10/12- Psalm 132:10-18; Holding onto the Promises

(King David)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.


10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one. 11 The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. 12 If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever." 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, 14 "This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. 15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy. 17 "Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a resplendent crown." (Psalm 132:10-18)

Calvin abridged: The prayer means that God in remembrance of his promise would show favor to the posterity of David. David was the foundation of this favor. The prayer was made ‘for David’s sake” because the covenant was made in his name. This was a prayer for the Church, and the Church is taught here that Christ (as Mediator) makes intercession for all his people. 11- “The Lord swore to David”- God makes a promise here in truth and does not go back from his word. What was promised was a successor to David from his own seed; This arrangement affected the good of the whole Church, and not David’s good alone. He people were encouraged by this sacred stability of the kingdom. A distinction is drawn between this heavenly ordained kingdom and worldly kingdoms that are obtained in pride and often violence. God promised (vs. 12) that he would have a descendant on the throne not for one age, but forever. The enforcing of this covenant did not depend solely on their good conduct. For the promise was given out of grace, and God sent his Son despite their disobedience. Paul says, “What is some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” (Rom. 3:3,4). The covenant itself was not conditional. But an accessory was added to the covenant, that God would bless them if they obeyed his commandments. When the Jews were forced into exile, it appeared the covenant lost effect, but this was an illusion. But the covenant was not fulfilled fully when Zerubbabel came back, or when other kings assumed the throne, but when Christ came. Ezekiel indicates this (21:26): “26 this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.” The people were taken into exile to show that while the covenant was eternal and inviolable, in that it held the promise of the Redeemer, yet the conduct of the Jews excluded them temporarily from the divine favor. The obedience, demanded by God, is part of the covenant, to teach us that we must not serve him by our own human standards and ideas, but we must confine ourselves to the prescription of his word.

Thought: The covenant of David symbolizes the way God works with us. The promise was always true, though at times it seems broken. The covenant and promise of God (for David to always have a king on the throne) was always in effect though many thought it was broken when their kingdom was taken away by the Babylonians (and later by the Romans). Many thought the line was clearly broken. But this promise also interacted with another promise that if the people of God reject God and do evil, God will punish them (or us) (Deuteronomy 28:22,25,26,32, especially 36, 49-57; 2 Chronicles 36:15-19). Teh promises work together not exclusive of each other. It seemed that there was no hope for the promise to be fulfilled, but God also promised to bring them back to the land- and He did. Christ who was of the line of David came and perfected the promise. We are also promised heaven if we believe. But on this earth, there are times it appears that the promise of heaven is too far off and the pains of earth seem to be greater than any future glory we may have. But we should never give up hope in the promises of God. Jesus our Redeemer, and the resurrected One, is a deposit guaranteeing our hope.

Prayer: Your promises, are true, O Lord. Help me to believe in them today even though the way seems bleak at the moment.

10-11 Staying in church

(St. Pierre from outside- where Calvn preached)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

10-11-09

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.' (Rev. 2:24,25); 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 Those who are victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out their names from the book of life, but will acknowledge their names before my Father and his angels. (Rev. 3:4,5);


Calvin: I shall start, then, with the church, into whose bosom God is pleased to gather his children, not only that they may be nourished by her help and ministry as long as they are infants and children, but also that they may be guided by her motherly care until they mature and at last reach the goal of faith. “For what God has joined together, it is not lawful to put asunder” [Mark 10:9 p.], so that, for those to whom he is Father the church may also be Mother. And this was so not only under the law but also after Christ’s coming, as Paul testifies when he teaches that we are the children of the new and heavenly Jerusalem [Galatians 4:26]. (IV.1.1)

Thought: Why church? Barbara Brown Taylor wrote about “Leaving Church” and that is what many have chosen to do in our society today. The Presbyterians have gone from 6.2 to 2.1 (Maybe 2.5 if you add in the conservative denominations that broke off). The Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans all have experienced similar losses. Today even the Baptists and non-denominational folks are feeling the pinch. There is a feeling that church is not “right” for us anymore. But there is always a tension between on the one hand human pride that judges the church and doesn’t want to put up with others, the sinfulness of the church, and on the other hand the command to be a part of the Church and the true blessing of the Church. For Calvin, the Church is not just visible- not just the walls and steeples, or the denominations and institutions. But it is also frail human beings who believe, and seek to rub up against each other. Often we rub each other the wrong way- irritating one another. Yet, the church is a way to grow in human love. It is hard to love our brothers and sisters in Christ without being a part of the church. I have known some who have left church and have formed a group to just help others in service. But that group becomes the church to them. I have known some who have left denominations to make a better church, but soon those churches grow and form other churches and a denomination and new institution is formed. My point is that real Christians who want to serve Christ have a hard time getting away from church. Just as if you are serious about football, it is hard to not watch it or play it with others, so it is hard to not be followers of Christ with others. So, why not do what Paul says and seek not to divide or leave the church? Why not do what the book of Revelation says and “Hold on and stay”? The Spirit did not say to those who were in a church a vast immorality and bad doctrine to split. Some say that Calvin was in favor of church splits for purer doctrine, but that is not the case. Calvin was in favor of reforming the church, but was forced out after his sermon with Nicolas Cop and various edicts by the king of France. Calvin, throughout his life tried to unite the fledgling Protestant churches. He was somewhat successful with the Czeck (Hussite), Hungarian, Zwinglian churches, but not with the Lutheran churches. There is no way to have a perfect church, Calvinism reminds us of our own imperfections in practice as well as doctrine.


Prayer: Help us, Lord to adhere to your Church. Give us grace to be faithful in a faithless age; loyal in an age of rebellion.

