For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;  but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.  For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

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.”  Hebrews 6:4-15.