devotional

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 104

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Day 104

Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.

Chapter 6, Paragraph 1.

“Although God created Man upright, and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof;...“

Scripture Lookup

Genesis 2:16,17

Reflection

“Meanwhile, back at the ranch…”

When we last saw Adam and Eve in the Confession, they had just been created by God. Owning a reasonable and immortal soul, having the Law of God written in their hearts, and able to fulfill His law, they were happy and holy. While they had the ability to change their will and transgress the instruction of not eating the fruit, they were blissfully with God and creation.

“We interrupt this program to discuss divine providence.”

Swerving to the next chapter, the Confession discussed the Providence of God. Wait! What was going to happen to Adam and Eve? Why talk about providence at this point? Because by discussing how God upholds and directs all creatures and things, how He uses (or not, as He pleases) various means to fulfill His purposes, how even the sinful actions of men are part of His determinate counsel, and how He takes care of His church in a special manner, the backdrop has been laid to understand what will happen next with our first parents.

“Tune in next time…”

For without an understanding of providence, it is easy to think that the actions of Adam and Eve took God by surprise. He had created them. He set them up in the Garden of Eden. He gave them a command which if obeyed sustained their life. They had the power to fulfill this command – why would it all go so horribly wrong? Yet God was governing all things according to His decree even then, and there in the Garden was disposing all things for the good of His church.

Questions to Consider

  • After reflecting on divine providence, does the account of Adam and Eve look different to you?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 103

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Day 103

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 7.

“As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.“

Scripture Lookup

1 Timothy 4:10

Amos 9:8,9

Isaiah 43:3-5

Reflection

God upholds, directs, disposes and governs all creatures and things. But in a special way He takes care of His church. The carrying out of all things is for the good of the church!

It is not a small thing to belong to the people of God. For since you are a member of the Church, all of Providence is being dispensed for your good! So when God works all things together for the good of those that love Him, that is the special care He takes with you. Whether it be a trial or a delight, both are blessings from Him.

Sometimes it does not seem like God is taking special care of His church. Strife and conflict within a local church, members who one day stop attending and vanish, and persecution from the world discourage and tempt us to doubt His word. Yet Jesus said, “…upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18) We must remember that He does keep His Church and not lose heart.

What a wonderful Providence of God, that takes care of those that are His in an unique manner, that all should be for our good. What a merciful and infinitely wise God, that gives us such treatment though we do not deserve it. What a powerful God, who orchestrates all that comes to pass and preserves His Church. Praise be to Him!

Questions to Consider

  • Is it easy or difficult for you to see the special manner in which God takes care of His church?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 102

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Day 102

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, under those means which God uses for the softening of others.“

Scripture Lookup

Exodus 8:15,32

Isaiah 6:9,10

1 Peter 2:7,8

Reflection

The wicked and ungodly do not have all things work for their good. God’s grace is withheld from them, so that they remain in unbelief. The common graces they enjoyed may be removed from them, and the way is paved for them to fulfill their evil desires. Freely choosing and delighting in such a life, the wicked harden their hearts. Amazingly, the same means that spur the ungodly further from God are used to soften the hearts of His children. What causes one to decay is the same thing that will cause one to grow. So which one is happening for you?

Sin should never be something that the Christian takes lightly. Yes, the penalty for our sin has been paid for by Jesus, and yes, it is grace that saves us. But, “are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be!” (Romans 6:1) While the believer still has the remaining corruption of sin in him, there shouldn’t be a pattern of ongoing willful sin in his life. Scarily, some are deceived into believing they are righteous when their lives show no evidence of struggling against sin.

When we consider how God sometimes gives over the wicked to their own lusts, we learn to see just how beautiful repentance is. For godly sorrow that leads to repentance is evidence that God has drawn us to Himself! He is increasing our dependence upon Him, and drawing us closer to the Being that has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness in and of Himself! What a gift!

May we then ever turn to Christ, and submit to His care all that befalls us.