10-10 Psalm 89:19-37 David and the Haters

[David the Shepherd boy]
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

19. Then thou spakest in vision to thy meek ones. The Psalmist now
declares at greater length why he said that the king, set over the chosen
people for the preservation of the public good, was given them from
heaven; namely, because he was not chosen by the suffrages of men, nor
usurped at his own hand the supreme power, nor insinuated himself into it
by corrupt arts, but was elected by God to be the instrument of
maintaining the public good, and performed the duties of his office under
the auspices and conduct of God. The design of the prophet, as we shall
shortly see more clearly, is to distinguish this Divinely-appointed king
from all other kings. Although what Paul teaches in <451301>Romans 13:1, is
true, “There is no power but of God;” yet there was a great difference
between David and all earthly kings who have acquired sovereign power
by worldly means. God had delivered the scepter to his servant David
immediately with his own hand, so to speak, and had seated him on the
royal throne by his own authority. The particle za, az, which properly
signifies then, is taken also for long since, or in old time. The meaning,
therefore, is, that whereas some are born kings, succeeding their fathers by
right of inheritance, and some are elevated to the royal dignity by election,
while others acquire it for themselves by violence and force of arms, God
was the founder of this kingdom, having chosen David to the throne by his
own voice. Farther, although he revealed his purpose to Samuel, yet as the
plural number is here used, implying, that the same oracle had been
delivered to others, we may certainly conclude that it had been
communicated to other prophets that they might be able, with one
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consent, to bear testimony that David was created king by the Divine
appointment. And, indeed, as other distinguished and celebrated prophets
lived at that time, it is not very probable that a matter of so great
importance was concealed from them. But Samuel alone is named in this
business, because he was the publisher of the Divine oracle and the
minister of the royal anointing. As God in those days spake to his
prophets either by dreams or by visions, this last mode of revelation is
here mentioned.
There next follows the substance or amount of the Divine oracle, That
God had furnished with help the strong or mighty one whom he had
chosen to be the supreme head and governor of the kingdom. David is
called strong, not because naturally and in himself he excelled in strength,
(for, as is well known, he was of small stature, and despised among his
brethren, so that even Samuel passed him over with neglects) but because
God, after having chosen him, endued him with new strength, and other
distinguished qualities suitable for a king; even as in a parallel case, when
Christ chose his apostles, he not only honored them with the title, but at
the same time bestowed the gifts which were necessary for executing their
office. And at the present day he imparts to his ministers the same grace
of his Spirit. The strength of David, then, of which mention is here made,
was the effect of his election; for God, in creating him king, furnished him
at the same time with strength adequate for the preservation of the people.
This appears still more distinctly from the second clause, where this
invincible strength is traced to its source: I have exalted one chosen from
among the people. All the words are emphatic. When God declares that he
exalted him, it is to intimate the low and mean condition in which David
lived, unknown and obscure, before God stretched out his hand to him. To
the same effect is the expression which follows, from among the people.
The meaning is, that he was at that time unnoted, and belonged to the
lowest class of the people, and gave no indications of superior excellence,
being the least esteemed of his father’s children, in whose country cottage
he held the humble office of a herdsman. fc541 By the word chosen, God
calls us back to the consideration of his own free will, as if he forbade us
to seek for any other cause of David’s exaltation than his own good
pleasure.
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20. I have found David my servant. The prophet confirms the same
proposition, That there was nothing of royalty in David, who owed all to
the sovereignty of God in preventing him by his grace. Such is the import
of the word found, as if God had said, When I took him to elevate him, this
proceeded entirely from my free goodness. The name servant, therefore,
does not denote any merit, but is to be referred to the divine call. It is as if
God had said, that he confirmed and ratified by his authority the sovereign
power of David; and if He approved it, its legitimacy is placed beyond all
doubt. The second clause of the verse affords an additional confirmation of
God’s free election: With my holy oil have I anointed him. This anointing,
which was not the fruit of David’s own policy, but which he obtained
contrary to all expectation, was the cause of his elevation to the estate of
royalty. God then having of himself, and according to his mere good
pleasure, anticipated David, that he might anoint him king by the hand of
Samuel, he justly declares that he found him. It is afterwards added, that he
will be the guardian and protector of this kingdom of which he was the
founder; for it is not his usual way to abandon his works after having
commenced them, but, on the contrary, to carry them forward by a
continued process of improvement to their completion.
22. The enemy shall not exact upon him. fc542 Here it is declared in express
terms, that although David may not be without enemies, the power of God
will be always ready to maintain and defend him, that he may not be
oppressed with unrighteous violence. It is accordingly affirmed, that David
will not be tributary to his enemies, as he who is vanquished in battle is
constrained to grant such conditions of peace as his conqueror may dictate,
however injurious to himself these may be. When his enemies are called
sons of iniquity, it is tacitly intimated, that this government will be so
exempt from tyranny and extortion, that whoever shall attempt to
overthrow it will be involved in the perpetration of wrong and wickedness.
The amount is, that David and his successors will be so secure and
strongly fortified by the divine protection, that it will be impossible for
their enemies to treat them as they would wish. In regard to the fact, that
God suffered this kingdom to be greatly afflicted, so that David’s
successors were constrained to pay a vast amount of tribute to foreign and
heathen kings, it is not at variance with this promise; for, although the
power of the kingdom was reduced, it was enough that the root still
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remained, until Christ came, in whose hand the kingdom was at length
firmly established. As both the king and the people wickedly rejected this
singular blessing of God, the kingdom was often shaken through their own
default, afterwards impaired, and finally ruined. Yet God, to confirm his
oracle concerning the perpetuity of this kingdom, ceased not all along to
cherish and preserve some hope, by contending against their ingratitude.
Besides, when mention is made of David’s haters and oppressors, it is
intimated, that this throne will not be privileged with exemption from
annoyances and troubles, inasmuch as there will be always some who will
rise up in hostility against it, unless God set himself in opposition to
them.

10/9- Psalm 89:1-4 Believing the promise in tough times

(destruction of Jerusalem and temple)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

10/9- Psalm 89:1-4

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'"

Calvin abridged: The Psalmist opens with praising God remembering the Divine covenant, to encourage the faithful to strengthen their faith against the powerful assaults of temptation. When we try to pray and some despairing thought comes up, we must resolve to break through it, lest our hearts fail. He sings amidst adversities so that he doesn’t give up on God’s lovingkindness towards his people. A person won’t praise God unless he is fully persuaded that God, even when he is angry, never lays aside his fatherly affection towards them. 3- “I have made a covenant..with David”- God gives to David two titles of distinction- “his chosen” and “his servant.” David is called “the chosen of God” because God of his own good pleasure, preferred him to Saul descendants and to his own brothers. The origin of the covenant is thus found in divine election. He is called “God’s servant” because of his royal dignity, having been given this office from God. The writer of the psalm applies this covenant to his own use and that of the people. God didn’t just enter this covenant for David alone, but also for the whole Church that would exist from one generation to another. “I will establish they throne forever” is partly to be understood of Solomon and partly to David’s successors. But the prophet knew that the eternal nature of the covenant could only be fulfilled in the eternal Christ. God conferred the sovereign power upon David and his descendants, that they might rule for the common good of all the rest, until the throne might truly be established by the advent of Christ.

Thoughts: The Psalmist was writing out of sadness. Verses 38-45 of Psalm 89 point out that they were in a period of rejection when the walls were broken down. The writer was resolutely reminding himself of God’s covenant promise even if it appeared that the promise was broken. There are times in our lives when we think there is no hope. There are times when we feel as if God has forsaken us because the world falls apart around us in part because of unfaithfulness. David’s descendants had forsaken God, his Sabbaths, and his holiness to go their own way. The punishment of exile was to punish them for forsaking Him (2 Chronicles 36:16-19; Jer. 44:3). Yet there was still hope of restoration (Jer. 33; Isa. 7,9, 40), and even protection of the faithful (like Jeremiah) in the midst of the catastrophe. Even when all around fall away, God still remembers his promises and love. In our day of recession, of despair, loss of faith, and loss of hope, we still should call to mind God’s promises, our hope, and that David’s son is still on the throne.

Prayer: Lord, your promises are faithful and true. Restore us again to you. Strengthen our faith even in times of sorrow.

10/8 Exodus 2:1-10

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

10/8 Exodus 2:1-10
1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. 5 Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said. 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" 8 "Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother. 9 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, [b] saying, "I drew him out of the water."

