All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations (Psalm 22:27-28).

Today’s Hymn

HE HIDETH MY SOUL
Click here for tune.

Words: Fanny Crosby, in The Finest of Wheat, No. 1 (Chicago, Illinois: R. R. Mc­Cabe, 1890).

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

Refrain

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

Refrain

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

Jesus commissioned His church to preach the Gospel to every nation of the world (Matt. 28:19), but what about the savage cannibals of the South Pacific islands of the New Hebrides? Did our Lord’s commission include them? In obedience to God’s call, the first Christian missionaries landed on the island of Erromanga in 1838. Within minutes of landing on the beach they were killed and eaten by the cannibals. God’s call then went to a young Scottish man by the name of John Paton. He shared his burden to reach these distant islanders with fellow Christians in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland causing one of the elders to respond, You will be eaten by cannibals! Paton quickly replied, Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.

Dad’s Study

John Paton was born near Dumfries, Scotland, on the 24th of May 1824. He was raised by Godly parents, was wonderfully converted at an early age, and desired to preach to the lost heathen from the age of about twelve. He faithfully served as a city missionary in Glasgow, Scotland. In the face of strong opposition from family and friends, John and his pregnant wife Mary set sail for the New Hebrides on November 5th, 1858 and arrived on the Island of Tanna in February 12th, 1859. Three months later Mary gave birth to young Peter. Shortly after Peter’s birth, Mary was struck with fever and sickness. Just four-month later Mary suddenly died. Only seventeen days later their newborn son also died. Paton dug two graves with his own hands and buried his wife and infant son by the house he had built. He faithfully continued to labor for the salvation of souls for the next four years, however, there seemed to be little fruit from his labors.

Paton was finally forced off the island of Tana by the tribal people. He later married Margaret who went with him to the island of Aniwa where they labored together for fifteen years. This was the harvest time in Paton’s ministry. His years of faithfulness were now yielding much fruit. At Aniwa he reduced the language to writing, built orphanages, trained teachers, printed Scriptures, ministered to the sick, taught the use of tools, and worshipped every Lord’s Day. During these fifteen years John and Margaret Paton saw the entire island of Aniwa turn to Christ. He wrote, I claimed Aniwa for Jesus, and by the grace of God Aniwa now worships at the Savior’s feet.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

What could sustain Paton in the midst of such adversity? I believe much of his strength came from his Calvinistic beliefs. He said in his autobiography, I am by conviction a strong Calvinist (p. 195). In other words, only a strong belief in the sovereignty of God and His regenerating power over hard rock souls could encourage Him to continue in the face of such adversity. Today, some like to falsely argue that the Doctrines of Grace stifle missionary zeal. As we can see from the ministry of Paton, his beliefs only strengthened his zeal! He wrote in his autobiography, My heart rose up to the Lord Jesus; I saw Him watching all the scene. My peace came back to me like a wave from God. I realized that I was immortal till my Master’s work with me was done. The assurance came to me, as if a voice out of Heaven had spoken, that not a musket would be fired to wound us, not a club prevail to strike us, not a spear leave the hand in which it was held vibrating to be thrown, not an arrow leave the bow, or a killing stone the fingers, without the permission of Jesus Christ, whose is all power in Heaven and on Earth. He rules all Nature, animate and inanimate, and restrains even the Savage of the South Seas (p. 207). May the Lord stir up young hearts to faithfully take the Gospel to uttermost parts of the earth with both courage and boldness!

Catechism

Question 11

Q. What are God’s works of providence?

A. God’s works of providence are his most holy (Ps. 145:17), wise (Isa. 28:29), and powerful (Heb. 1:3) preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions (Ps. 103:19; Mt. 10:29).

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee (Psalm 128:1-2).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739.

