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A Little Time With The 1689: Day 42

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Day 42

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all Being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 11:34-36.

Reflection

This phrase of Chapter 2 is quite the lesson in prepositions, isn’t it?

(preposition: a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, as in “the man on the platform,” “she arrived after dinner,” “what did you do it for?” -Oxford Dictionaries)

“…manifesting his own glory in them…” God’s glory is manifested in his creatures. All people are created in God’s image, and that image is glorious. The fact that you breathe is a result of the glory of God manifesting itself in you.

“…manifesting his own glory by them…” God’s glory is manifested by his creatures.  We, along with the rest of creation, demonstrate His handiwork. Your life displays the glory of God.

“…manifesting his own glory unto them…” God’s glory is manifested to his creatures. The sun rises and sets another day. We see the glory of God displayed all around us.

“…manifesting his own glory upon them…” God’s glory is manifested upon his creatures. All creation benefits from the wonders of his glory. As Christians, we are keenly aware of God’s glory upon us. When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, Christ died for us. God has showered his glory upon us by making us alive in Christ, changing our hearts from a a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and conforming us to the image of his Son.

Questions to Consider

  • Where do you see God’s glory in your life today?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 41

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Day 41

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…blessedness, in and of himself: is alone in, and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any Creature he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them,…”

Scripture Lookup

Job 22:2,3.

Reflection

I admit, I like to feel needed. It makes me feel important. If my advice is sought after and followed, if I am missed at a gathering, if no one else can get the job done but me…I think you get the picture. The desire to “have it all” is a powerful one, and it is a desire that has been around since Eve first listened to the serpent: “You will be like God.”

But God doesn’t need me. And He doesn’t need you, either. And when you think about it, would you really want Him to be a God that needed us? Who would really have the power in that relationship?

God truly has it all. God does not need to prove anything to anyone, He is not lacking in any good thing, and He contains everything He needs within Himself. There is no haughtiness in that truth, no pretentiousness in that truth, no insecurity in that truth. When we see God for who He truly is, and how tiny and insignificant we are compared to His glory and majesty, we realize any quest for self-importance is foolish.

So no, I am not needed. I am not that important. But because I am in Christ, I am delighted in, I am loved, and I am able to have communion with the most awesome and wonderful being that has always existed. If you are in Christ, the same is true for you. Rest in His splendor, and stop struggling to promote yourself.

what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?  -Psalm 8:4 (ESV)

Questions to Consider

  • Are you struggling with feeling needed? Is your desire to feel important keeping you from resting in God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 40

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Day 40

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…goodness,…”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 119:68.

Reflection

“God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.”

You may have heard that saying before. Although trite, it does have truth to it. God has all goodness in and of himself. And since He is infinite and eternal, He is good all the time. That goodness does not change. That can only be said about Him. Just as we cannot give God more or less glory than He already has, we cannot make God more or less good.

There is only One who is good… -Matthew 19:17

Every good thing on this earth is from God. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” -James 1:17 (NASB). When God created the world, He saw that it was good. But why was it good? Because God bestowed His goodness upon it. Not only that, he continues to bestow goodness upon creation. Not only is He faithful in providing, He is good in His provision. The rain falls, the plants grow, and we are sustained.

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!    -Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

All goodness we have as Christians is also derived from God. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, not of the Self! May we not forget that! So praise God for His goodness, and for His goodness  towards us!

God is the highest goodness, because He doth not act for his own profit, but for his creatures’ welfare, and the manifestation of his own goodness. -Stephen Charnock

Questions to Consider

  • How can you see God’s goodness in your life?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 39

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Day 39

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“…glory,…”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 148:13.

Reflection

When we as Christians bring God glory, where does that glory come from? Have we somehow created it to give to God? How can you give more glory to God?

We cannot give God more glory than He already possesses. We cannot take away more glory than He already possesses. He has all glory in and of Himself.

I am the LORD, that is My name,

I will not give My glory to another…               -Isaiah 42:8

Why is it important to know that God has all glory in and of Himself? It reminds us that there is nothing special about us apart from Him. We repeat “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be the Glory), and we may earnestly desire to see Him glorified, but there is still the battle to bring some glory to self. We have worked hard. We used our talents. We have done what was needed to bring about the outcome. How often do we fall back on our supposed merits for any accomplishment, and merely give lip service to God and his glory?

If God chose to glorify Himself through taking away everything you possessed and everything you loved, would you be content with that? Would you still give God the glory? For despite the health and wealth teaching that plagues our day and age, God does not always give material blessings to his faithful. Look at Job. God’s glory is in and of Himself, and we are to give Him glory no matter our circumstances.