Calvin abridged: Aaron was three years old when Moses was born, but mention is made only of Moses; this is because then it was illegal for the Hebrew slaves to keep alive their male children. We see the terror that was afflicting the Israelites in that parents were willing to part with their own children for their survival. However, Moses’ parents’ timidity can’t easily be excused. His mother made the ark with great care, but she thought it was really to bury her child in it. Her efforts would have been ridiculous and without benefit if God had not surprisingly appeared from heaven as the author of their preservation. She despaired of God’s providence, but they didn’t live in peaceful times, and suffered terrible agonies as slaves. Hebrews 11:23 gives praise to the parents for their efforts, even though the father did little to help with the ark. But God, who generally “chooses the weak things of the world” strengthened this woman, and Moses’ sister as well. 2- “When she saw that he was a fine child”- God had adorned Moses with beauty in order to influence his parents to preserve him. Often when God sees his people slow to perform their duty, he encourages them by allurements, though his parents’ faith also prompted them to hide him. God ordinarily leads his people in the darkness like the blind, when they are wavering in ignorance and weakness of heart. So God sustained their faith, motivating them by the handsomeness of Moses. 4- “His sister stood at a distance”- It appears that Moses’ sister, Miriam, was put in place by her parents to watch for Moses’ demise more than to provide for the safety of their child. But in the darkness of sorrow and despair some sparks of faith still survive, and Moses’ mother did not abandon all care of him. But God miraculously stretched forth his hand for the child’s preservation. For there can be no question that his secret providence brought the king’s daughter to the river, and He gave her courage to have the baby nursed. He was controlling the whole matter. Scoffers would say that all of this happened by accident, because they are blind to the clear works of God, and think the human race is governed by mere chance. But we must faithfully hold that while God rules all people by his providence, he honors the elect with his peculiar care, and is watchful of their deliverance and support. It is absurd to think with Epicurus that the world is just a chance collision of atoms. Truly God drew out Moses, who was to be the future redeemer of his people, as from the grave, in order that he might show that the safety of the Church was like a creation out of nothing. And to top it all off, the mother not only got to nurse her son, but was paid for it. 10- “and the child grew”- The grief of the parents was renewed, when they had to give Moses up. It is doubtful Moses could stay pure in the corrupting Egyptian court. Yet Moses maintained his integrity and uprightness.

Thought: Moses is a type of Christ here. He was put in the “ark” as Christ was put in the grave. But he was resurrected by the princess of Egypt who lifted him up out of death to the highest place. As Moses was placed into the river to escape Pharaoh, so Christ went to Egypt to escape Herod. This also applies to us. God lifts us up when we are “sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore.” As Moses was drawn out of the water- so God draws us to Himself.

Prayer: Thank you for your providence and your salvation so evident in the story of Moses birth and the story of Christ’s birth.

10/6- 2 Samuel 7:1-16 Jesus descended from David

(Michelangelo's David closeup- Forence, Italy)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

10/7- 2 Samuel 7:1-16
1 After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 3 Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:
5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" '
8 "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.
" 'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by human beings, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.' "

Calvin (Inst. II.13.3): Our opponents both foolishly and wickedly entangle in allegories those testimonies wherein Christ is called the seed of Abraham and the fruit of David’s loins. For if the term “seed” had been allegorically intended, Paul
surely would not have remained silent about this when he affirmed, clearly and unfiguratively, that there are not many redeemers among the children of Abraham, but only one, Christ [Galatians 3:16]. Of the same stuff is their pretense that Christ was called “son of David” only because he had been promised and at last was revealed in his own time [Romans 1:3]. For when Paul named him “Son of David,” and then immediately added “according to the flesh,” he surely designates his human nature by this. Thus in the ninth chapter, after calling Christ “blessed God,” he asserts separately that he descended from the Jews “according to the flesh” [Romans 9:5]. Now, if he had not truly been begotten of the seed of David, what will be the point of this expression that he is “the fruit of her womb” [cf. Luke 1:42]? What is this promise, “From your loins will descend one who will remain upon your throne” [cf. Psalm 132:11 p.; also, 2 Samuel 7:12; Acts 2:30]? Now they sophistically disport themselves over Matthew’s version of the genealogy of Christ. Matthew does not list Mary’s ancestors, but Joseph’s [Matthew 1:16]. Still, because he is mentioning something well known at the time, he considers it sufficient to show that Joseph sprang from the seed of David, since it was clear enough that Mary came from the same family. Luke emphasizes this even more, teaching that the salvation provided by Christ is common to all mankind. For Christ, the Author of salvation, was begotten of Adam, the common father of us all [Luke 3:38]. I admit that one can gather from the genealogy that Christ was the son of David solely in so far as he was begotten of the virgin. But in order to disguise their error — to prove that Christ took his body out of nothing — the new Marcionites too haughtily contend that women are “without seed.” Thus they overturn the principles of nature…he differentiates this wonderful manner of generation from the common sort in stating that through her Christ was begotten of the seed of David. In the same way that Isaac was begotten of Abraham, Solomon of David, Joseph of Jacob, Christ is said to have been begotten of his mother. For the Evangelist so arranges the order of his words. Meaning to prove that Christ took his origin from David, he was satisfied with this one thing: Christ was begotten of Mary. From this it follows that he took it as generally acknowledged that Mary was related to Joseph.

Thought: The great promise to David was that he would always have a descendant on the throne. God would build him a house (lineage), because he sought to build God a house (temple). That is a promise for us, in that Christ is not only our prophet and priest, but also our king. Calvin believed that Joseph was descended from David and his genealogy is found in Matthew, while Calvin believe Luke held Mary’s genealogy. Traditional scholars point out that the last of the Hasmonean kings (Maccabean rulers- descended from David) ended during the time of Jesus. Josephus claimed Herod the Great had Hasmonean (Davidic) blood. Agrippa II was the last ruler to have Davidic blood and he was born 27 A.D. just a few years before Jesus’ death. The last brief independent rule of the Davidic line occurred about 40 years (a generation) before Jesus’ birth by Hyrcanus who was released from Roman tribute by Julius Caesar. Less than a generation after Jesus’ death the Romans tried to exterminate the Jews and destroyed the nation (70 A.D. under Agrippa II’s rule). The point is that the promise of a Davidic line was fulfilled in Jesus. His reign, as he put it, was not over a physical kingdom (as some of the zealots- possibly Judas wanted), but a spiritual kingdom that would last until eternity. Those who believe in him are a part of that invisible kingdom- the invisible church.

Prayer: Thank you for your reign over us, Lord. Thank you that you are on the eternal throne that no one can take away. You are the King of kings who fulfills the promises you make to your people.

