Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:9-20.  Here is a link to today’s Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2038&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then he made the court:  for the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twisted linen, one hundred cubits;  their twenty pillars, and their twenty sockets, made of bronze;  the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.  For the north side there were one hundred cubits;  their twenty pillars and their twenty sockets were of bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.  For the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits with their ten pillars and their ten sockets;  the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.”  Exodus 38:9-12.  

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I decided to stay with the Scripture in its order, rather than to use other Scripture for the devotion today, Christmas day.  When I did a keyword search of “pillars” which word appeared the most (12 times) in today’s Scripture, I was given three verses that were such a blessing to me that I wanted to give them to you as well. We all get the same Christmas gifts.  

So, maybe there is a Christmas theme to today’s devotion after all. Sometimes, we receive unusual Christmas gifts. At first, when I opened these three Christmas gifts (verses), I thought as many of us do when we open some unusual Christmas gifts:  “What is it?  How do I use it?”  

But then, I found a verse within the same chapter which helped explained the verse.  So to speak, the additional verse was the “directions”.  Directions are included with each Christmas gift.

Here are the three verses. 

1. “Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
   And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;” Psalm 144:12.

Our daughters may be tall or they may be short, but God will bless them and fashion them as for a palace. We do want at least a little fashion for Christmas. In the language of the verse of “directions” below, our daughters will be “so situated” by God as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.

“How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!” Psalm 144:15.

2. “Wisdom has built her house,
   She has hewn out her seven pillars;” Proverbs 9:1.

The verses following the above-quoted Proverbs 9:1 do not succinctly describe all seven pillars as we hoped it would. Sometimes, Christmas gifts are puzzles, and we got to figure it out. But, it is worth it! It seems to me that the following Proverbs 9:10-11 are one of the seven pillars. At first reading, we may not fully appreciate what fearing the LORD does for us. It is like a Christmas gift of beauty cream that at first glance, we are not sure what it does, but then we read the directions and understand all that it does. The fear of the LORD is a “fountain of youth” and one of the seven pillars of wisdom.

“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.” Proverbs 9:10-11.

3.  “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”  Revelation 3:12.

We may be scared of eschatology Scripture, fearful of the end days before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We may think:  “There is no way that I can persevere, much less overcome.” 

But, if we feel joy and peace at the thought of Christmas, the first coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then we should also feel peace and joy at the thought of the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!  

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”  Revelation 3:10-11.

Notice that Christ assures us that we have kept His word and that His word is “My perseverance”.  Christ persevered to do all that is necessary to save every one of God’s elect.  Or, in other words, we persevere, we overcome, because all He did for us. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

The fifth point of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation more fully taught by the Canons of Dordt, is “Perseverance of the Saints” better described as God’s “Preservation of the Saints”.  

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.

This is the football helmet that we always wanted for Christmas.  It is the “Helmet of Salvation” in Ephesians chapter 5. In the language of the above-stated Revelation 3:11, specifically regarding to “the word of My perseverance” also known as God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, “hold fast what you have”. Treasure your Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas!

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2038&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.  

“Then he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide, square, and three cubits high.  He made its horns on its four corners, its horns being of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.  He made all the utensils of the altar, the pails and the shovels and the basins, the flesh hooks and the firepans;  he made all its utensils of bronze.  … 

Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.”   Exodus 38:1-3 and 8.  

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Certainly, the altar reminds us of Christ.  “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, …  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:11-12 and 14. 

The laver, which provides water and washing, may also remind us of Christ.  “…  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. 

But, even the bronze reminds me of Christ.  Moses made a bronze serpent which points us to Christ.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard;  and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten (by a serpent), when he looks at it, he will live.”  And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard;  and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”  Numbers 21:8-9.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;  so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”  John 3:14-15.

More generally, bronze represents strength.

“Then I will make you to this people
A fortified wall of bronze;
And though they fight against you,
They will not prevail over you;
For I am with you to save you
And deliver you,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 15:20.

And, bronze was used to represent the strength of Christ.

“His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.  In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword;  and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.  And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid;  I am the first and the last, and the living One;  and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”  Revelation 1:15-17.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 36:8-36.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2036&version=NASB1995

I quote the following verses.

“8 All the skillful men among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains;  of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman, Bezalel made them.  …

35 Moreover, he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen;  he made it with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.  …”  Exodus 36:8 and 35.   

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What an honor for Bezalel to make the tabernacle of the LORD!

We see his work described as “the work of a skillful workman”.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it.  But each man must be careful how he builds on it.  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident;  for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”  1 Corinthians 3:10-13.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:11-13. 

“What then is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one;  but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers;  you are God’s field, God’s building.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-9.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:19-22.

We see the detailed description of the tabernacle of the LORD, “the work of a skillful workman”, that Bezalel made in today’s Scripture.   

What does the “holy temple in the Lord” look like, “the work of a skillful workman”, that we make?   

“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 36:1-7.

“Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”

Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.  They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary.  And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.  And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.”  So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.”  Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more.  For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.”  Exodus 36:1-7.

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We tend to be man-orientated, rather than God-orientated.  We tend to focus on what we should do rather than what God has done and what God will do.  

This is especially true about Scriptures which contain giving and service like today’s Scripture.

But, upon closer examination, what has God done?

In summary, we read verse 2:  “Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.”

God was the One Who gave skill to every skillful person.  God was the One Who stirred their heart so they were willing to perform the construction work.  And, we can infer that God was the One Who also stirred the hearts of the people, so they were so much willing to give to the extent that they later had to be restrained from giving more.

Likewise, consider the following Scripture which is often quoted by those who want to encourage giving.  Upon closer examination, what has God done?  What will God do?

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;  as it is written,

“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:7-11. 

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 35:20-29.

“Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from Moses’ presence.  Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.  Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold;  so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.  Every man, who had in his possession blue and purple and scarlet material and fine linen and goats’ hair and rams’ skins dyed red and porpoise skins, brought them.  Everyone who could make a contribution of silver and bronze brought the LORD’S contribution;  and every man who had in his possession acacia wood for any work of the service brought it.  All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen.  All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair.  The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breastpiece;  and the spice and the oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.  The Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the LORD had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a freewill offering to the LORD.”  Exodus 35:20-29.

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It is good to have your spirit move you to do good.

But, it is best to have the Holy Spirit, God Himself, move you to do good.

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

But, there is hope!

“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 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23. 

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.”  John 7:38.

The Holy Spirit causes the good works that God prepared for us to do to just keep bubbling up and overflowing to be a blessing to others.

Some of us teach or preach.  Some of us provide music.  Some of us give.  Some of us are prayer warriors.  Some of us open our homes and are hospitable.  Some of us feed the hungry.  Some of us feed the hungry.  Some of us take care of children.  Some of us take care of the elderly.

“but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;  but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  John 4:14.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.