Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 8, 2024

“and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 2:6-15.

“When Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land.  The people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel.  Then Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten.  And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.  All that generation also were gathered to their fathers;  and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.

Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them;  thus they provoked the LORD to anger.  So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.  The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them;  and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.  Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.”  Judges 2:6-15.

——————-

Israel got into trouble, because they “did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.” Verse 10.  

Who is the LORD?

Does the LORD primarily react to what man does?

Or, does the LORD primarily initiate His own work based on His own purpose to accomplish all of His own pleasure?

“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.

What is the LORD’s work?

Is the LORD only interested in lovingkindness?

Or, is the LORD interested in more?

“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.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:1-3.

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

Does the LORD allow man to choose whom will be saved through their own wisdom and their own alleged free will?

Or, does the LORD’s sovereignty extend over salvation such that the LORD saves only those He unconditionally chooses to save based on His sovereign will and His good pleasure?

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

“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.

God’s sovereignty extends over every detail of salvation 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. This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“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 You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 7, 2024

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers” – “I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 1:27 through Judges 2:5.  Here is a link to Judges chapter 1 to cover the verses at the end of the chapter that I have not quoted herein – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages;  so the Canaanites persisted in living in that land.  It came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely.

Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer;  so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.

Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol;  so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced labor.

Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob.  So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land;  for they did not drive them out.

…

Now the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim.  And he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers;  and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land;  you shall tear down their altars.’  But you have not obeyed Me;  what is this you have done?  Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you;  but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’”  When the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept.  So they named that place Bochim;  and there they sacrificed to the LORD.”  Judges 1:27-32 and Judges 2:1-5.

——————

As stated in the prior devotion, there is a similar thread to this Scripture and the preceding Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26) such that I first intended on combining them into one devotion.  The similar thread in both Scriptures is that Israel did not completely drive out the aliens. 

But, there is an important difference.  The difference between the two Scriptures is that the LORD did not condemn nor punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in the prior Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26). But, the LORD did condemn and punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in today’s Scripture.

The lesson from the prior Scripture (Joshua 1:16-26) as detailed in the prior devotion is that the LORD provides for aliens.

The lesson from today’s Scripture is that we need to be very careful to not let the customs and practices of other people lead us astray from fully obeying and clinging to the LORD.  “… they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’”  Verse 3.

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said, 

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
“And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 

But, there is hope!

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God;  the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”  Deuteronomy 7:6. 

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy;  and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”  Leviticus 20:26. 

“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3. 

“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;”  1 Peter 2:9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 6, 2024

“He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 1:16-26.

“The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the city of palms with the sons of Judah, to the wilderness of Judah which is in the south of Arad;  and they went and lived with the people.  Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it.  So the name of the city was called Hormah.  And Judah took Gaza with its territory and Ashkelon with its territory and Ekron with its territory.  Now the LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country;  but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots.  Then they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had promised;  and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak.  But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem;  so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

Likewise the house of Joseph went up against Bethel, and the LORD was with them.  The house of Joseph spied out Bethel (now the name of the city was formerly Luz).  The spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance to the city and we will treat you kindly.”  So he showed them the entrance to the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his family go free.  The man went into the land of the Hittites and built a city and named it Luz which is its name to this day.”  Judges 1:16-26.

—————-

Although there is a similar thread to this Scripture and the following Scripture (Joshua 1:27-36) such that I first intended on combining them into one devotion, there is an important and comforting difference. 

The similar thread in both Scriptures is that Israel did not completely drive out the aliens. 

The difference between the two Scriptures is that the LORD did not condemn nor punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in today’s Scripture. But, the LORD did condemn and punish Israel for Israel not completely driving out the aliens in the following Scripture (Joshua 1:27-36).

The LORD put these two Scripture passages next to each other (and today’s Scripture first) to teach us a lesson that the LORD provides for aliens. See the title for today’s devotion with much Scripture later in this devotion.

In the next devotion, God willing, we will cover the lesson from the following Scripture (Joshua 1:27-36).