10/6 Micah 5:1-4 Bethlehem and Christ

(the author at the entrance to the cave in Bethlehem- the traditional site of Jesus' birth- now made ornate by the church)

Micah 5:1-4
1Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. 2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Calvin abridged: The Prophet was trying to encourage the people to have patience despite the upcoming siege. It is important to see that when the Prophets threaten us with wrath or denounce the punishment we deserve we either become apathetic or grow angry with God and complain. But when the Prophets comfort us, we indulge ourselves and become too secure. It is important that we have both an awareness of God’s wrath and his promises so that we may be ready to endure temporary problems and rely on Him. He calls Jerusalem a “city of troops” meaning that they choose the way of violence; they assemble (troop) together as a gang of thieves gather together for violence, so now troops will besiege them. The Lord was saying that they had been oppressive to others so now they would be oppressed in return (c.f Isa. 33:1). They governors and judges of Israel will be humbled by their enemies- suffering the greatest indignity of being struck on the cheek. But having said all this, the prophet gives them hope (vs. 2). But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah. While God was humbling the proud city and its rulers, he was also lifting up this simple, humble town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem Ephratha is distinguished from another Bethlehem of Zebulon. The word Ephrathah designates an abundance of fruit or provisions, and there David was born. “of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel”- this means that it was not God’s purpose to completely destroy his people- but he would restore them again after a time. The people would not have expected that King David would have come from such a small and simple town. David’s father was a shepherd, his family lived very simply, and David was the humblest in his family. God had surprised them before by bringing a king from humble beginnings, and he would do so again. “Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”- means from eternity. The rise of a new ruler had long ago been determined by God and was not a sudden event. Some say this refers to the eternal existence of Christ, and I agree with them; but as some will not accept this, I prefer the simpler, immediate meaning: that Christ will not come unexpectedly from Bethlehem, but God had previously determined his coming.
Thought: God is not surprised. It was in God’s plan that the proud would be humbled and the humble would be lifted up. As God took David from the shepherd’s stalls and made him king, so God takes Jesus from the manger in the same town and makes him King of kings. Psalm 78:1 says, “from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.” David himself said, “Who am I, O sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me thus far? …and you have spoken to me about the future of my house” 2 Sam. 7:19,20). Bethlehem meant “house of bread.” It is most appropriate that the bread of life be born there. It is a great reminder for us that God is sovereign. He is the King of kings- and we do not need to panic, nor place our ultimate trust in what the rulers of our world are currently doing. There was so much that had to happen in order for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Thousands of miles away, Caesar Augustus, perhaps the greatest emperor of Rome, made a decree. Luke expresses an amazement at God’s leading Jesus’ family in this way so that he would be born in the place that would fulfill the prophecy. Even today you can go to Bethlehem and see what is very probably the place. It was marked by an early church. The place is a cave that was used for keeping animals (they didn’t have many wooden stables in that land- lots of rock and not many trees). Bethlehem is a real city- not a fable. The one whose origins are from of old, intersected life in the most humble way, lived a most humble life, and was lifted up to the highest place. His greatness has indeed reached to the ends of the earth. It is only in the last twenty years that we can say that the gospel has spread to every nation- and there are Christians in each nation of the world today.

Prayer: You are worthy of our praise, O Lord. You lift up the humble. So we humble ourselves before you, that you might lift us up.

10/5 Hosea 11:1 Christ in Egypt

(Out of Egypt- Hendrick Goltzius 1558-1617)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

Hosea 11:1-9

1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called,
the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 5 "Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a human being— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.
[Matthew 2:15- And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” ]

Calvin abridged: God here rebukes the people of Israel for their ingratitude. God had embraced them from the very beginning even when there was no merit or worthiness in them. The birth of the people was their coming out of Egypt. Egypt was like a grave- without a spark of life; and their condition worst than a thousand deaths. His calling them out of this grave of death shows his love before they were even born. Matthew says that this prophecy [“out of Egypt I have called my son”]was fulfilled when Jesus escaped Herod going into and coming back from Egypt. In a way, Matthew has more deeply considered the purpose of God in that Christ’s body (the Church) is mutilated without the Head. It is a proper thing for the Head to experience what the body experienced. God in His wonderful providence intended that his on should come out of Egypt, that he might be a redeemer to the faithful; so he shows that a true, real, and completed deliverance was finally effected when the promised redeemer appeared. As it was the nativity of the people of God in the Old Testament when Egypt was delivered, so it was the full nativity of the Church when Jesus was delivered. Christ is a different kind of Son of God than the people of Israel- for Abraham’s seed was adopted, but Christ is by nature the only- begotten Son of God. The difference in the sonship is also found in that the ingratitude of the posterity of David did not apply to the Christ. They were but types and shadows, but Christ is the real Son of God.

Thoughts: When you read Calvin’s commentaries, something really clear stands out- he did not doubt the scripture as so many commentators do today. Even the good commentaries of today are busy handling the severe doubts by others (like- did Jesus really go into Egypt?). So Calvin focuses clearly on the text itself, and how we can get meaning out of it and apply it to our lives. There was a sense in which all the Church- all those who believe were there with Christ. Paul said this “as in Adam all die, so in Christ have all been made alive.” Theologians called this the “federal headship” of Christ. I just finished watching the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” in which the king of Jerusalem (Baldwin IV) said, “I am Jerusalem.” When the king went out with his army the muslim general sent a message that “Jerusalem has come.” This is an older concept that has been watered down into representation. In certain things the president speaks for or represents America. In some ways the congress votes for all America. In other ways the federal Supreme Court makes the final decision “for” America. So there is a sense in which the Head of the Church represented all of us- going down into Egypt and coming back out. It was another sign that Jesus would be our deliverer- the Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you suffered at the hands of kings to show us how to suffer. Thank you that you that you also show us your deliverance and hope.

10/4- Jeremiah 31:15,16 Hope in weeping

(Rachel weeping- Charles Wilson Peale 1772)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

Jeremiah 31:15
15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy.

At first the Prophet describes the desolation of the land, when it is emptied of its inhabitants. Secondly, he adds a comfort- that God would restore the captives from exile, that the land would be inhabited again. The Prophet uses personification of Rachel who was in the grave, and he represents her as lamenting. Rachel was buried at Bethlehem, but this was not why Jeremiah or the evangelists chose this image. Rachel was viewed as weeping for the tribe of Benjamin which was now extinct in the land. This was quoted in Matthew 2:18 as applying allegorically to those infants who were murdered by Herod. “Your work will be rewarded” – means that God will put an end to Rachel’s tears. The labor here is similar to that of a woman giving birth- who does not miscarry but whose labor bears fruit. The people would be restored to the land, which will stop Rachel’s weeping.

Thoughts: Ramah (in the tribe of Benjamin’s borders- and former center for the tribe) was north of Jerusalem- and people passed through there on the way to exile in Babylon. Bethlehem is south of Jerusalem, but there was weeping over her children’s killing too. But despite the sorrow there is hope in both cases. People came back to the land after the exile. Despite the death of the babies, the king from Bethlehem lives in the person of Jesus. He is the one from David’s royal line who does not die (2 Sam. 7) fulfilling the promises to David. Even in the most horrible situations- the exile and the killing of babies- there is still hope. Even in our worst situations, there is still hope. Today there is much fear for our circumstances, and little grace. But we should have more hope. Hope to believe God’s grace can overcome even the worst of situations. One of the worst of all situations- the worst kind of grief and sadness- is losing a child. Jeremiah and Matthew infer that even in this kind of sadness, God is not absent, nor does He stop working.