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Click here for tune.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
‘Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Thought Provoker

The great puritan, Thomas Watson, wrote He may look on death with joy, who can look on forgiveness with faith. What a difference there is between a dying Christian and a dying sinner! The stark contrast can often be heard in their last dying words. The atheist Voltaire muttered on his deathbed to his physician, I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth, if you will give me six months’ life. The doctor replied, Sir, you cannot live six weeks. Voltaire replied, Then I shall go to hell, and you will go with me. Soon after, he died. See if you can hear the difference as we listen to the last recorded words of that great man of faith, Moses.

Dad’s Study

How did Moses face death? Read together verse 29 and compare his words with that of Voltaire’s. These last few words give us great insight into his spiritual heart. Unlike Voltaire, rather than being concerned about his own happiness, Moses sought the happiness of the Israelites. He loved God and He loved God’s people and was glad that they were resting safely in Jehovah’s hands.

This frequently is the heart of the dying saint. Knowing that they will soon enter the presence of Christ their concern shifts to the spiritual good of those left behind. They long for family and friends to be happy in God through faith in His Son. This is the heart of every Christian parent, that their children might be saved and live a happy life. Why are God’s people happy people? Moses supplies the answers. First, because they were blessed above all the people of the world. He rhetorically asks, Who is like unto Thee? Of all the nations of the world, including rich and powerful Egypt, there was not a people like Israel. Discuss together in what ways Israel was like no other nation. In what ways can it be said today that Christians are like no other people of the world?

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

How happy it is to be saved by the Lord from your sins! What a joy to be one with the Creator of the heavens and earth! Are you happy today or have you become despondent and downcast? Perhaps it’s time to resurvey the many blessings that are yours in Christ. Not only should you be happy because you have been saved by the Lord, but Moses adds, because you have the shield of thy help! What joy there is to be shielded by God! Though dangers and enemies surround you, God is your shield and He has given you the sword of thy excellency which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). How happy you should be that you have the weapon of God’s Word with all of its power and promises. Also, be happy because the victory is yours. Moses adds, thine enemies shall be found liars and unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Your enemy, the devil, is a liar and tempts you with unbelief. However, through faith in Christ and His Word, Satan will be found a liar and defeated. Be happy today! Delight in God! Let your heart be glad in His name and rejoice forever!

Spurgeon graphically summed up this great verse: If I had to die like a dog, and there were no hereafter, I would still choose to be a Christian, for of all lives that can be lived there is none that can compare with this. We drink the wine of the lees well refined, and are satisfied with marrow and with fatness; but as for worldlings, they do but champ husks that swine do eat, with which their bellies cannot be filled. The Lord grant His people grace to be happy in Him, and may He also bring in the wanderers, for Jesus’ sake.

Catechism

Question 10

Q. 10 How did God create man?

A. God created man, male and female, after his own image (Gen. 1:27), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24) with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:28).

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to al that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739.

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Click here for tune.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
‘Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Thought Provoker

Discuss together as a family whether or not it is possible to sin against God without doing anything at all? If you answered yes, can you give some examples? Hint: Moses warned the members of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, …But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the lord; and be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:12). Let’s discover from today’s chapter what sin these tribes might commit by doing nothing at all.

Dad’s Study

Sin is a breaking of God’s law in thought, word, and deed (1 Jn. 3:4; Jas. 2:9; Rom. 1:32). You can break God’s law by doing what God has prohibited (acts of commission) or by not doing what God commands (acts of omission). Discuss together examples of each. In today’s chapter, God has graced the Israelites with a military victory over the country possessed by Og, king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites. This country had plenty of rich pastureland. Therefore the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who both possessed great numbers of cattle, asked Moses if they could have this land for themselves. This would mean that the rest of the tribes would have to cross over into the Promised Land by themselves and fight for their possessions. Moses then proposed to them that, if they were going to take this land for themselves they must first cross the Jordan River with their brethren and fight side-by-side until victory was won. How could they receive their portion and leave the other tribes to bear the toil of battle? They accepted Moses’ proposal and Moses reminded them that if they would not do so then their sin would find them out. If they did nothing and stayed where they were they would sin against the Lord!

What do you think was the nature of this sin of omission against God?