Most importantly, on the broadest coverage, concerning what the LORD provides for the aliens, we are reminded of what the LORD did for the Gentiles through Jesus’ work on the cross.

“Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”  Ephesians 2:11-16. 

But, even before Jesus’ work on the cross, we see hope for the aliens and sojourners.

We see the care that the LORD had for Rachel and her household.  “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”  Hebrews 11:31.  

In today’s Scripture, we see that the man from Lutz was treated kindly because he showed the spies the entrance to the city.  Verses 22-26.  

In today’s Scripture, we also see the care given the descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, who went up from the city of palms with the sons of Judah, to the wilderness of Judah and lived with the people.  Verse 16.

We see that the Law provided for care for the sojourners and aliens.  Here are some examples.  

“but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God;  in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.”   Exodus 20:10.  

“If an alien sojourns with you, or one who may be among you throughout your generations, and he wishes to make an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, just as you do so he shall do.”  Numbers 11:14.

“These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them;  that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.”  Numbers 35:15.

“‘When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt;  I am the LORD your God.”  Leviticus 19:33.

“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest;  you are to leave them for the needy and the alien.  I am the LORD your God.’”  Leviticus 23:22.

“So all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven, with the alien who sojourns among them, for it happened to all the people through error.

…  You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them.”  Numbers 15:26 and 29.

“Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him.”  Deuteronomy 1:16.

In summary, here is what God does and what we are exhorted to do. “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.  So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 10:18-19.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 5, 2024

“Ask, and it will be given to you; … how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 1:11-15.

“Then from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir (now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher).  And Caleb said, “The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will even give him my daughter Achsah for a wife.”  Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it;  so he gave him his daughter Achsah for a wife.  Then it came about when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field.  Then she alighted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?”  She said to him, “Give me a blessing, since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.”  So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.”  Judges 1:11-15. 

——————-

Today’s Scripture, particularly the grant by Caleb of the request of his daughter Achsah for the springs of water, reminds us of the following Scriptures.

“Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find;  knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:7-11. 

“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. 

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”  John 14:13-14.

“In that day you will not question Me about anything.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked for nothing in My name;  ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”  John 16:23-24.

“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 8:32.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 4, 2024

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

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 1:1-10.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”  The LORD said, “Judah shall go up;  behold, I have given the land into his hand.”  Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites;  and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.”  So Simeon went with him.  Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek.  They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.  But Adoni-bezek fled;  and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.  Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table;  as I have done, so God has repaid me.”  So they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.”  Judges 1:1-7.  

—————

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who is the Lion of Judah.  Revelation 5:5.  Jesus is a descendant of Judah.  Matthew 1:1-3.  

First, in today’s Scripture, we see the total dominion that Judah had over Israel’s enemies.  “The LORD said, “Judah shall go up;  behold, I have given the land into his hand.”  Verse 2.  We also see that Judah asked his brother Simeon to go fight with him.  “So Simeon went with him.”  Verse 3.  

We are reminded about the prophecy about Judah, which in turn, reminds us of Jesus. 

“8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
9 “Judah is a lion’s whelp;
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He couches, he lies down as a lion,
And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?
10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes,
And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49:8-10.

“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.’”

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 2:7-12. 

“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.

“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”  1 Corinthians 15:25.

“Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”  Revelation 19:6.

“To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 1, 2024

“You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 24:16-33.  Due to the importance of this devotion and the length of it, I want to pause to allow us more time to meditate on it.  The next devotion, God willing, will be on Sunday, February 4, 2024.  

Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2024&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods;  for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed.  The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land.  We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God.  He is a jealous God;  He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.  If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.”  The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.”  And they said, “We are witnesses.”  “Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”  The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice.”  So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.  And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God;  and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.  Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us;  thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.”  Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his inheritance.”  Joshua 24:14-28.

—————

How could the choice of Israel to serve the LORD be a witness against Israel?  It is repeated three times! Would not Israel’s choice to serve the LORD be a witness for Israel? 