Prayer: Today, Lord, give me hope. Hope even in the worst problems of life. Thank you for the hope of Bethlehem that quiets her sadness and weeping.

10/3- Isaiah 7:1-17 Believing in a sign from God

(Seal found of Ahaz King of Judah)
10/3- Isaiah 7:1-17

1 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.
2 Now the house of David was told, "Aram has allied itself with [a] Ephraim"; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.
3 Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, [b] to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field. 4 Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 "Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it." 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
" 'It will not take place, it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only
Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' "
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of human beings? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and [e] will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."

Calvin Abridged (7:12-17) Ahaz refuses the sign the Lord offers him by saying he is unwilling to tempt the Lord. But do we tempt God, when we accept what he offers us? Certainly not. Ahaz’s problem was one of faith. God was giving him a sign to strengthen his faith. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are signs of the faith given in the gospel. Must they be regarded as superfluous? Not at all- they are aids for our support given by God. The refusing of the sign by Ahaz shows stubbornness and ingratitude on his part. Some fanatics today likewise disregard Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as childish elements, but in their rejection they reject the whole gospel; for we must not separate those things which the Lord commands us to join in. Some may ask if we should ask for signs from the Lord as Gideon did (Jdg. 6:17). But Gideon did so under the operation and influence of the Holy Spirit, and we should not abuse his example, restraining ourselves from frivolous asking. We should be satisfied with the signs the Lord offers us. There are two kinds of signs: some are extraordinary and supernatural (as here), and some are ordinary and daily (as Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). The Spirit is at work in both kinds- more visibly in the extraordinary signs, but silently in the ordinary ones. 14- “Trying the patience of human beings…and God”- It is not really possible to make a separation between God and the prophets and holy teachers – who are God’s instruments, making common cause with Him (Lk. 10:16). “Behold a virgin shall conceive”- this passage has become obscure over centuries of misinterpretation. Some have alleged that the person spoken here is Hezekiah, others that it is the son of Isaiah. But Hezekiah was grown when Jerusalem was besieged; the Lord did not promise deliverance from the seed of Isaiah. The title “Immanuel” was far too illustrious to be applied to any human being. Others conjecture it is some obscure child born at the time foreshadowing Christ. But they do not produce a strong argument, say who the child was, or bring forward any proofs. Some say that this passage was not talking about Christ’s birth 500 years later when Jerusalem was not besieged- because the Prophet was giving a sign of deliverance then. When Ahaz rejected the sign of the prophet, Isaiah was reminding him of the covenant given to his Davidic ancestors of the whole deliverance of the nation provided in the Messiah who was God with us. The Prophets in establishing God’s promises, often spoke of a coming Redeemer, however remote. It was as if Isaiah said, “True, you do not believe the promises of God, but yet God will fulfill them; for he will in time send his Christ, for whose sake he determines to preserve this city.” Instead of relying on God’s promises for deliverance, Ahaz relied on the Assyrians for help, and they ended up destroying his kingdom in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Thoughts: Most commentators today speak of only an immediate, obscure fulfillment. Yet Calvin, more than any other commentator I have seen, speaks of this as a prophecy of the messiah’s coming only. Isaiah’s wife was not unmarried nor a virgin (she already had a son 7:3, and her second son was no Immanuel). Some say it was someone in Ahaz’s house- but this is real guesswork too. If Isaiah was speaking of a child born right then, the child’s identity (or parents) is not made clear. Calvin points out that the ultimate fulfillment and sign to us is made clear. The virgin birth is a sign given by God. Some say the sign is not important (as Ahaz did in his day). But the sign of Jesus’ birth by the virgin Mary is a confirmation to strengthen our faith, and should not be made light of.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the signs- extraordinary and ordinary you give us in life. Thank you for being our deliverer from fear and death.

10/2- Israel enslaved, Human meannness

(Hebrew brick makers picture-13th cent Egypt)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

10/2 Exodus 1:8-14
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country." 11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

Calvin abridged: Moses relates that the start of the troubles of God’s elect came from jealousy and from the groundless fear of the Egyptians that this strange nation may create danger for them unless the Egyptians oppressed it. 9- “He said to his people” This was a public consultation before an assembly. In many secular counsels what is right is professed over what is profitable, but in the end, covetousness and greed blinds everybody so that they lose respect for what is right and rationalize their actions to their own advantage. They make out that what is advantageous to them is necessary [like “they may join our enemies”], so that they persuade themselves that what is to their own advantage is right. This happens to the point where their own security is elevated above injuring others, and those they injure are considered wicked characters. This is how wars get started. Every ruler fears their neighbors, and the fear so fills them that they do not hesitate to cover the earth with human blood. So also among private individuals do we give ourselves the license to deceive, lie, murder and rape because we think that someone may hurt us without doing such things. So too often we hurt others to preserve our own security. A solution to this is found in trusting the providence of God to soften our immoderate cares and anxieties which keep us from justice. 11- The Egyptians did not just require tribute from the Israelites, but they enslaved them out of meanness and fear. They desired to inflict these wretched people by increasing the heaviness of their burdens.

Thoughts: There is an unusual story that came out today about a couple that were “living together” (without marriage) in California. When they broke up- she wanted her jewelry back- and he refused to give it. She told him he’d regret it and took his seven goldfish. When the police asked her to give them back she replied that she couldn’t because she fried them and ate them! Ah yes, how we like to go to the extreme in torturing others. So the Egyptians enslaved, and tortured the Israelites by making their labor as hard as they could.
Prayer: Help us, O Lord, to accept the problems of life form your providential hand. Help us to face our crosses and our need for self-denial. Help us to be kinder to those with whom we differ.

10/1- Matthew 2:14-18 Murder of the Innocents

(killing of the Innocents- Flemish)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

Matthew 2:14-18
15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Jeremiah 31:16,17: 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy. 17 So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.”

