Don't get too worked up about your enemies; ultimately they'll trip themselves. BibleHub.com Psalm 9, For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David. 1  I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. 3  My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. 4  For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. 5  You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. 6  Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. 7  The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8  He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. 9  The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 11  Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. 12  For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. 13  Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, 14  that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation. 15  The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. 16  The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.  17  The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. 18  But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. 19  Arise, Lord, do not let men triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. 20  Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are but men. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 15 - Reprobation Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us,  in that it further bears witness that  not all people have been chosen  but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election— those, that is, whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decree: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves;  not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but finally to condemn and eternally punish those who have been left in their own ways and under God’s just judgment, not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decree of reprobation,  which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!)  but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger. Summary Psalm 9 is actually half a Psalm, with Psalm 10 forming its second half. The overall purpose of these psalms is the prayer encapsulated in the final two verses of Psalm 9, that God would judge the nations (the nations in the Bible represent all who reject God) and strike them with terror . But this prayer is couched in hope and faith - David begins it rejoicing and singing the praise of the Most High, giving thanks and telling of all of the LORD's wonderful deeds. Like so many Biblical prayers, most of Psalm 9 falls into the categories of A cknowledging who God is and A ligning those who pray with God's will, with only a small fraction of the prayer dedicated to A sking God for what the one praying wants. The aspect of David's musical prayer that grabs our attention today is the final stanza of Psalm 9, which begins in v15. David notes the nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. In a sense, God doesn't do anything to topple the wicked; they topple themselves! This is the premise of the Biblical doctrine of reprobation that we've focused on in this past week. It's not that God forces some people to reject Him and the salvation He freely offers, rather He leaves them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, have plunged themselves. God only acts graciously: through His Spirit He regenerates those He's chosen so that we accept the grace offered through Christ. He simply and mysteriously passes over those doomed to bear the consequences of their own action.   Dig Deeper   Can you imagine praying the way David prays: that God would judge the nations and strike them with terror? We looked at the imprecatory nature of so many of the Psalms a few weeks ago in which the psalmist implores the LORD to bring injury and curses upon evil people, and once again we see it on display in this week's psalm. There's a very fine - but distinct - line between holy imprectations and sinful spite. So often, our desire for God to squash our enemies flows out of our narcissism: since somebody hurt us or somebody we love, we want them to get what they have coming, and who better to deliver that justice than God Almighty. But Jesus upended this selfish tendency, commanding us to "love our enemies and pray for those who those who persecute us" (Matt. 5:44). So how come David (and others) seem to get away with praying for the destruction of his enemies - inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so, no less? It's because the Bible's imprecatory prayers don't flow out of personal envy, spite or hatred. David calls God to rebuke the nations and destroy the wicked not just because they hurt David, or even Israel, but because they forget God. David isn't simply asking God for revenge, He's asking God to demonstrate His holy justice, which requires that God exercise vengeance against those who stand against Him and His people. It's not wrong for you to pray imprecatory prayers when appropriate, but the main focus of your prayers must be A cknowledging who God is, A ligning yourself with God's will and thanking God for sovereignly pulling you out of the common misery you plunged yourself into . Then you can A sk God to Arise - do not let men triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: That you might declare the LORD's praises and rejoice in His salvation; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Ask God to let the nations know they are only men. Read the New Testament in a year! Today: James 5

Parables are shocking stories that have spiritual meanings. Matthew 13:24-43 (NIV) 24  Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27  “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28  “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29  “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30  Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” -- 36  Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37  He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38  The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39  and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40  “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41  The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42  They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 15 - Reprobation Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us,  in that it further bears witness that  not all people have been chosen  but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election— those, that is, concerning whom God , on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decree: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves;  not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but finally to condemn and eternally punish those who have been left in their own ways and under God’s just judgment, not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decree of reprobation,  which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!)  