Lord, help us to die to self. May You have all the glory.

Questions to Consider

  • Have you been giving lip service to God’s glory?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 38

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Day 38

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.

“God, having all life,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 5:26.

Reflection

What does it mean that God has all life in and of himself?

God exists. He has always existed, and therefore has always lived. There is nothing that can be done to change that. Men may dismiss God as an idea, a construct that can be dismantled, but the Bible declares otherwise. Remember the name of God given to Moses? The great “I AM” cannot be thwarted or blotted out! It is absurdity to think so, as the psalm correctly states “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” (Psalm 14:1)

God is the source of life, and is not dependent on anything for life. John  Calvin states: ”

God is said to have life in himself, not only because he alone lives by his own inherent power, but because, containing in himself the fullness of life, he communicates life to all things. And this, indeed, belongs peculiarly to God, as it is said, With thee is the fountain of life, (Psalms 36:9.)

This is the God who breathed life into Adam and formed Eve. This is the God who declares in Deuteronomy 32:39,  “It is I who put to death and give life.” This is the God in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). This is the God who gives eternal life to repentant sinners: “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:4) God can give life abundantly because He has all life in and of himself, an inexhaustible supply.

“I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” -John 10:10

Let us run to Him, stopping our ears to the call of the world like Pilgrim in Pilgrim’s Progress and run toward Him who has all life: “Life! Life! Eternal life!”

Questions to Consider

  • Do you ever act like life depends upon you, rather than God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 37

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Day 37

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…and who will by no means clear the guilty.”

Scripture Lookup

Exodus 34:7.

Nahum 1:2,3.

Reflection

Have you ever gotten away with something? Perhaps growing up, you did something you knew you weren’t supposed to, but you never got caught. Perhaps you pressed against the boundaries of a rule just hard enough that although you should have gotten in trouble, your parents just let it go. Perhaps you were good at covering your tracks, or deflecting suspicion, or talking your way out of a situation. Each time you thought you got away with it.

But the reality is no, you have never gotten away with anything. There is an all-knowing, all-powerful  God who has been present every time you sinned. He knows you better than you know yourself, and has seen every thought, every action, every transgression against His law that you have done, may even be doing now, and will do. Nothing can be hid from God, and sin is no exception.

Sin is ultimately an act of rebellion against God. Since God rules over the universe that He created, and He cannot stand the presence of sin, it is fitting that sinners will be punished. In fact, since God is holy, sinners must be punished.

It is hard to comprehend eternal torment, and it is so much easier to ignore that unpleasant reality. But sticking our heads in the sand will not keep us nor the ones we love from experiencing punishment. Only by turning to God for the remedy provided through Christ will we escape the effects of His wrath.

As the detestation of sin results from the universal rectitude of his nature, so the punishment of sin follows upon that, as he is the righteous Governor of the world: it is as much against his nature not to punish it, as it is against his nature not to loathe it; he would cease to be holy if he ceased to hate it, and he would cease to hate it if he ceased to punish it. – Stephen Charnock

Question to Consider

  • How does the knowledge that God will punish the guilty affect your relationship with Jesus?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 36

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Day 36

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…hating all sin,…”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 5:5,6.

Reflection

One summer, several years ago, the church my family attended held a Vacation Bible School. Along with other songs about God, the children sang a rendition of Proverbs 6:16-19:

There are six things – even seven, that the Lord hates – things He cannot stand!
Proud looking eyes
A lying tongue
Hands that shed innocent blood
A heart that thinks of wicked things to do
And feet that run to evil, too
Anyone who loves to lie about others
And the one who causes trouble with his brothers  -Judy Rogers, “Seven Awful Things”

Our neighbor, a nominal Roman Catholic, often let her children come and be part of each year’s VBS. When she picked up her kids after this presentation, she pulled me aside. “I have to tell you, I really don’t like that song. God doesn’t hate anybody!”

“God doesn’t hate anybody.” In today’s society, to suggest that God hates anything, much less anyone, is considered dangerous. Tolerance and open-mindedness towards nearly any type of thought and action is promoted, and conventional wisdom states God is loving and only condemns those really bad people like Hitler. However, His Word says otherwise. Psalm 5 states, “You hate all who do iniquity.” What are we to make of this?

