1689

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?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 32

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Day 32

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable, and most righteous will,…”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 115:3.

Isaiah 46:10.

Reflection

Since God is “every way infinite”, it makes sense that He would be “most” holy, wise, free and absolute. His wisdom is essential to his being. He is unlimited and unconstrained. So having infinite wisdom and an unbridled power, He is never hindered in carrying out His will. And that will is ALWAYS good, and that will DOES NOT CHANGE.

Wisdom is the splendor and lustre of knowledge shining forth in operations, and is an act both of understanding and of will; understanding in counselling and contriving, will in resolving and executing: counsel and will are linked together. -Stephen Charnock

How often do we think otherwise, though? When we go through frustrating and difficult seasons of life, we are tempted to disavow these aspects of God’s nature. “God must not know what’s best for me”; “God must not be in control”; “God is not fair.” Or we think that somehow we can manipulate God into giving us the outcome we want. In those times we forget just which God we are dealing with! This is why it is imperative to keep reminding ourselves of who God is, so when those times come we can resist the temptation to mistrust Him.

Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! -Romans 11:33

Questions to Consider

  • Do you admit that God is most wise?
  • Are you willing to submit to His will, and trust that it is righteous?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 31

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Day 31

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…every way infinite, most holy…”

Scripture Lookup

Isaiah 6:3.

Reflection

God is absolutely holy.

What does that mean?

Thomas Vincent describes it this way:

The holiness of God is his essential property, whereby he is infinitely pure; loves and delights in his own purity, and in all the resemblances of it which any of his creatures have; and is perfectly free from all impurity, and hates it wherever he sees it.

That is both terrifying and awesome.

That God is absolutely holy is terrifying because this holiness sets Him apart from any other being. Terrifying because God is so holy that sinful beings cannot approach Him. If you attempt to come to God on your own terms, by your own strength, you will fail to know Him, because you cannot last in God’s presence with the stench of your sin still clinging to you. “I’m not that bad,” you may think. But any sin is an affront to God. What does darkness have to do with light? (2 Corinthians 6:14) “God is a perfectionist!” might be your next cry. Yes. Yes, He is. And He is perfectly good and just to set the standard of holiness, since He is most holy. How can we even begin to approach Him?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ… -Ephesians 2: 4,5

That God is absolutely holy is awesome because this holiness is essential to God. There is no blemish upon His holiness whatsoever. Have you ever been outside after it has snowed, and the sun shines so that everything is blindingly white? Or have you seen polished metal that gleams? And yet those elements of snow and metal still have impurities in them. God is so holy that the seraphim have to cover their eyes. And yet He provides a mediator in Jesus Christ. He sends His Spirit to dwell in those who trust Christ, conforming us to the image of His Son, and He delights in that!

Question to Consider

  • Have you ever praised God for His holiness?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 30

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Day 30

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Chapter 2, Paragraph 1.

“…incomprehensible, almighty…”

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 17:1.

Reflection

God is incomprehensible. We can’t fully understand Him. So there is no point in learning about Him, we should close up shop and head home. Right?

If you’re still reading this blog, you know the answer is no.

How do we learn about God in the first place? If we think back to Chapter 1 of the Confession, we have our answer. God reveals himself to us through His word. It is He that opens our eyes to the glorious truths about himself.The Holy Spirit works to guide us into all truth (John 16:13), and that includes learning about Himself.

While we are finite and cannot grasp fully all that an infinite God is, we know that He is able to do all His holy will. He is almighty, with no limitations to His power! “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”(Jeremiah 23:27)

So do not fear to dive into studying God, because you will never reach the bottom of the well of knowledge concerning Him. Do not fear that you cannot understand Him; He is incomprehensible, but He will enlighten you concerning Him. Do not think that you are not intelligent enough to learn about Him, for He is the Almighty, and what He has said, He is able to do and will do.

Question to Consider

  • Have you ever thanked God for revealing Himself to you?