but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger. Summary Parables are often described as 'earthly stories with heavenly meanings.' I'm not sure who this description originated with, but it's not a very good one. Jesus meant parables to be shocking stories with a spiritual meaning, and the parable we're chewing on today is a perfect example of how they work. Along with so many other parables - especially in this section of Matthew's gospel - the point of today's parable isn't just to provide some feel-good tips on living your best life now, but to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. The shocking element of this story comes when Jesus tells that an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. Jesus meant to upset His listeners with that twist. What kind of person would do that? How low and despicable! The farmer's crew, stunned to see weeds sprouting right alongside the wheat, immediately ask for permission to eradicate the problem, but the wise farmer holds them back, knowing that in the early stages of growth, it's hard to distinguish between the weeds and the wheat. Attempting to pull out the weeds early on would have the unintended consequence of significantly reducing the overall yield of wheat. But he's not without a plan of his own. He'll send a crew out right before harvest, when the differences between wheat and weed are far more evident. He'll have them collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned. Then the fully developed wheat - the ultimate purpose and goal of all the farmer's hard work - would be successfully brought into his barn.   Dig Deeper   The disciples don't get it. But don't be too hard on them - you and I wouldn't get it either if we were part of that early audience. But we don't need to speculate about what Jesus meant, because thankfully Jesus' confused crew had the gumption to ask Him what He meant by it. So Jesus lays it all out for them. Every element stood for something: the farmer and his field, the good seed and the weeds. The whole story formed a composite picture of reality: The Son of Man sowing the people of the kingdom in the world, only to have the enemy - the devil - plant the people of the evil one in the midst of God's good field. At harvest time - the end of the age - an angelic crew will follow the farmer's orders. Jesus uses more words explaining what will happen to the pulled weeds then He uses to explain the plot of the parable. The Lord's angels will weed out everything that causes sin and all who do evil, Jesus explains. These weeds will be thrown into the furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. God's choosing of some and passing over others for salvation is a deep mystery for sure, but our Canons echo Jesus' parable in making clear that although God decreed to leave some in the misery of their sin, He is certainly not the author of sin. God planted only good seed in His good field. The Enemy corrupted it with evil. Instead, our Lord is the fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger of all the evil the enemy has sowed. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who will make the righteous shine like the sun in His kingdom; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength, courage and patience to continue growing in a weed filled world. A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: James 4

Your call is clear & simple: plainly set forth the truth. drawforgod.com 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NIV) 4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2  Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5  For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 15 - Reprobation Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us,  in that it further bears witness that  not all people have been chosen  but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election— those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decree: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves;  not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but finally to condemn and eternally punish those who have been left in their own ways and under God’s just judgment, not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decree of reprobation,  which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!)  but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger. Summary Nobody likes a 'bait and switch' marketing strategy which draws people in with a wonderful product advertised for an incredibly low price, but then coerces people into buying something very different when they come into the store. Unfortunately, churches often feel the need to deceive and distort the Word of God in their evangelism by overstating the Bible's promises for a good life while downplaying God's demands for righteousness in the lives of His covenant people. We're driven to try and sell people on the benefits of the gospel because it's so evident that people are ignorant of its truths. Evangelism then becomes the means by which we show them the blessings they're missing out on, rather than the call to repentance and self sacrificing discipleship that Jesus and the apostles commanded. Today's passage helps explain that people don't reject the gospel because they're not yet convinced of its blessings, but because the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds have been blinded by the god of this age. In other words, our efforts to dress up the gospel in ways that seem to appeal to the prevailing culture are as useless as decorating the cell of a blindfolded hostage. One of the best strategies that the god of this world (Satan) has is distraction. He keeps people so busy and consumed with chasing after the shiny things in the world so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.   Dig Deeper   The Bible never explains to us God's reasons for opening the eyes of some but leaving others in their blindness. But it does make very clear, in today's passage as well as so many others, that people's inability to see the gospel is not because of some sort of inherent flaw that makes the gospel difficult to see. You can see its wonderful truth only because the same God who said 'Let light shine out of the darkness' as He called the world into being has now made His light shine in your heart to give you the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. The gospel doesn't need our embellishment or salesmanship in order to finally make it attractive enough to capture the attention of the world. Rather, the evangelistic strategy you must follow is clear and simple: set forth the truth plainly... For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who made His light shine in our hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will equip you to set forth the truth plainly; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: James 3