He is ever doing you good; be you always abounding in His work. His providence stands by you in your greatest distresses and dangers; do not flinch from God when His service and you duty is compassed about with difficulties. O be active for that God who every moment is active for you.    -John Flavel

Questions to Consider

  • Are you heeding Scripture’s call to “harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3)?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 101

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Day 101

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan,…“

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 81:11,12

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Reflection

It is a fearful thing to consider how providence unfolds for the wicked and ungodly. God sometimes removes the restraints in their life that have kept them from further sin. Like shoppers waiting for the store doors to open on Black Friday, as soon as there is an opening for sin the ungodly rush in to take advantage of it.

Free from God’s restraints, the wicked are given over to their desires. The flesh, the world, and the devil consume them, and the wicked freely choose it. The lusts of the flesh are not a struggle for them. The world, and all the sinful opportunities it contains, encourages licentiousness. “Just do it!” “Embrace your passion!” There is no call for self-restraint, and the ungodly embraces such abandon. Allegiance to Satan is demonstrated proudly.

What makes this even more tragic, though, is that they freely choose this life of sin and misery. They have no desire for the truth. In fact, they believe that As 2 Thessalonians 2:11 shows, they believe what is false, “in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”

God may lessen His restraint on the wicked, but those in Christ He conforms to the image of His Son: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13) While the ungodly fall prey to their own lusts, let us look to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, and ask Him for help in laying aside the sin which so easily entangles us.

Questions to Consider

  • Knowing how God leaves the ungodly to their own lusts, are you turning to Him for aid in combating your own?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 100

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Day 100

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;…“

Scripture Lookup

Deuteronomy 2:30

2 Kings 8:12,13

Reflection

Normally I don’t have much trouble understanding what is meant in the Confession, but this time I admit the language made me pause. What does this phrase mean? God sometimes exposes the wicked and ungodly to things that, as wicked and ungodly people, they use to sin.

Now God does not tempt the wicked. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” (James 1:13) But He does decree events that enable the wicked to further condemn themselves. They are no longer checked by circumstances that would restrain them, so when opportunity to sin appears, they take it.

The immensity of providence, the fine-tuning of every detail for God’s purposes, is awesome and fearful. Even with those who rebel against Him, He is fully in control. Praise Him for His infinite wisdom and justice!

Questions to Consider

  • How do you respond to God’s providence concerning the wicked?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 99

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Day 99

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…But sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had,…“

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 13:12

Reflection

Wildly prosperous and successful seem to be the wicked’s lot. There are conniving, selfish people out there who lie, cheat, and steal without batting an eye, and their material goods keep growing. Psalm 73 talks about this apparent contradiction to God’s word. Believers struggle; many ungodly do not. What gives?

This flourishing of the unbeliever is not universal, however. Sometimes God chooses to remove some of the common graces He bestowed upon them. Swindlers can lose their wealth to a more devious swindler. Illness and disease strike the ungodly. Arrests and jail time do occur to some lawbreakers.

When tempted to envy the wicked their supposed life of ease and comfort, let us remember that not all ungodly live such glamorous lives. Let us also remember that their end is destruction. How comfortable can such a life be that does not have communion with God?

My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Psalm 73: 26-28

Questions to Consider

  • Can you think of examples of God withdrawing the gifts of the wicked?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 98

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Day 98

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts;…“

Scripture Lookup

Deuteronomy 29:4

Reflection

When talking to others about Christ, have you ever been frustrated that some people just don’t get it? That what is so clear to us, is nothing but confusion to them? Ever get astonished at the hatred some express towards God?

Since our eyes have been opened to the beauty of the Gospel, we sometimes think that everyone should naturally be able to see how wonderful God is. Or we think that if we just said the right words, created the right atmosphere, gave the ideal sales pitch, then an unbeliever could be persuaded to become a Christian. We forget that it is only the work of the Holy Spirit that can enable an unbeliever to see the truths of the Gospel. He withholds his grace from those who are not His elect. Because there is no grace, they do not believe in Christ. Because there is no grace, their heart remains hardened. There is nothing we can do to make anyone a Christian.

Knowing that God withholds His grace from those who are not His should not cause us to slack in proclaiming the good news though! God knows who are not elect; we do not. Your witness may be the means of bringing a change of heart in an unbeliever! May that hope encourage you to be bold in evangelizing. But may the reality that not all will be His keep you dependent on Him for your efforts.

