Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 6, 2024

“I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel chapter 4.

“Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel.  Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek.  The Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel.  When the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.  When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines?  Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.”  So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts who sits above the cherubim;  and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded.  When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?”  Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.  The Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp.”  And they said, “Woe to us!  For nothing like this has happened before.  Woe to us!  Who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods?  These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.  Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; therefore, be men and fight.”

So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent;  and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers.  And the ark of God was taken;  and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Now a man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes torn and dust on his head.  When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road eagerly watching, because his heart was trembling for the ark of God.  So the man came to tell it in the city, and all the city cried out.  When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What does the noise of this commotion mean?”  Then the man came hurriedly and told Eli.  Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were set so that he could not see.  The man said to Eli, “I am the one who came from the battle line.  Indeed, I escaped from the battle line today.”  And he said, “How did things go, my son?”  Then the one who brought the news replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.”  When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for he was old and heavy.  Thus he judged Israel forty years.

Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas’s wife, was pregnant and about to give birth;  and when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.  And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son.”  But she did not answer or pay attention.  And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband.  She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken.”  1 Samuel chapter 4.

——————–

In today’s Scripture, we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of the LORD against Eli, Hophni and Phinehas.

“This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas:  on the same day both of them will die.”  1 Samuel 2:34.

But, there was hope in the very next verse of the the prophecy of the LORD! 

“But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul;  and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.”  1 Samuel 2:35.  

The lesson for us today is that when we experience tribulations, we can remember more of God’s word and take hope.

“5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the LORD
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the LORD;
For with the LORD there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8 And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:5-8.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:26-27.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 5, 2024

“It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.” – “His work is perfect”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 3:10-18.

“Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel!  Samuel!”  And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”  The LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.  In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.  For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them.  Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

So Samuel lay down until morning.  Then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD.  But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.  Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.”  And he said, “Here I am.”  He said, “What is the word that He spoke to you?  Please do not hide it from me.  May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the words that He spoke to you.”  So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.  And he said, “It is the LORD;  let Him do what seems good to Him.”  1 Samuel 3:10-18.

—————–    

Eli declared the sovereignty of the LORD in spite of the prophecy of the LORD against him.  This is thought-provoking, not as to any quality of Eli, but as to the basis of the sovereignty of the LORD, namely “what seems good to Him.” 

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

Man thinks that the world revolves around him.  But, the world revolves around God.  God does “what seems good to Him.”  

“He does whatever He pleases.”  

God continues to declare and say throughout all time, even before things were done:  “My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure”.

The LORD’s sovereignty rules even over salvation.  “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

And, that is good that the sovereignty of the LORD rules over all, because God is good and perfect.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession.

Article 1: That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.

“The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14. 

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  That is, we will be perfect, not because we should try harder to follow the example of our heavenly Father, but rather, we will be perfect because of the sovereignty of the LORD over everything, including His children.  

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 3, 2024

“Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.” – “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 3:1-9.

“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli.  And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.

It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well),  and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, that the LORD called Samuel;  and he said, “Here I am.”  Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”  But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.”  So he went and lay down.  The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!”  So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”  But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.”  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him.  So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time.  And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”  Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy.  And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’”  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”  1 Samuel 3:1-9.

——————-

It is so sad for us to read in the first verse that “word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.”

But, how joyful it is for us today that we have all the words of the LORD in the Bible!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

“He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Proverbs 16:20.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3.

So, how can we better listen to the LORD?

Consider the following Scriptures.

“And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to.  …”  Mark 4:24. 

There is a lot of unprofitable noise from the TV, the computer, the cell phone, and people.  It can distract us from reading God’s word.  At worst, it contradicts what we read from God’s word. 

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village;  and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?  Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42.

We think it is good to be busy.  When someone asks how we are doing, we proudly say:  “I am so busy!“, as if it is a badge of honor.

But, what does our Lord say?  

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part (sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word), which shall not be taken away from her.” 

“17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you in the way you should go.
18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments!
Then your well-being would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 “Your descendants would have been like the sand,
And your offspring like its grains;
Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from My presence.” Isaiah 48:17-19.