God's patience has a limit. faithlife.com Proverbs 1:20-33 (NIV) 20  Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21  on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22  “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23  Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 24  But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25  since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26  I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— 27  when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28  “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29  since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. 30  Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31  they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32  For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33  but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 15 - Reprobation Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us,  in that it further bears witness that  not all people have been chosen  but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election— those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decree: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves;  not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but finally to condemn and eternally punish those who have been left in their own ways and under God’s just judgment, not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decree of reprobation,  which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!)  but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger. Summary So much of the book of Proverbs is the story of Wisdom , personified as a lady seeking wayward sons following the call of her adversary, Lady Folly. Right away here in the first chapter, we're introduced to Wisdom as she calls out, rebuking those who've lost their way. Notice how she characterizes the essence of sin: delight in mockery and hatred of knowledge. She calls out with a one word imperative that comprises the Bible's primary command: repent - turn back from the hatred of knowledge and simplistic thinking! To those who listen when Wisdom calls, she will pour out her thoughts and make known her teachings. And whoever listens to me , she promises, will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Sadly, so many people refuse to listen when Wisdom calls. They disregard all her advice and do not accept her rebuke. You didn't need verses 24-25 to tell you that - you see it writ large each and every day in the way people around you live; indeed, even in the way you're tempted to live! But calamity will overtake like a storm, and disaster will sweep over like a whirlwind upon those who've ignored Wisdom . For , she says, the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.   Dig Deeper   It's somewhat shocking to see how Wisdom responds when the foolish finally do cry out in the midst of the calamity and disaster they've brought upon themselves: I in turn will laugh and mock ... They will call and look for me, but I will not be found or answer them. This seems completely contrary to the conventional idea of God so many people cling to: that He's just longingly waiting for us to turn to Him, and when we do He'll quickly spring into salvific action. But the Canons painfully remind us today that God, like His emissary Lady Wisdom, is not eternally patient. Those who will not accept His advice and spurn His rebuke will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. In other words, God gives people what they want; to those who continually ignore the Bible's oft repeated calls to repent , God allows them to harvest the effects of the ignorance they cling to. He, as the Canons put it, leaves them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves. But to those whom God has chosen to spiritually regenerate recognize the unsurpassed beauty of godly knowledge and wisdom. They heed God's call to repent by turning from their simplistic thinking to choosing to fear the LORD. Thank God for calling you out of worldly ignorance, and pray that you will continue to grow in Wisdom. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God of knowledge; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will reject simple ways, mockery and instead build up godly knowledge and wisdom; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: James 2

What does Jesus mean when He thanks God for hiding the truth from some? faithlife.com Matthew 11:25-26 (NIV) 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. -- 25  At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26  Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 15 - Reprobation Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us,  in that it further bears witness that  not all people have been chosen  but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election— those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decree: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves;  not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but finally to condemn and eternally punish those who have been left in their own ways and under God’s just judgment, not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decree of reprobation,  which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!)  