Understanding the Counsel of God

23 MAY

But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Micah 4:12

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 46:9-13

The prophet now speaks of the failure to understand the design and thoughts of God. If only that is brought before us, we will have little solid comfort and have nothing of much force or power.

But there is another principle that should be understood here: the thoughts of God are known to us who are taught in His school. The counsel of God is not hidden from us, for it is revealed to us in His Word. Our consolation, therefore, depends on a higher and more profound doctrine, which is that the faithful in their miseries ought to contemplate the counsel of God as in a mirror.

What does this mean? When God afflicts the godly, he holds a remedy in His hand; and when He throws the godly into the grave, He can restore them to life and safety. We therefore can understand the design of God to chasten His church with temporal evils. If we know this, there is no reason why the slanders of the ungodly should deject our minds. When the ungodly vomit forth all their reproaches, we ought to more firmly adhere to the counsel of God.

The pride of the ungodly should not surprise us, for if they raise their horns against God, why should they also not despise us, who are so few in number and of hardly any influence, at least compared to what they possess? The church is indeed contemptible in the eyes of the world. It is no wonder, then, if our enemies deride us and load us with ridicule and contempt when they dare to act so forwardly toward God.

It is enough for us to know that they do not understand the counsel of God.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

When we who are believers think we cannot understand God and His ways, particularly in times of evil and even death, we can take comfort in reading His Word. It tells us what is true and what is not. It assures that God loves us, even when evil people ridicule us for our faith.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

When Despair Leads us to God

16 MAY

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:32

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 11:25-30

God wants us to call on Him, not only in prosperity but also in an extreme state of despair. It is as if God calls the dead to Himself, declaring that He has the power to restore life to them and bring them out of the grave.

Since God invites the lost and the dead to come to Him, there is no reason why even the heaviest distresses should prevent access to Him for us or for our prayers, for by faith we ought to break through all these obstacles. The more grievous our troubles, the more confidence we ought to have, for God offers grace not only to the miserable but also to those in utter despair. The prophet did not threaten general evil to the Jews but declared that, before the coming of Christ, all things would be full of horror (verse 31). After this denunciation the prophet adds: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered.

Paul cites Joel's prophecy in Romans 10 and extends it to the Gentiles, so let us examine how he interprets the testimony of Joel. Paul uses these words of the prophet to prove that, since adoption is extended to the Gentiles, it is lawful for them to flee to God and to familiarly invoke Him as Father. He hence proves that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, since invocation arises from faith; for unless God shines on us by His Word, we cannot come to Him. Faith, then, is always the mother of prayer.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

There is no situation so grave, no sin so black, that negates our invitation to repent and call on the name of the Lord and be saved. God delights in saving those who cannot save themselves. Do not doubt His power and willingness to save you when you find yourself condemning the horrendousness of your sin. Take it to Him and humbly ask for His forgiveness.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Moving Forward

28 APRIL

Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. Jeremiah 38:10

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 4

Let us be courageous when it is necessary, though we have little hope of a favorable outcome. Ebedmelech might have thought that his attempt to help Jeremiah would be in vain, however strenuously he pleaded for the prophet. He might then have relinquished the task instead of boldly undertaking it.

Likewise, those who think too much about a difficult task often talk themselves into inactivity. They think, "What effect can you possibly have? You are only one person, and your enemies are many. If the king himself has been forced to yield to the anger of wicked men, how can you as an individual have the confidence to resist them? Furthermore, such tumult will be raised that you will perish in it. Meantime, these wicked men will perhaps stone the unhappy man whom you are trying to help."

All these thoughts might have occurred to Ebedmelech, and he thus might have desisted from helping. But we see that he rested not in his own confidence but in God's favor.

Let us remember his example and hope beyond hope when God require us to do something. When faith and duty demand anything from us, we must close our eyes to all obstacles and go forward in our work, for all events are in God's hands alone, and they will happen as He pleases. Our duty is to proceed, even if we think our labors may be in vain and will not bear fruit. Ebedmelech happily succeeds in rescuing the prophet because he acts as a pious and upright man in obeying God.

God will also extend His hand to us, whatever difficulties we encounter, for we shall overcome them by His power and help.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

We often overanalyze situations and attempt to justify our neglect of duty.Ebedmelech did not do this, but rather stepped out in faith, trusting that he was doing the Lord's will. He left the results in God's hands. Are we doing that today?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Trusting His Incredible Promises

27 APRIL

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. Jeremiah 31:8

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 49:1-17

Though the prophet addresses this teaching to ancient people, it contains truth that is perpetually useful. People act preposterously when they measure God's favor according to present appearances. This mistake that we almost inherit by nature involves all our thoughts and feelings. It also produces a lack of confidence in God. All of God's promises then grow cold to us, or at least lose their true value.