Calvin abridged: This is how the passage (quoted from Hosea 11:1) ought to be interpreted: “When Israel was
yet a child, I brought him out of that wretched bondage in which he had been plunged. He was formerly like a dead man, and Egypt served him for a grave; but I drew him out of it as from the womb, and brought him into
the light of life.” That deliverance from Egypt was the birth of a nation, in which they were adopted by God (Deut. 32:9; 1 Pt. 2:9) becoming a nation of priests, being rescued from a deep whirlpool of death in that foreign country. Now our redemption by Christ is a resurrection from the dead and a commencement to a new life. The light of salvation had almost been extinguished when God began the Church anew in the person of Christ. Before the whole nation was formerly shut up in Egypt, now it was Christ-the head of the Church alone- who was concealed there. Yet he carries the salvation and life for all within himself.
16-“When Herod saw…”- Herod saw that the Magi recognized his own deception and trickery (he said he wanted to pay homage) and did not want to take part in his pretense or his cruelty. Josephus does not make mention of this event, but the historian Macrobius in his second book of Saturnalia does: “When he heard that, by Herod’s command, the children in Syria under two years of age had been slain, and that his own son had been slain among the crowd, ‘I would rather’ said he, ‘have been Herod’s hog than his son.’” But Matthew’s authority alone is sufficient. Josephus certainly mentions other acts of cruelties of Herod that show his murderous character- like the killing of the Sanhedrin by Herod. Matthew says that Herod killed those two and under from which we may understand that Christ may have been as old as two years- but we do not know. It probably was not a two year journey for them. When the Magi came they asked for “a king who had been born” not after one that was two years old. 18 “a voice was heard in Ramah”- It is certain that Jeremiah 31:15 (quoted here) was speaking of the destruction of the tribe of Benjamin, putting these words in the mouth of Benjamin’s mother, Rachel, who had been long dead. Herod’s murder was a renewal of that mourning over the killing of children. Jeremiah goes on to promise a restoration, and Matthew promises a restoration through Christ- despite the massacre. After this passage Jeremiah says, “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears for your work will be rewarded and you will return from the land of exile.” (31:16,17).

Thoughts: Herod is an example of a very smart, but very jealous ruler. He did all he could to eliminate his competition. This passage is a lesson for all those who want to eliminate criticism (probably in the name of unity). Herod had killed not only the judges mentioned in Calvin’s commentary, but his own son and his own wife. Yet, He rebuilt the temple, built up Masada, and a magnificent palace. He was enthralled with human power and glory to the point of jealousy toward even God’s interference in the fulfillment of a prophecy. I have often wondered why rulers or even others persecute Christians. Maybe in part it is to preserve their own power against the power of God. The best thing we can do is to submit to God’s power. In the end- He alone is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jealousy and a desire to preserve our own status no matter what consequence it is to another is another form of human pride and rebellion against God. In sharp contrast to Herod’s killing to preserve his temporary crown is Christ’s cross that in the end allows him to be crowned King of kings. In our competitive dog-eat-dog world (made even more competitive by the recession), we would do well to follow Christ’s admonition to love our neighbor and even our enemies instead of Herod’s example of killing (or hating) our neighbor and our enemies!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to follow you. Give us grace to handle threats to our power and status with strength and trust in you.

9/30- Matthew 2:13,14 Help in exile

(1310 Giotto)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.


Matthew 2:13,14 13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

Calvin abridged: We don’t know how long it was between the departure of the Magi and when Joseph was ordered to Egypt, but it is not really important. We do know that the Lord spared Mary so that she was recovered from child birth before she had to make the journey. It was an unusual but wonderful purpose of God that he chose to preserve his Son by flight. Joseph’s mind had to be harassed by temptations until he saw that there was no way out except fleeing: for in flight there was no appearance of divine protection. It is hard to reconcile that the one who was to be the Savior of all, had to be preserved by the exertion of a mortal man. Yet God reserved the right to show his providential preserving (the event was hidden from others) through such weak means because the time of Christ’s glorification and full manifestation of his power had not yet come. This was part of the incarnation, in which Christ subjected himself to the pains of human sin. So God has more than one way of preserving his people- sometimes it is by astonishing displays of power, but other times he employs hiding in shadows. Let us permit God to advance our salvation by a diversity of methods, and let us not refuse to be humbled so that he eventually, and more abundantly preserves his glory. We should never avoid the cross, for which the Son of God was trained since his earliest infancy. 14- Joseph immediately got up and complied with the injunction of the angel. Such prompt obedience shows that he was certain of the dream and had no doubt that God was the one enjoining him to flee to Egypt. The flight by night was not just of fear, but a combination of awareness of human danger and God’s humble means of providing safety. Our fear ought to always be regulated by God’s Word. If the two agree, there is no opposition of faith. “Stay there until I have told you”- By these words the angel declares that God will continue to care for the child Jesus. Joseph needed this assurance of continued protection after they arrived in the foreign land. Doubtless Joseph would have numerous problems with being in Egypt as he was excluded not only from the inheritance promised by God, but also from the temple, from sacrifices, from public professions of God, and was living in a superstitious and enemy environment where it was not as easy to be a believer. Yet, Joseph carried with him, in the person of the child, all the blessings and promises of the ancient fathers and the Lord.

Thoughts: Many think that God only helps us in magnificent ways, and they leave no way for God to help us by humility. Yet it was by humility- coming down to earth, and dying on a cross that we are truly helped and forgiven. Calvin and many of his friends found much comfort in this part of the gospel story, as Calvin himself had been in exile from his home country of France. He had fled for his life in November 1533. He escaped from the police by climbing down out of a second floor window by tying together clothes and climbing down. He changed his clothes, and travelled around France for a year dodging the police. But others were hunting him to hear his teaching and sermons. A year later the persecution heated up in France and Calvin was forced out of the country. As he was fleeing for his life, a servant stole his money pouch leaving him penniless. When Calvin was in Geneva, he always welcomed the exiles- those who had to flee England, the Holy Roman (German) empire, France, Czechoslovakia, Italy, and other places. Some in Geneva called him a friend of immigrants and detested so many exiles. But Calvin made provision for them with housing, food, and teaching them industry or providing work for them. The Bible many times exhorts us to be kind to the alien/immigrant/exiled person because the people of God were in exile in Egypt. There are many today who are not only unkind toward those who have moved to our state or country, but they are purposefully mean. Christians need to be different from the world by reaching out with God’s love and witness to those who have moved to our area- loving our neighbor. Doubtless this passage in Matthew infers this kindness again. It would have been terrible to be in Egypt and be mean or inhospitable to Joseph or Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see those who are in exile today. Give me a chance to help someone in your name this week. Help me to also see your deliverance is not always with power, but sometimes with our own humility.

9/29 2 Samuel 12:11-18 Redeeming Purpose in Pain

(David and Bathsheba at the death of their son)
9/30 II Sanuel 12:11-18, 22-24

11 "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "
13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."
Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, [a] the son born to you will die."
15 After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
18 On the seventh day the child died…"While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; 25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

Calvin abridged: [speaking of why bad things happen to people]: When the wicked suffer they already begin to suffer the punishments of their judgment. They are not punished that they might come to a better mind, but that they may find God to be a judge and one who holds us accountable for our sins. But the children are disciplined, not to pay the penalty for their sins, but to be led to repentance. So the punishment of the believing children has to do with the future and not the past. Chrysostom and Augustine agree. Augustine says, “What you suffer, what you complain about, is your medicine, not your penalty; your chastisement not your condemnation; do not put away discipline if you do not want to put away your inheritance.” When God punished Saul [the unbeliever] he was punishing for vengeance (1 Sam. 15:23). When he took away David’s little son [conceived in adultery with Bathsheba] he was rebuking him for amendment [2 Sam. 12:18]. For the saints, such hardships are struggles and exercises. For the wicked [unbeliever] who have no forgiveness of sins, they are punishments.