Questions to Consider

  • Have you ever thought that someone would be saved if you just tried harder?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 97

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Day 97

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous judge, for former sin does blind and harden;…“

Scripture Lookup

Romans 1;24-26,28, 11:7,8

Reflection

“All things work together for good.” That’s one of those verses that people throw around even if they have no desire to follow Christ. They are comforted by the words, oblivious to what the verse actually says: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, italics added). We saw in Day 96 how God does use all events for the good of His saints. But can all things work together for good to those who do NOT love God?

It is a frightening truth that those who persist in sin might not come to repentance and faith. Continue in your rebellion, and God may leave you in your rebellion. Hardly a statement that sells and appeals, but one that Scripture declares. We are fallen creatures, and the wicked and ungodly will dive even deeper into their depravity. God blinds them to the Gospel, and He hardens their heart. “…and men loved darkness better than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

The Gospel call resounds: repent and believe. Yet we know that not all will heed it. For those who see fit to refuse God, all things do not work for their good. God is a righteous judge, and He has decreed it. This is tragic to realize, but it is just. “And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:2)

Questions to Consider

  • Do you struggle with the idea that God blinds and hardens some people?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 96

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Day 96

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 5.

“So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, and their good.“

Scripture Lookup

Romans 8:28

Reflection

Believing God works everything for good for those that love Him is easy to do when life is good. Because of course God appoints everything that happens, of course it is all for His glory, of course these events are for our good. When things are going well we’re not going to think otherwise. Nice income? It’s for His glory! Having awesome friends? It’s for my good! Fit and in good health? He appointed it, and we are blessed!

Remove the life of ease, though, and it gets harder to acknowledge that this is by God’s appointment, for His glory and our good. We lose our job and have difficulty finding another one. Does living in poverty bring glory to God? Find yourself ignored, left out, and alone. Is that loneliness truly for your good? Miserable sickness overtakes you. God appointed this? Are we blessed even when such things happen?

It is telling that this phrase, “by his appointment, for his glory and their good” comes after the sentence explaining how God leaves his elect in seasons of temptation. For it is exactly in those seasons when we are most tempted to reject this truth. For it hurts when we are going through trials. It is exhausting to struggle with sin. It stings when circumstances are not how we would like. Pain is present during these times, whether emotional, physical, or both, and it blurs the clarity of of belief we had before.

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” -Job 13:15

During such hard times, it is vital to cling to what we know of God. Despite what we may see, despite what we may feel, this is the truth we must stand on: He has appointed it. He will be glorified through it. He has decreed it for our benefit. Because of this, we are blessed. Do not run from God in your despair. Fly to Him, draw closer to Him, and see Him work for your good and His glory.

Questions to Consider

  • Do you see how God has appointed all events in your life for His glory and your good?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 95

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Day 95

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 5.

“The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own heart, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close, and constant dependence for their support, upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends. “

Scripture Lookup

2 Chronicles 32:25,26,31

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Reflection

There are times when God allows various temptations to cross our path. We struggle with sin and we fall, time and time again. Frustrated and ashamed, we wonder “Why aren’t things changing?”

There are a couple reasons that the Confession lists. One is that God is chastising us for our former sins. “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6). While unpleasant, we know that it is just. Another reason He leaves us to manifold temptations to discover the hidden strength of the corruption of our hearts. How often do we justify our motives for sin? “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Out of such difficult seasons, though, comes blessing. For through them we are humbled, and we grow closer and more dependent on God. John Flavel wrote, “And surely a man is never nearer the mercy he desires, or the deliverance he expects…as when his soul is brought into a submissive attitude.” Since we know God is most wise, we can trust Him to determine what is best for us. Since we know He is most righteous, we can run to Him for forgiveness, and He will cleanse us. Since we know He is most gracious, we can seek His aid in mortifying the flesh. To have such a deeper communion with God is a wonderful gift for us who do not deserve it.

Questions to Consider

  • Do you see the providence of God in your struggle with sin?