but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger. Summary All three of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke, which give a synopsis of Jesus' life, as compared to John's gospel, which reports fewer of the details, but gives more theological insight as to who Jesus is) have a pivot point right near the middle where Jesus' tactics change significantly. Whereas in the first half of His ministry, Jesus heals lots of sick and performs many miracles, He drastically reduces His supernatural activity in the second half. Our passage today gives some insight as to why it is that Jesus made this change. We opened today's passage with Jesus doing something unexpected - He began to denounce / openly criticize (NET) the towns in which most of His miracles had been performed. Since so many people understand Jesus to be infinitely accepting and tolerant, the fact that He might have harsh words for anybody - let alone entire towns - likely comes as a surprise. Notice what it was that raised His ire. It wasn't the fact that they weren't thankful for or impressed with the miracles He had performed that made Him upset, but rather that even after having witnessed them they did not repent (remember, the word repent means to change your thinking ). Jesus goes on to make it clear why His miracles didn't achieve His desired outcome: these people considered themselves to be wise and learned , and therefore they had no desire to change how they thought. But the children among them - not just those who were young, but those who realized their spiritual ignorance and desired to truly know God - they received the good news that God had revealed to them.   Dig Deeper   The words Jesus uses as He prays to His Father sting. Jesus acknowledges that the primary reason the people who witnessed His miracles weren't convinced of their need to repent is that His Father had hidden these things from the wise and learned. Jesus doesn't seem upset by this. He even praises His Father for doing so. The only explanation Jesus gives for the Father's actions only seems to increase the mystery: God hid these things (the truth as to who Jesus is and how to achieve salvation in His name) because this is what the Father was pleased to do. But why would God be pleased to do such a thing like hide the good news of the gospel? Jesus doesn't answer that question for us, but He does make it clear that God hid this truth in plain sight. After all, Jesus plainly announced to all that the Kingdom of God had come near and that people needed to repent (Matt. 4:17). But the reason that this precious truth remained hidden is because those who were content with their worldly wisdom and learning had no desire to look for anything different. This week we'll be wrestling with one of scripture's most difficult doctrines: reprobation , which bears witness that not all people have been chosen but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election . But as we begin, remember the context Jesus places this teaching in: the fault lies with those who miss what's been hidden in plain sight, not with our Father. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father: Lord of heaven and earth; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the spiritual curiosity of a little child, that you would not miss the gospel which our Father has revealed. A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: James 1

Learn how & why you can worship God at all times. faithlife.com Psalm 96 1  Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 4  For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. 7  Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. 9  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. 10  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 11  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 13  Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-11 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 13 & 14 - The Fruit of Our Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election,  God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God,  to adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies,  to cleanse themselves,  and to give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them.  This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it,  make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.  By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. By God’s wise plan,  this teaching concerning divine election was proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times.  It was subsequently committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures.  So also today in God’s church,  for which it was specifically intended,  this teaching must be set forth with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.  This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of God’s people. Summary You might be surprised to find out that Psalm 96 isn't just the 96th Psalm. It's also found in 1 Chronicles 16 as the pattern for praise that King David gave to his newly appointed national choir director, Asaph, on the day that the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem from the Philistines. In many ways, Psalm 96 is the 'job description' for all those who praise the Lord! Hopefully the upbeat nature of today's Psalm was obvious to you, but given its importance as the manner in which to give praise to the LORD (1 Chr. 16:7), it serves as a perfect guide for you to enact the imperatives given to you in this week's articles from the Canons of Dordt. As one who's been unconditionally elected by God, you must give fervent love to the One who first so greatly loved you. Here's how you do that: NOISILY & EXPRESSIVELY, YET REVERENTLY: Loving and praising God is far from an exclusively somber and quiet endeavor. Psalm 96 commands you to sing to the LORD, praise His name, proclaim His salvation, and declare His glory and marvelous deeds among all people. You must confidently say among the nations that the LORD reigns! Yet there certainly are times where silent reverence is the appropriate form of praise: all the earth must tremble before the splendor of His holiness . THEOLOGICALLY: In order to properly praise the LORD, you must know who He is and why He deserves such praise: The LORD made the heavens, and strength and glory are His. We're commanded to ascribe to the LORD (2x) - this means that we're to give God the credit for that which He's done, and not attempt to scientifically or logically explain away the glory due His name. COMPREHENSIVELY: It's so easy to limit the concept of worship to music, as if our weekly worship both begins and ends with the songs that we sing in church (or as is often sadly the case, the songs that are sung to us by professional praise bands). But Psalm 96 shows how all of creation is involved in God's worship: the heavens must rejoice, the earth be glad, the sea resound, the fields be jubilant, the trees must sing... in fact, all creation must rejoice! This means that the aspects of God's creation that are under your control must be stewarded by you in such a way that they praise God (notice the commands given to nature are in passive terms - it's up to you to take action to make it happen).   