Consider in sharp contrast the LORD’S choice of His elect to save compared with Israel’s choice to serve. The LORD has sovereign power to do all that is necessary to save His elect. Whereas, Israel ability to serve the LORD is dependent on Israel’s wisdom and Israel’s will.

The stone is against the thinking that we should trust our wisdom and our will, even our strong declaration, to serve the LORD. Instead, we should trust God to provide all that we need for our salvation.

But, man naturally still prefers man’s choice (man’s will) over God’s choice (God’s will). Man naturally prefers man’s alleged free-will over God’s total sovereignty.

Man may think that he is doing God a favor by consenting to God’s sovereignty over the stars of heaven, something that man knows he cannot control.  But, man rebels against God’s sovereignty over salvation.  

“3 Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The LORD scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:3-4.

“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.

9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:5-9. 

Man thinks that he can incline his own heart to serve the LORD.  

But, we need God to incline our heart to Himself to serve Him.

“May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers;  may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.”  1 Kings 8:57-58. 

Man thinks all that he needs to do is write his plans in stone.

But, we need God to remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

But, what does Scripture specifically state about man’s choice versus God’s choice?

“For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”  1 Corinthians 1:19-20.

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21.

“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.

“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 2:8-9.

God controls the smallest details of life on earth so that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29), and God is certainly not giving up any control over what is most important, namely salvation. 

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

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.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God handles all the points of 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.

“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.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God;  the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,  but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”   Deuteronomy 7:6-8. 

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” John 15:16.

“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 | January 31, 2024

“as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 24:14-15.

“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth;  and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:  whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living;  but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15.

—————

Despite the most excellent reasons to serve the LORD (such as Joshua carefully laid out in the preceding Scripture), it may have seemed to Joshua and us today that everybody else was drifting away (if not running away) to other gods.  

There were others in Scripture who felt the same thing.

“…  Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?  “LORD, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”  Romans 11:2-3.

“But what is the divine response to him?  “I HAVE KEPT FOR MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”  In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”  Romans 11:4-6. 

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Romans 3:10-12. 

Consider Paul’s prophecy.

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;  Avoid such men as these.  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:1-7. 

But, what did Joshua say and do?

“as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  Verse 15.

What did Noah do?

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”  Hebrews 11:7.

What did Paul advise Timothy to do?

“Avoid such men as these.”  2 Timothy 3:5.

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 3:14-15. 

But, there is hope!

God will save every one of His elect. 

“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.

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

God accomplished all of His good pleasure and demonstrated His grace by choosing whom He will save (“Unconditional Election”) and by providing all that the His elect need for salvation:  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. This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 30, 2024

“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 24:1-13.

“Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers;  and they presented themselves before God.  Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods.  Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac.  To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau, and to Esau I gave Mount Seir to possess it;  but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt.  Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt by what I did in its midst;  and afterward I brought you out.  I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea;  and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea.  But when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them;  and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt.  And you lived in the wilderness for a long time.  Then I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan, and they fought with you;  and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land when I destroyed them before you.  Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel, and he sent and summoned Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.  But I was not willing to listen to Balaam.  So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand.  You crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho;  and the citizens of Jericho fought against you, and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite.  Thus I gave them into your hand.  Then I sent the hornet before you and it drove out the two kings of the Amorites from before you, but not by your sword or your bow.  I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them;  you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’”  Joshua 24:1-13.

———————

As shown by the following Scripture, Joshua 24:14-28, Joshua presented this nutshell history of Israel in order to remind Israel that the LORD guided, protected, and blessed Israel as a basis for his following exhortation to Israel to choose whom they should serve and as a basis to obtain a witness against Israel after they made their choice.  

But, we can use today’s Scripture for us, and consider and meditate for us, how God has guided us, protected us, and blessed us as a basis to believe that God has chosen us to be His chosen people.

Consider Moses’ request.

“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people?  Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken;  for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Exodus 33:16-17.

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God;  the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”  Deuteronomy 7:6.

More generally, over time, we learn and believe that we are the elect a/k/a God’s chosen people by God doing special particular goodness to us, particularly “distinguished from all the other people”. 