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 2, 2024

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:27-36.

“Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Did I not indeed reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?  Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me;  and did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?  Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?’  Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.  Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house.  You will see the distress of My dwelling, in spite of all the good that I do for Israel;  and an old man will not be in your house forever.  Yet I will not cut off every man of yours from My altar so that your eyes will fail from weeping and your soul grieve, and all the increase of your house will die in the prime of life.  This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas:  on the same day both of them will die.  But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul;  and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.  Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and say, “Please assign me to one of the priest’s offices so that I may eat a piece of bread.”’”  1 Samuel 2:27-36.

——————

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;  and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”  Matthew 10:37-39.

Today’s Scripture leads us consider that the LORD’s words for Eli can apply to us today.  It is such an honor and blessing to hear and read and preach and teach Reformed Doctrine.  Yet, too many care more about what others think about them.  They are embarrassed by Reformed Doctrine including election and predestination;  they rather be praised for their social missions.  We need to treasure Reformed Doctrine, and so to speak, be a faithful priest.

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  Hebrews 13:9-13.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.  For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:8-14.

But, there is hope!

Samuel and Jesus were faithful priests. 

And, through God’s work within us, we too can be faithful priests. Take a look again at the words highlighted in bold italic above. First, we think of God the Father when we read: “I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” Second, we think of God the Son when we read: “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Third, we think of God the Spirit when we read: “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

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

“and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:6.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:10.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 1, 2024

“How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:18-21 and 26.

“Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.  And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.  Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.”  And they went to their own home.

The LORD visited Hannah;  and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters.  And the boy Samuel grew before the LORD.

…

Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.”  1 Samuel 2:18-21 and 26.  

———–

Hannah was barren.  “… the LORD had closed her womb.   Her rival (Elkanah’s other wife), however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.”  1 Samuel 1:5-6.  

Hannah prayed to the LORD.  “She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.  She made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”  1 Samuel 1:10-11.

The LORD heard the voice of Hannah’s supplication and gave her a son, Samuel.  

But, not only did the LORD give Hannah a son, Samuel, we read in today’s Scripture that the LORD also gave Hannah additional children:  three sons and two daughters, thereby fulfilling (at least figuratively) Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving earlier in this chapter:  “… Even the barren gives birth to seven, …  1 Samuel 2:5.  

And, the LORD blessed Samuel.  “Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men.”  Verse 26.

“19 How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!
20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD,
For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.
22 As for me, I said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from before Your eyes”;
Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications
When I cried to You.

23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:19-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 30, 2024

“But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:12-17 and 1 Samuel 2:22-25.

“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men;  they did not know the LORD and the custom of the priests with the people.  When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand.  Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot;  all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself.  Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.  Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.”  If the man said to him, “They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now;  and if not, I will take it by force.”  Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD.

…

Now Eli was very old;  and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.  He said to them, “Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all these people?  No, my sons;  for the report is not good which I hear the LORD’S people circulating.  If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him;  but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?”  But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death.”  1 Samuel 2:12-17 and 1 Samuel 2:22-25.

——————

First, we notice that Eli rebuked his sons and called them to repentance.  We are likewise called to rebuke and call to repentance.  This devotion is too short to comprehensively cover this point, and this is not the main point of this devotion.  Here are just a few Scriptures to consider.   

“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:24-26.

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,”  1 Timothy 5:1.

“Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”  1 Timothy 5:20.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:1-2. 

Second, we notice the last sentence in today’s Scripture:  “But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death.”  The main point to this devotion is to meditate on the qualities of the LORD.

The LORD does not love everyone.  The LORD does not desire to save everyone.  The LORD does not desire to give the gift of repentance to everyone.  In addition to the quality of showing His lovingkindness, the LORD desires to show the qualities of His justice and His righteousness.  

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14.

Man is naturally man-centered and inclined to limit giving glory to God for only what God has done for his salvation.

God deserves glory for more than only His lovingkindness;  God also deserves glory for His justice, His righteousness, and His other excellent qualities.