Dig Deeper   For some reason, Reformed theology often gets explained in sets of five points. We're spending this year coming to understand the five doctrines of grace ( T otal depravity, U nconditional election, L imited atonement, I rresistible grace, and P erseverance of the saints). But it can also be described in what have come to be known as the five solas of the Reformation : 1) Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) 2) Sola Fide (Faith Alone) 3) Solus Christus (Christ Alone) 4) Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) We don't have time to unpack all that the first four mean today, but if you want to get a good understanding of the fifth one, Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone - Psalm 96 is an excellent definition! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father: great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will sing, proclaim, declare, ascribe, worship, and say the LORD's sovereign glory in your activities today; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Galatians 6

Don't let frustration over God's secret things cause you to miss the truth He's given you. Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV) The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-11 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 13 & 14 - The Fruit of Our Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election,  God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God,  to adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies,  to cleanse themselves,  and to give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them.  This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it,  make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.  By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. By God’s wise plan,  this teaching concerning divine election was proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times.  It was subsequently committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures.  So also today in God’s church,  for which it was specifically intended,  this teaching must be set forth with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.  This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of God’s people. Summary Chances are that you zeroed in on just one phrase from today's short passage: the secret things . That phrase probably doesn't sit well with you since you live in a world where openness and transparency are the expectation, and secrecy is associated with scandal and coverup. As we work through the Canons this year, our focus is on the tremendous benefit we gain from their doctrines as we come to understand that God's grace is stronger than we are. Scripture has already demonstrated beyond doubt that God unconditionally chose you out of sin and misery to be redeemed and made new by the blood of Christ, and because this choice was made by an immutable, sovereign God, you can be absolutely certain nothing can ever change it. Praise God! Maybe even as we're just beginning our journey you've already wondered why so few Christians talk about these concepts that are suddenly bringing you so much comfort and peace. The reason will soon be apparent. We're going to come to the end of the path before we come to the end of our questions, and rather than face this frustration, most people just simply avoid the path. Scripture never answers one of our most burning questions: why did God chose some but pass over others. That's one of God's secret things . It's not wrong for you to ask the question, but God gently reminds you here not to expect an answer. After struggling through these very same questions, John Calvin, whose name is associated with these doctrines of grace (not because he invented them, but because he so clearly explains them from scripture) ultimately concluded that whenever the Lord shuts His mouth, I must desist from my inquiry.   Dig Deeper   If you only zero in on the secret things , you'll end up missing the huge blessing promised in today's verse: that the things revealed belong to us and our children forever! God has made so much known to us, first of all in His creation - by studying the amazing order and intricate design of the universe He spoke into being, we learn so much about its creator. But God has revealed Himself much more clearly in His Word, through which we read of our salvation that comes by grace alone, through faith alone, and because of Christ alone. All of this revelation belongs to you! Take ownership of it! Learn to dig into it and do the hard work of understanding what God is saying and why what He says is so important. Apply its truth to every aspect of your life. Teach it to your children - it belongs to them too! But notice that this knowledge is given to you with one specific purpose: so that you may follow all the words of God's Law . God doesn't reveal Himself to you so that you can have a slightly nuanced understanding of the world around you. He intends that this information He gives to you should shape and guide every aspect of your life, and that it should especially lead you to salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, to whom the secret things belong; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that having received God's revealed truth that you would follow all the words of His Law; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Galatians 5