Thoughts: Our culture loves comfort here on this earth so much, that Christians are sucked down into the whirlpool of thinking that all pain is meaningless- and how can there be any purpose in pain? Many Christians do not believe a good God can possibly allow any pain in life, and that pain has nothing to do with sin. While pain may not have anything to do with sin (Job is an example of this), it may, and frequently does have something to do with our own mistakes and failures. Sometimes God uses pain as an alarm clock (or megaphone) to wake us up to our need for him and get our attention. Sometimes God uses pain as a goad to get us going or lead us in the right direction. If you don’t believe God has anything to do with sin ever, then you will have a hard time finding meaning in pain. Our passage in 2 Samuel in which David says some amazing things about life and death not brought out in many other passages. In fact, this passage is often quoted when a child dies. David knew his adulterous relationship with Uriah’s wife was wrong, and he knew that having the loyral Uriah killed was very wrong. Nathan the prophet rebuked him and reminded him that he did not get away with it. The death of the child conceived in adultery was not pleasant or right. But David says, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Some say David is just talking of going to the grave and death with his child. But there is hope here- David stops mourning, and even comforts his wife. They have another child- Solomon, who is loved and blessed by the Lord. Calvin would say for those who do not believe, punishment for sin is meaningless-- except to find out that God holds us accountable for our actions. God cares about what we do. For the believer, bad things are discipline or medicine for us so that we may stay on the right path and learn from Him. For many people, this is very hard to understand. It is hard because we love comfort, and love the things and people of this life (even our families) more than we love God. If we make a God of our families, we will be disappointed too. Families can bring the greatest joys and the greatest sorrow and disappointment. Our families will all die (the Father even had to watch his own Son die on the cross- but then there was the resurrection). If we make a God of our children, or our spouse, we do them and us a disservice, and their eventual pain or death will seem to us meaningless. But if we follow Christ and seek him first, we are promised to see our family members again. Another lesson here is that God uses even the worst acts (adultery and murder/manslaughter) to bring about Solomon and eventually Jesus (cf. Matthew 1:6- Jesus’ genealogy- “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife). God disciplines his children, and also is able to bring good out of horrible sin.

Prayer: In the pain I have faced, face today, or will face, help me Lord to find you. Help me to trust in you though life is not as it should be, and I make it worst by my own action or inaction. Thank you, Lord, that you redeem life from its pain and tragedy with meaning and hope.

9/28- Matthew 1:18-21 Joseph's Dilemna

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

9/29 Matthew 1:18-21
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about [d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Calvin abridged: Mathew does not speak of the manner or place of Christ’s birth, but the way in which his heavenly origins were made known to Joseph. “Pledged…but before they came together”- seems to indicate that they were engaged, but she was still living under her father’s roof. When a young woman was betrothed to a man she was considered his lawful wife, but if she was convicted of being unchaste the law condemned both of the guilty parties as adulterers (Deut. 22:23,24). 19- “Joseph…was a just man”- This is not referring to Joseph’s gentleness or mercy dealing with Mary, but that he was not willing to overlook the problem-conniving with what he perceived to be her unchastity. Joseph condemned the crime which he supposed his wife to be guilty, but his kindness prevented him from pushing for the utmost rigor of the law- so he wished to depart privately. Mary was silent, and didn’t tell her husband or the public that she was with child by the Holy Spirit. If she had gone public she and he would have been a laughing stock. The Holy Spirit used this story of the announcement to Joseph to make certain in our hearts of the reality of the holiness of the birth of Christ.
20- “While he was considering this”- We see here an example of the timing of the Lord’s help for his people. We can infer that when God appears not to observe our cares and distresses we are still under his eye. He may hide himself and remain silent, but when our patience has been subjected to the trial, he will help us at the wisest time. However slow or late his assistance may appear to be, it is for our advantage that it is delayed. “Joseph son of David do not be afraid to take Mary”- Joseph was afraid of sharing in the criminality of his wife by enduring her adultery. The angel removed his suspicions toward Mary’s guilt, so that he might live with her with a clear conscience. “Son of David” would have brought to mind the prophecies of the messiah’s coming from David’s line. 21- “Jesus” (Hebrew Joshua)- His name tells us His purpose- to save us from our sins. From this we see first that those whom Christ was sent to save are in themselves lost-we all need his grace. Next we see that Christ saves us by delivering us from our sins. This is done in two parts- his atoning work on the cross, and then his pardoning us of our sins.

Thoughts: Joseph was in a spot. He loved Mary, and he also loved God and His law. It is similar to the dilemma of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham was told to sacrifice the only one given to him-it was a heart wrenching situation. But as God provided a way out for Abraham, God provided a way out for Joseph. The ram of sacrifice, supernaturally provided, saved Isaac. The lamb of God, supernaturally provided, saved Mary and Joseph’s relationship. God provides for us- often not before the dilemma happens, but during the height of the problem. We need to understand this too. This passage speaks very powerfully to the idea of adoption of children- as Joseph basically adopted Jesus as his own child. He did so because he was clearly led by God to do it.

Prayer: In our problems, Lord, help us to see your provision for our salvation. Help us to always have hope. Help us to be kind to the helpless as Joseph was kind by taking in Mary and adopting Jesus.

9/27- Seven Deadly Sins?

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23) Whoever breaks one of these commands and teaches others to do so will be least in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 5;19). "The soul that sins shall surely die." (Ezekiel 18:4,20).

Calvin: God’s curse ever presses upon the transgression of the law. There is no reason, then, for us to exempt any covetings, however light, from the judgment of death. Augustine says: In weighing sins “let us not bring forward false balances to weigh what we please and as we please, according to our own opinion, saying, ‘This is
heavy’; ‘This is light.’ But let us bring forward the divine balance of the
Holy Scriptures, as from the Lord’s treasury, and in that balance let us
weigh what is heavier. No — not weigh; rather, let us recognize what the
Lord has already weighed.”

Thoughts: [This is a departure for the day from Disciple's gospel studies]. In my Sunday School class we are studying Richard Foster's book, "Longing for God." Today we study Evagrius Ponticus and his 8 cardinal sins and 8 cardinal virtues. I am sure he is trying to distinguish in order to help us understand temptation and virtue. Gregory the Great (540-604) came up with the idea of 7 mortal sins versus venial sins. But Calvin in his commentary on the last commandment (Thou shalt not covet), reminds us that all sins lead to death and away from God's presence. The seven deadly sins are pride, anger, envy, sloth, lust, covetousness, gluttony. We downplay how much God hates sin. In doing so we miss the cost of the sacrifice of Christ, the worth of our salvation, and the sheer grace of God. While some sins affect others- spreading even more sin, yet every sin is worthy of death.

Prayer: Help us to see how great our need is for your grace, O Lord. We confess our sins to you, knowing you freely forgive us, and we thank you for that!

9/26- The true gospel

(4 gospels- book of Kells)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.


1. 2 Corinthians 11:4
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
2. Galatians 1:6
[ No Other Gospel ] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

Calvin: “Now I take the gospel to be the clear manifestation of the mystery of Christ.” 2:9:2

Thoughts: the word “gospel” means good news. But it also means telling the story of Christ- the message. There are different messages out there that we can grab on to. But we are to hold onto the message passed onto us- the life, death, resurrection of Christ- the revealing of the mystery of Christ.