· First, it was a sin of selfishness and idleness. They didn’t want to enter the battle with the brethren, but instead desired to rest in the best land. They were not unlike many Christians while the church if involved in spiritual warfare. While brothers and sisters in Christ are putting their lives, families, and reputations on the line for Christ they opt for a life of ease. They take all they can spiritually for themselves but will not leave their beds of ease.

· Secondly it was a sin of failing to display brotherly love. It displayed an unwillingness to put the brethren first.

· Finally, it was a sin of disloyalty and lying. These two tribes had given their promise that they would be faithful to go forth with the other tribes. This would make them covenant breakers.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

When a person embraces Christ as Savior and Lord he is making a promise to be dead to the world and join with other saints to advance the kingdom of God. To settle for a life of ease is to break a precious covenant with God. What are some ways that your family might be following after the life of spiritual idleness? Are you letting others serve the Lord at church? Is your focus on yourself over others? Remember, if you are following a life of spiritual idleness your sin will find you out. The sin of doing nothing can be the biggest sin of all.

Catechism

Question 10

Q. 10 How did God create man?

A. God created man, male and female, after his own image (Gen. 1:27), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24) with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:28).

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands (Psalm 138:8).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739.

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Click here for tune.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
‘Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Thought Provoker

Many throughout history have claimed to know what the future holds. Frequently they hedge their predictions by asserting that the future is not set in stone, rather their prediction is one possible future. They warn that their dark prediction will occur unless positive action is taken. This may seem exciting to many, but excitement alone does not mean it is true. The only prophecies that are true are those which come from the Word of God. The Bible does not tell what is possible in the future but what will actually happen.

Dad’s Study

We have confidence in the fulfillment of the Bible’s prophecies for several reasons.

· First, God has caused us to trust in it as the inerrant Word of a God who is omniscient (all knowing) and immutable (unchanging).

· Secondly, its prophecies throughout history have been validated as true. Hundreds of prophecies have been fulfilled in every detail. Therefore, we can look to the future with expectancy that every future prophecy will come to pass.

In our passage today Moses turns 120 years old. God wonderfully appears and directs Moses to pass his leadership on to Joshua (Read vs. 14-23). However, God does not give a positive picture of Israel’s future. Instead, He gives Moses a song (you will see this in tomorrow’s devotion) to remind Israel that their intentions from the beginning were not good. The realization that their efforts are destined to fail before they begin is not this world’s idea of encouragement. After hearing this bleak prophecy, Joshua is still encouraged to bring the sons of Israel into the land.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The Bible warns us as well of dark days coming upon the earth. The Bible prophecies that many will be called but only a few are chosen (Matt. 22:14). We also know that if it weren’t for the grace of God we would all remain unforgiven in our trespasses and sin. We too know from the prophecies of God that the future will be filled with tribulation and spiritual darkness. Many will march down the broad road that leads to destruction and only a few down the straight gate narrow way that leads to eternal life. Man’s news is not good, yet for all the tribulation and apparently few conversions, God has commissioned us to be strong and courageous. We need not be discouraged by apparent failure, but be encouraged by God’s faithfulness to us. You see, I peeked ahead to the end of the song. As you look into the future through the prophecies of God’s Word be encouraged. Not only has God told us the future, He has sovereignly worked out each detail for His glory and pleasure. Let us be faithful in fulfilling His plan.

Pastor Craig Chambers – Alberton, Montana

Catechism

Question 10

Q. 10 How did God create man?

A. God created man, male and female, after his own image (Gen. 1:27), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24) with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:28).

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved (Psalm 80:3-7).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739.

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Click here for tune.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
‘Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Thought Provoker

When we speak of the consequences of our actions we are talking about the concept of the natural outcomes of what we do and how that impacts us and those around us. Normally this takes place in the context of discussing the consequences of sin. The Scripture says, And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation (Exodus 34:6,7). But do you realize that obedience also has its consequences? What would be some of the consequences of obedience? Even in this, most will probably mention things such as persecution, and this is true. But today we see that one consequence of obedience is blessing.