The LORD's Servant judges the wicked and tenderly restores the broken. wiirocku.tumblr.com Isaiah 42:1–9 (NIV) 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2  He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4  he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 5  This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6  “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7  to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8  “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9  See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-11 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 13 & 14 - The Fruit of Our Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election,  God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God,  to adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies,  to cleanse themselves,  and to give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them.  This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it,  make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.  By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. By God’s wise plan,  this teaching concerning divine election was proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times.  It was subsequently committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures.  So also today in God’s church,  for which it was specifically intended,  this teaching must be set forth with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.  This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of God’s people. Summary This is the first of four passages in Isaiah dubbed the Servant Songs which describe the coming Messiah (the most famous of these Servant Songs is Isaiah 53 , which we read a few weeks ago). The LORD here announces, Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. His purpose, says the LORD, will be to bring justice to the nations (this purpose is mentioned four times in the first four verses) . It's the gentle nature of the LORD's servant that stands out in this first announcement: He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. In a passage that we'll likely come back to this year, we read that he will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. In other words, even as this servant serves justice to the wicked, He will lovingly support those whose faith is bruised and nearly extinguished. It's not as if the LORD sends out His servant from afar and hopes for the best. Quite the opposite - the LORD is personally involved in every aspect of your salvation! The LORD called His servant ; He takes hold of His hand; The LORD will keep Him and will make Him to be a covenant light for the Gentiles. God equips His servant to bring salvation to His people, to open blind eyes, free captives, and release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. You can completely trust these divine promises because of the character of the One who makes them: God the LORD, the Creator who spreads out the earth, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it - The very God who declares and announces new things before they spring into being. God did all of those things simply by speaking... Imagine what He will accomplish for you as He personally accompanies His servant to bring you to salvation!   Dig Deeper   One of the criticisms of the Canons of Dordt (a.k.a. the doctrines of grace or Calvinism) is that they are overly reliant upon Paul's epistles in the New Testament, as if the concept of God's sovereignty in our salvation isn't really a huge emphasis in the Old Testament or the teachings of Jesus. It wasn't until after Jesus ascended back into heaven that Paul came along and subtly twisted how we ought to understand these concepts, or so the argument goes. The Canons today remind us that this concept of unconditional election that we've been coming to understand these last few months is not just a Pauline idea, or even just a New Testament concept. But as part of God's wise plan , these doctrines of grace are just as prevalent in the Old Testament - often even more so! So far in 2025, we've read 64 Bible passages together, and nearly half of them have been from the Old Testament (28). Only 16 of our passages have been from Paul's letters (25%)! It's Old Testament passages like today's from Isaiah 42 that demonstrate the amazing continuity of God's Word from beginning to end. Your salvation has been fully accomplished by our Triune God: Our Father - the creator of the heavens and the One who gives breath to people - will put His Spirit on His servant, who of course is His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose name is the LORD; He will not yield His glory to another; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for His comprehensive and consistent Word, and pray for the strength and wisdom to live according to it; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Galatians 4

Make every effort to confirm your calling by adding to the faith God gave you. 2 Peter 1:3-10 (NIV) 2  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3  His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-11 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 13 & 14 - The Fruit of Our Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election,  God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God,  to adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies,  to cleanse themselves,  and to give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them.  This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it,  make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.  By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. By God’s wise plan,  this teaching concerning divine election was proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times.  It was subsequently committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures.  So also today in God’s church,  for which it was specifically intended,  this teaching must be set forth with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.  This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of God’s people. Summary You've been given everything you need for a godly life. That little snippet from the beginning of Peter's second letter forms a good summary of what we've been learning so far this year as we've read the Bible together, being reminded that we've been chosen and equipped by a God whose grace is stronger than we are. One of the big criticisms people have about these Doctrines of Grace is that they'll produce flabby Christians who just passively float through life content to just 'let go and let God,' since everything is under His sovereign control anyways. It's led to the moniker of being the 'frozen chosen.' Why would Calvinists ever lift a finger, some wonder, if God doesn't need our help with anything? People who think this way - whether they're critics of Calvinism or hiding behind it - would do well to read what Peter (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) has written here. On one hand, you've been given everything you need by the divine power of the One who has sovereignly called and elected you to receive it. But on the other, this gift obliges you to make every effort to add to it and confirm it. For Peter, passiveness is impossible for those who understand that God has unconditionally elected them to salvation. The last thing we ought to be, writes Peter, is ineffective and unproductive. His words become even harsher, claiming that whoever fails to add to their faith is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.   