Prauer: Lord, give us ears to hear your good news only. Make us deaf to the call of the world.

9/25- Acts 17- Reason and the Gospel

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

9/25-
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' [a] As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.


Calvin abridged: Paul was moved even angry because he saw the city of Athens so given to idolatry (cf. Ps. 69:9). Paul’s habit was to go to the synagogues first and to offer Christ to his own people who had been exposed to the Old Testament and had an aptitude for being taught. The Spirit gives them an honorable title in that they were a step closer to God. He calls them “religious.” But let us remember that all the religion of the world comes to nothing. Idolatry is a kind of atheism and superstition that often disguises contempt for God. Paul doubtless reasoned with the Epicureans (who boldly taught worldliness), and the Stoics (with their quips). Paul spoke about Christ and the resurrection and this seemed to them to be new devils. Our faith is distinguished from superstition in that it sets forth Christ to be the sole Mediator it teaches us to seek salvation only from him; it teaches that we are slaves to sin and need to be renewed again by the Holy Spirit. Philosophers may speak of the immortality of the soul, but they do not speak of being renewed here to the image of God; reconciled in Christ; and not a word about resurrection.

Thoughts: Paul’s teaching was different to the Athenians. They liked to hear new ideas and philosophies. So Paul tried to reason with them philosophically. He pointed out that they had an altar to an unknown God, and recognized that they believed in a creation. But they could not grasp the idea of the need for a savior nor the hope of the resurrection. It is hard to reason someone into the kingdom. Paul was not very successful here, yet some did come to faith in Athens. The Athenians were similar to people of our day. They practically were Epicureans- who follow the idea “if it feels good do it.” They also believed in openness and tolerance. When Paul came to them they were not the same Athenians of the golden age, for they had been wallowing in giving into the flesh for so long. They were considered smart, educated, but soft and immoral. “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything”- so the country song goes. In our day we have lost our moral compass. It is found in our true hope- Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, transform our minds as well as our souls, and make us better people.

9/24 Psalm 78 Salvation history

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.


Psalm 78:1-16

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,6that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; 8and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 9The Ephraimites, armed with[b] the bow, turned back on the day of battle. 10They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. 11They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.12In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. 13He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. 14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. 15He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. 16He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

Calvin abridged: Within this psalm there are two leading topics. On the one hand, it is declared that God adopted himself a Church from the line of Abraham, how tenderly and graciously he cherished it, how wonderfully he brought it out of Egypt, and how many were the blessing bestowed upon it. On the other hand, those who were so indebted to him for these great blessings given, are upbraided for having sometimes treacherously revolted from such a liberal father. His goodness is shown- in his adoption of them at first, but also in his striving against their rebellion. Another theme is the mention of the renewal of God’s grace, and a second election in which he chose David out of the tribe of Judah to rule the kingdom of Israel.

Thoughts: Psalm 78 is the history of the gospel in Old Testament terms. The people are chosen through Abraham, then they are slaves, then they are redeemed from Egypt and set free, then they rebel, then God chooses a ruler in the person of David (Calvin calls this a second choosing). In the gospel- we are seen in slavery to sin; then we are chosen and adopted to salvation; we continually rebel against God despite his blessings, and God still leads us back to him in the descendant of David- Jesus Christ. For Calvin, the pattern of salvation is deep within the Old Testament but seen clearer and fuller in the New Testament. Baptism is seen as a fulfillment of circumcision; the Lord’s Supper a completion of the Passover; The New Testament or covenant a fulfillment of the Old Testament of covenant. God does not interact with us in a vacuum. He has been at work, and works in us to redeem us, and to gently lead us as a shepherd despite our rebellion against his blessings. In our day, many are rejecting God despite the fact that we are blessed more than any other country and any other time in history. The average person in America lives better than a king of old- with relative safety, air conditioning, clean water, regular food, education- but we refuse to publicly recognize God’s blessings, and we rebel against him by going our own way. Yet, God is more gracious than we deserve- He still leads us like a shepherd. We need to turn back to Him our father, our shepherd.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for your gentleness in adopting us, and your kindness in dealing with our sins. Help us to come back to you fully.

9/23- Rahab

(Rahab and the spies- Italian school)
Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

9/23
1. Joshua 6:17
The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.

2. Joshua 6:23
So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.

3. Joshua 6:25
But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

4. Matthew 1:5
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse.
5. Hebrews 11:31
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
6. James 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Calvin Abridged: The whole country was to be destroyed, so how did Joshua have the freedom to save one family? Clearly the Spirit suggested that Rahab should be released. Joshua judged wisely that a woman who had voluntarily gone over to the Church was rescued early, with the special grace of God. We should learn from Joshua to keep our promise and to not make our promises lightly. He not only allows Rahab to be delivered by her guests, but is careful to keep her from any injury in the first assault. God doubtlessly wished to deliver Rahab’s family for they did not react with pride as did Lot’s sons-in-law. God also provided for them in that they were placed outside the camp (to distinguish between purity and impurity), and were strictly commanded to abandon their former way of life. After they had made a confession of their previous impurity, they dwelt in the midst of the people, and were regarded as if they had been with the people of God from the beginning. By her confession, Rahab gained one of the noblest fruits of her faith.
[Calvin’s commentary on Hebrews 11:31]- At first, Rahab’s example may seem not worthy to be recorded in such a list of great people. But the writer has shown how the Patriarchs, though now honored, did nothing worthy of praise except through faith. All the benefits conferred on us by God, even the most remarkable, have been fruits of the same faith. Now he shows that an alien woman, not only humble among her own people- but also a harlot- had been adopted into the body of the Church through faith. So those who are most exalted in life, are of no account before God, unless they have faith; and also those who are hardly allowed a place at the table among the worst of us, are by faith introduced into the company of angels. James also bears testimony to the faith of Rahab; for she was fully persuaded that God’s promise to the Israelites would be fulfilled. She also asked for pardon for herself and her friends even though they hadn’t yet conquered the city. The evidence of her faith was that she received the spies at the peril of her life- and by means of faith escaped safely from the ruined city. She is called a harlot to emphasize the great grace of God that redeems even the worst of us.

Thoughts: In our world we emphasize those in high positions- the politicians, the celebrities, the singers, those who are seen in our living rooms on our televisions. Yet in Hebrews, James, and in Jesus’ genealogy a prostitute is mentioned because she had faith. Rahab may have been a religious prostitute as the Canaanites used prostitution as a means to call upon their fertility goddesses. But she denied that profession to follow the God of Israel. Some scholars today think she was wealthy to have a house in the wall (perhaps a celebrity prostitute). In our culture we are thrilled with celebrities and sexuality. We would do well to recognize that Rahab is an example of someone in the most degrading of professions who God lifted up to the memory of all the people of God. She had an amazing trust in the God of Israel. We should as well.

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in you, our conqueror, our redeemer. You lift us up from the worst of sins to heaven itself.