What would we think of a judge who only pardoned everyone, no matter how bad the crime, and did not punish anyone?  We, particularly the victims, would think that the judge is unjust and would try to get that judge removed from office by the next election as soon as possible.

Glory belongs to God for His justice in punishment of the ungodly as well as glory belongs to God for His lovingkindness to His elect in salvation.  “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 2:9.

“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil;  full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;  they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;  and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  Romans 1:28-32.

“11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
14 Behold, he travails with wickedness,
And he conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood.
15 He has dug a pit and hollowed it out,
And has fallen into the hole which he made.
16 His mischief will return upon his own head,
And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:11-17.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.


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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 29, 2024

“The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:10-11.

“10 “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

11 Then Elkanah went to his home at Ramah. But the boy ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.” 1 Samuel 2:10-11.

—————–

“3 “The LORD is a warrior;
The LORD is His name.
4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 “The deeps cover them;
They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.” Exodus 15:3-7.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“11 “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD?
Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises, working wonders?
12 “You stretched out Your right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
13 “In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.” Exodus 15:11-13.

“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17.

“20 “I have found David My servant;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
21 With whom My hand will be established;
My arm also will strengthen him.
22 “The enemy will not deceive him,
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 “But I shall crush his adversaries before him,
And strike those who hate him.
24 “My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him,
And in My name his horn will be exalted.” Psalm 89:20-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 28, 2024

“He keeps the feet of His godly ones” – “For not by might shall a man prevail.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:9.

“He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.” 1 Samuel 2:9.

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The two phrases, “He keeps the feet of His godly ones” and “For not by might shall a man prevail.”, lead us to meditate on God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

“… for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” Hebrews 13:5.

“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Psalm 37:28.

“You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.” Psalm 12:7.

“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11.

“The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

“23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24.

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7.

“Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10.

“23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24.

“Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.” Proverbs 2:8.

“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 33:16-19.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 26, 2024

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:6-8.

“6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 “The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
8 “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them.” 1 Samuel 2:6-8.

—————–

Today’s Scripture gives some specific examples of the LORD’S sovereignty.

Here are some general summaries of the LORD’S sovereignty.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“‘Ah Lord GOD!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You,”  Jeremiah 32:17.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

Man thinks that the world revolves around him. But, the world revolves around God. God does “what seems good to Him.”

“He does whatever He pleases.”

God continues to declare and say throughout all time, even before things were done: “My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure”.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

Reformed Doctrine rejoices that everything, even salvation, is within the range and total control of the LORD’S sovereignty.  “His sovereignty rules over all.”  

God controls the smallest details of life on earth so that not even a sparrow nor even one of our hairs falls to the ground apart from the will of God (See Matthew 10:28-30), and God certainly not giving up any control over what is most important, namely salvation.  God saves according to His purpose, according to His choice, not because of works nor even the will of man.  “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

But, other doctrine protests the LORD’S sovereignty when it comes to the point of man’s alleged free-will.  

They exclaim:  “Stop!  Hands off man’s free-will!”  

“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!” Psalm 2:3.

But, what is the LORD’s response?

“4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:4-9.

“But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”  Luke 19:27.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 25, 2024

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, … “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

Tday’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:3-5.

“3 “Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.” 1 Samuel 2:3-5.

——————-

Today’s Scripture leads us to generally meditate on some Scriptures on pride and humility.

Today’s Scripture also leads us to specifically compare the pride of other doctrine with the humility of Reformed Doctrine.  Other doctrine is proud, giving credit to its disciples for their works or at least their alleged free-will, to be the determining factor(s) as to why they are saved.  Reformed Doctrine is humble, attributing all glory to the LORD for His work and His gifts, all that its disciples need for salvation.  

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.” Proverbs 8:13.

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  James 4:6.

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture teaching that the LORD provides to His elect all that they need for salvation from beginning to end: from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. (The “T” of “TULIP” represents “Total Depravity” of man). This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-9.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:2-3. 

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.

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.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”  Ephesians 2:3-4. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14. 

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