Dig Deeper   Notice how it is that you've been given everything you need: it comes through our knowledge  of Him who called us. The word translated here as knowledge means more than just knowing a bunch of general facts and trivia. It's through theology, which is the knowledge  of God's glory and goodness, that He enables you to participate in the divine nature!  In other words, the amount of growth you experience as a Christian is predicated on the amount of learning about God you do. Learning is an eternal endeavor for those who've been unconditionally elected. God has for sure given you faith - you wouldn't have it otherwise - but Peter reminds you here that you have a responsibility (Paul calls it an obligation - Rom 8:12) to add to your faith. Notice that everything Peter calls you to add is character related: goodness, knowledge (general, not just theological), self control, perseverance, godliness, affection and love. Our culture coaches us that good things come to those who work hard, but the reality Peter lays out here demonstrates that those whose top priority is building their character to reflect Christ are those whose theological knowledge makes them effective and productive. You are to do this hard work simply because you've been created in the image of a hard working God and chosen by Him to be given everything you need for a godly life . Yet your efforts are not without benefit to you. As you do this hard work, you're confirming your calling and election by making God's grace in your life evident to yourself and others. Furthermore, if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ - whose power has given us everything we need for a godly life; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength and desire to make every effort to add to your faith which you have been given; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Galatians 3

God says to you: Peace, peace, to those far and near... I will heal you. credit: @66elcamino Isaiah 57:14-21 (NIV) CONTEXT: The first half of Isaiah 57 describes the fate of those who refuse to repent before the Day of the LORD. This second half speaks of God comforting the contrite. 14  And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” 15  For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16  I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created. 17  I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. 18  I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, 19  creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” 20  But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 21  “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-11 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 13 & 14 - The Fruit of Our Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election,  God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God,  to adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies,  to cleanse themselves,  and to give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them.  This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it,  make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.  By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. By God’s wise plan,  this teaching concerning divine election was proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times.  It was subsequently committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures.  So also today in God’s church,  for which it was specifically intended,  this teaching must be set forth with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High.  This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of God’s people. Summary God provides an astounding insight into His character as He speaks to us in today's passage. We read that He is high and exalted and that He lives forever and His name is holy. These, of course are amazing statements in and of themselves, but they're not particularly surprising, since we read language similar to that so often in scripture. So it makes sense, then, that such a high and holy God would live in a high and holy place. But what's so amazing about v15 is that we learn here that God has more than one address that He calls home. Not only does He live in the high and holy place we would expect, but He also lives with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit! It's no wonder Jesus said that the poor in spirit and the pure in heart are blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and they will see God ! The reason the LORD gives for His surprising second residence is even more endearing: He does so not to provide oversight in your life like an intrusive supervisor ready to tee off on your every mistake, but rather to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite. God is very aware of your sin; in fact, He has seen your ways and was enraged by your sinful greed and willful ways. But here He promises not to accuse you forever, nor will He always be angry... He will heal you and guide you and restore comfort, creating praise on your lips.   Dig Deeper   The Canons remind us here that God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God as you become more aware of God's election in your life and the assurance it brings. Today's article calls you to three additional imperatives, all of which rise out of passages like what we just read in Isaiah 57. You are to: 1) To adore the fathomless depth of God’s mercies...  v18 - I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners 2) To cleanse themselves... v14 - Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people. (In other words, get rid of anything that's getting in between you and God) 3) To give fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved them. v19 - You must give expression to the praise the LORD has created on your lips. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the high and exalted One, who lives forever and whose name is holy; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that each day you will humble yourself in recognition of God's election in your life, adoring, cleansing and giving fervent love in return to the One who first so greatly loved you. A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Galatians 2