Everybody gets sunshine and rain, so when we experience such common good things, we do not feel “distinguished from all the other people”. But, when we feel that God is showing us special particular goodness to us, that all other people do not receive, we feel that we are in distinction a/k/a distinguished from other people and we wonder and think we may be the elect a/k/a God’s chosen people. 

As stated in the Canons of Dordt that I will later quote in full, “The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election“. 

So, let us look at some Scriptures.

“But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”’”  Exodus 9:4.

“But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’”  Exodus 11:7.

“And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them;  the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand.  Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed;  all came to pass.”  Joshua 21:44-45.

“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised;  not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.  May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers;  may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.”  1 Kings 8:56-58. 

“7 I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD,
According to all that the LORD has granted us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has granted them according to His compassion
And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, “Surely, they are My people,
Sons who will not deal falsely.”
So He became their Savior.” Isaiah 63:7-8.  

In regards to what I highlighted above, consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 12.  The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election, not by inquisitively prying into the secret and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves with a spiritual joy and holy pleasure, the infallible fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God – such as a true faith in Christ, filial fear, a godly sorrow for sin, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, etc.

God only shows “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7. “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 1:3-4.

Just as a husband only distinguishes his own wife and only loves his own wife, not all women, “… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” Malachi 3:17-18.

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:22-24.

In other words than the above-stated Romans 9:22-24, we appreciate more being “distinguished from all the other people” and what God has done for us when we can see and compare ourselves with others, both in the goodness that we receive (lovingkindness) and the punishment from which we were saved (mercy).  

“10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” Psalm 58:10-11. 

“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 | January 29, 2024

“ALL FLESH IS GRASS, … BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 23:14-16.

“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed;  all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.  It shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.  When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.”  Joshua 23:14-16.  

———-

It may seem that Joshua was a little harsh in how he ended his farewell address.  It may also seem like his ending contradicted what he previously said:  “not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed”.

But, we then realize that punishment of evil is good;  punishment is part of justice.  So to speak, the LORD fulfilled His words of justice as well as the LORD fulfilled His words of lovingkindness.

There can also be restoration after punishment. 

The two overarching points of today’s devotion is the frailty of man in terms of shortness of life and sinfulness of man, and the eternity and perfection of God’s Word.   

“All flesh is grass, … But the word of our God stands forever.” 

Joshua’s ending of his farewell address is similar to what the LORD said to Moses near the end of his life.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time for you to die is near;  call Joshua, and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.”  So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting.  The LORD appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the doorway of the tent.  The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers;  and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.  Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them;  so that they will say in that day, ‘Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?’  But I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods.”  Deuteronomy 31:14-18. 

“7 For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
8 You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9 For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11 Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:7-12.

But, there is hope!

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.
2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem;
And call out to her, that her warfare has ended,
That her iniquity has been removed,
That she has received of the LORD’S hand
Double for all her sins.”

3 A voice is calling,
“Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
4 “Let every valley be lifted up,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
5 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Call out.”
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.“ Isaiah 40:1-8. 

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.  For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.  For, 

“ALL FLESH IS GRASS,
AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERS,
AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”

And this is the word which was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:17-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 28, 2024

“cling to the LORD your God” – “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 23:1-13.  

“Now it came about after many days, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies on every side, and Joshua was old, advanced in years, that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and their heads and their judges and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.  And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has been fighting for you.  See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun.  The LORD your God, He will thrust them out from before you and drive them from before you;  and you will possess their land, just as the LORD your God promised you.  Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them.  But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.  For the LORD has driven out great and strong nations from before you; and as for you, no man has stood before you to this day.  One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.  So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.  For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you;  but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.”  Joshua 23:1-13.  

—————–

Note the exhortations of Joshua in verses 6, 8, and 11 as highlighted above in bold italic font which I summarize as “Be very firm … to do all that is written in the book of the law” and “cling to the LORD your God” and “take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God”.

How can we do these things?

Through our own wisdom and our own will and our own strength?

Or, by God’s grace, through God’s will and His work within us?

“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.

“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.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

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

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“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. 

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