1 MARCH
Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled
against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; because they believed not
in God, and trusted not in His salvation. Psalm 78: 21-22
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: John
3:14-21
To remove all thought that divine
wrath was unduly severe, the enormity of the guilt of the Israelites is
described by the psalmist: They believed
not in God, and trusted not in His salvation. Indisputably, promises were
made to Israelites which they should have assented to. However, extreme
infatuation which carried them away from God prevented them from yielding to
those promises.
Trusting in the salvation of God
means leaning upon His fatherly providence and regarding Him as sufficient to
supply all our needs. From this we learn how hateful unbelief is in the sight
of God. We learn that the true nature of faith is and what its fruits are. True
faith is when men quietly submit themselves to God, being persuaded that their
salvation is singularly precious in His sight. It is being fully assured that
God will give them whatever they need. We are led to surrender ourselves to Him
to be governed according to His good pleasure.
Faith is the root of true piety.
It teaches us to hope for and to desire every blessing from God. It also
persuades us to be obedient to Him, even while those who distrust Him are
murmuring and rebelling against Him.
Furthermore, the prophet teaches
that pretences to faith, which are made by those who do not hope for salvation
from God, rest upon false grounds. When we believe in God, the hope of
salvation is speedily produced in minds. This hope renders to Him the praise of
every blessing.
John Calvin
FOR MEDITATION: Trusting God’s
salvation is the essence of spiritual life. Unbelief is pledging allegiance to
Satan. How can we learn to exercise faith more consistently and to hate
unbelief more profoundly?
365 Days With Calvin
Selected end Edited by Joel R.
Beeke
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