Dad’s Study

Although the specific promises in this passage refer to the nation Israel, some of which are yet to be fulfilled, these promises of God contain principles that are universal and apply to us today. There are 6 principles in this chapter:

1. Obedience and sin each have their consequences.

God clearly set forth the principle that obedience to Him brings blessing from Him and that sin will bring forth consequences of cursing. (Implied in verse 1 from the previous chapter’s pronouncements of the specific blessings and curses.)

2. The path back from disobedience is to return to God.

When we find ourselves in disobedience the only recourse is to return to God. This is done by hearkening to His voice and obeying Him. (Verse 2)

3. Returning to God is not too difficult.

It is not beyond proper means to return to God. He has provided the way by bringing His Word (the living Word, Christ) near to us, thus making repentance possible. (Verse 11-14)

4. God calls us to return to Him.

God calls everyone to choose the path of life through the general call of the Gospel. Every man, woman, and child is responsible before God to make that choice and will bear the consequences of that choice. Blessing to the one who makes the obedient choice of life and eternal damnation to the one who makes the disobedient choice of death. (Verse 19)

5. The path of life is a path of loving and obeying God.

If we say that we have chosen life, then the evidence of our choice will be a walk that follows a path of loving God and obeying His commandments. (Verse 20)

6. We can only choose life if God enables us to do so.

The path of life is a path of loving and obeying God; verse 6 tells us that we can only love and obey God if He first circumcises our heart. God must first change the heart for man to choose God and choose His promise of life. Remember in point 3 we said that it is not too difficult to choose God through the proper means? The proper means is beyond the control of man, in fact with man it is impossible. But with God all things are possible, including raising those who are dead in their trespasses and sins to choose eternal life in Christ.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:25,26).

Catechism

Question 10

Q. 10 How did God create man?

A. God created man, male and female, after his own image (Gen. 1:27), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24) with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:28).

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God (Psalm 40:16-17).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Charles Wesley, 1739.

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
Click here for tune.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
‘Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Thought Provoker

In our day many Christians speak of a God that is so “loving” that he would never let, much less send someone to hell. I have always found it interesting that they point to the compassion of Christ as a truer expression of the nature and character of God than the God we see in the Old Testament. They seem to forget that Jesus repeatedly spoke of the need to escape the judgment and the torment of Hell, namely “The Rich Man and Lazarus” parable. In Chapter 28 God spent 54 of 68 verses enumerating punishments that sinners will (the nation of Israel in this specific case) suffer.

Dad’s Study

Matthew Henry divides the chapter into 3 parts. The first (verses 1-14) lists blessings that will come to the Hebrews if they keep the law, the second (15-44) their short term punishments, and the third (45-68) their utter destruction. When reading the blessings and the curses it is easy to draw examples from the history of Old Testament Israel of both. So how do we avoid these curses in our own life and the curse of Hell?

By righteousness. Whoa, didn’t we learn that we had no righteousness of our own yesterday? Yes, we did. But Christians (those who trust God {Romans 4:3-5}) receive the righteousness of Christ. How do we receive Christ’s righteousness? Trust him. How do you know you trust God and that he “knows you?”

Dr. Henry Krabbendam of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia teaches what he calls the “Five True Points of Calvinism” to seek assurance of God’s work of grace in your life.

1. I must. We know we must meet God’s standard to be at peace with him.
2. I can’t. We measure ourselves against the laws of God and realize we cannot live up to God’s standards.
3. I desire. I come to want to please God and escape the wages of my sin. Death and Hell.
4. I cast. Realizing I cannot please God in my own efforts at righteousness I plead with God to do a special work of Grace in my life to save me from my just punishment.
5. I do. I receive God’s assurance and I live as one He has saved.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

To appropriate Christ’s own righteousness for us we can do nothing but throw ourselves at God’s feet. The assurance we can have is to know that when one is in the mindset to “cast” we know the Holy Spirit must be at work.

A. God created man, male and female, after his own image (Gen. 1:27), in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24) with dominion over the creatures (Gen. 1:28).