What does it mean for God to hate sin? It means that God abhors it, since it is absolutely contrary to His nature and His will. God is holy. As such, He cannot be in the presence of sin. He hates it. That hatred is just, because God is most just. God is infinite. His hatred towards sin is infinite. It never stops or relents. God is impartial toward sin: each and every transgression is despised.

If he did not hate [sin], he would hate himself: for since righteousness is his image, and sin would deface his image; if he did not love his image, and loathe what is against his image, he would loathe himself, he would be an enemy to his own nature. – Stephen Charnock

As Christians, we know that God is “abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin”, as the Confession states. We should delight in that! Yet let’s not downplay how horrid and detestable sin is, and urgently press the need for sinners to be reconciled to Him.

Question to Consider

  • Do you ever find yourself downplaying God’s hatred toward sin?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 35

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Day 35

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…and withall most just, and terrible in his judgments…”

Scripture Lookup

Nehemiah 9:32, 33.

Reflection

At first glance, learning that God is terrible in His judgements seems harsh. The notion of a stern, vindictive overseer who doesn’t understand our condition is thought of by many who view His law as stringent and His punishments as severe. Some recoil and want to crawl back to the loving, merciful God they envision, the one who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Both are incorrect views of God, and neither are to be desired. To ignore sin would cause God to not be good. And therefore His love and mercy would not be good, either.

God is never harsh. To be harsh implies that He goes beyond what is necessary in His judgments. Rather, He is most just. As such, He will never let sin off the hook. It must be punished. And sin is so repugnant to God that it requires a terrible punishment. Yet that punishment is ultimately fitting; no more than required, no less than required.

Often in our history people have been allowed to get around the law of the land, whether due to position or popularity. (Certain politicians immediately come to mind.) Yet there is no partiality with God. Every transgression is dealt with. And that is just as awesome and wonderful as His love and mercy.

Ascribe greatness to our God!

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 32:3,4 (NASB)

Questions to Consider

  • Does the fact that God is most just comfort you? Why or why not?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 34

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Day 34

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek him,…”

Scripture Lookup

Exodus 34:6,7.

Hebrews 11:6.

Reflection

The way people drive gets on my nerves. “They should know better! What does he think he’s doing? I’m not a mind reader!” may or may not be heard when I’m behind the wheel, but it is what I think when on the road. I admit it: I get impatient with other people. I know I’m not alone in struggling with impatience. Ever wait in a long line at the grocery store? Or have a dawdling child? How about that annoying habit of your husband?

But God is long suffering. There is no impatience with a being outside of time and space. This patience is an attribute of a God who is also loving, gracious and merciful. Sometimes patience can be viewed as a weakness, like the kid who is pushed around by bullies and doesn’t stand up for himself. Yet God has no limits to His power, and this includes the power to restrain His wrath. Every sinful offense does not escape His notice, and He hates sin, yet still He is able and willing to forgive. This is a patience filled with strength.

Keeping this in mind, we should strive to be patient ourselves. This means checking my thoughts the next time I’m cut off on the highway. It means being ready to forgive others, and overlooking non-sinful offenses.  Not easy to do. In fact, it’s impossible on our own, so let’s ask our gracious God for the strength and ability only He can provide.

…to be patient is to be divine, and to show ourselves acquainted with the disposition of God. -Stephen Charnock

Questions to Consider

  • What causes you to lose your patience?
  • Are you trying to be patient in your own strength?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 33

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Day 33

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…for his own glory,…”

Scripture Lookup

Proverbs 16:4.

Romans 11:36.

Reflection

“Who made you?”

“God.”

“What else did God make?”

“All things.”

“Why did God make you and all things?”

“FOR HIS OWN GLORY!”

When going through the Children’s Catechism with my brood, this answer is always greatly emphasized. (Sometimes it’s even shouted.) But why shouldn’t it be shouted? Think about what the Confession has said so far about who God is, and the more you reflect upon it, praise should erupt!

God has created and ordered all things according to His will, which is unchangeable and righteous. If God were any less than He is, than it would seem selfish to work all things for His glory. But He is the best, most extraordinary, perfectly good God. There is none like Him. He created all things. Because of Him all things live and move and have their being. All things owe their allegiance to Him. Therefore, He shall have the glory forever. And justly so.

You are created for His glory. Do not lose sight of that!

To do all to the glory of God is to make a virtue of necessity; for all shall in the end be to him, whether we will or no. -Matthew Henry

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. -Psalm 86:2

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:6

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:20

Questions to Consider

  • How does knowing that God works all things for His own glory affect you? Does it change how you’re thinking? Does it change any of your actions?