For when God promises anything, we look around us and ask how that can possibly be fulfilled. If our minds cannot comprehend the way and manner that a promise can come true, we then reject what has proceeded from the mouth of God. Let us carefully consider this prophetic doctrine so that when God promises what surpasses our faith and seems impossible to fulfill, this doctrine will come to our minds. Let it serve as a corrective to check our false thoughts, lest we, being preoccupied be a false and preposterous opinion, should do wrong to the power of God. 

If the deliverance that God promises seems incredible to us, let us remember that God has the power to make the blind to see, the lame to walk, the pregnant and those lying in bed to undertake a journey; for He can by His power overcome all obstacles. We shall find our faith victorious, provided we learn to rely on God's promises and firmly rest on them.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

Imagine how hard it would have been for the Jews to receive these promises in so dark a time, and yet, they were fulfilled.

We often doubt God's amazing promises because our present circumstances seem so bleak. Until we learn to fully lean on God and His promises, understanding that darkness and light are both alike to Him (Psa. 139:12), our faith will not be victorious. What circumstances are you facing today that require faith?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Weapons of the Wicked

19 APRIL

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 31

Even though wicked men exert themselves to the utmost, they will gain nothing, for their attacks are guided and restrained by the secret purpose of God. The prophet makes use of the word every here, meaning that wicked men have every means of attempting many diversified methods for destroying the church, but their efforts shall be vain and fruitless, for the Lord will restrain them. Heaven permits them, indeed, to a great extent, to try the patience of believers, but, when God so wills, He strips them of their strength and armor.
Having spoken in general of the weapons that wicked men use to attack the church, Isaiah specifically mentions the tongue, because no other weapon is so deadly and destructive. Not only do the wicked revile, slander, and defame the servants of God, but, as far as lies in their power, they extinguish the truth of God and alienate the hearts of men from it. That can distress us more than if life were taken from us a hundred times. God and upright men find slander more distressing and more painful than any stroke to the body. Therefore Isaiah has good reason for mentioning this deadly weapon of the tongue.
The wicked may assail us by arms, and by the tongue, and by weapons of every kind, yet we can rely on this prediction of the prophet and hope that we shall be victorious, for victory is here promised to us. Since we are certain of victory, we ought to fight valiantly and with unshaken courage.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:
If the attacks of the enemy are in God's hands and guided by His will, why do we fear them? Their destruction and the ultimate victory of God's people is assured. Let us seek more grace to dispense with our anxieties and trust His wisdom.

365 Days With Calvin
Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Guided to Safety

10 APRIL

The way of the just is uprightness: Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Isaiah 26:7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 119: 1-16

Let us commit ourselves to God and follow Him as our leader, and we shall be guided in safety. Though snares and artifices, strategies of the devil and wicked men, and innumerable dangers may surround us, God will enable us to escape. We will feel what the prophet says here, that our ways, even amid deep chasms, are made plain, so that there is no obstacle to hinder our progress.

Indeed, experience shows that if we are not led by God's guidance, we will not be able to push our way along rugged roads, for so great is our weakness that we shall scarcely advance a single step without stumbling at the smallest stone that comes in our way. Satan and wicked men not only entangle and delay us by many perplexities and small difficulties, but also cause us sometimes to encounter high mounds and deep pits, which even the whole world would be unable to avoid. 

It is therefore proper for us to acknowledge how much we need heavenly direction. We should confess with Jeremiah, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23).

In vain, therefore, do men form plans and deliberate and decide about their ways, if God does not stretch out His hand. But He holds it out to the righteous and takes peculiar care of them. While the providence of God extends to all, and while God supplies the needs of young ravens and sparrows and of the smallest animals, yet He has a special fatherly kindness toward the godly and delivers them out of dangers and difficulties.

John Calvin 

FOR MEDITATION:

Consider how powerless we are in so many trials - sickness, economic woes, death, war - and in temptations such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We should have very little trouble in acknowledging our need for the Lord to guide us in His paths! How has God guided you in His ways and kept you in safety recently? Ask for His aid again today.

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Resting in God’s Favor

22 MARCH

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. Psalm 116:7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 145

David now tells himself to rest because God has shown favor to him.

Is the experience of the grace of God enough to allay the fear and trepidation of our minds? That is what David seems to indicate here in saying that, since he has experienced the relief of divine aid, he can now return to rest. But if the faithful regain their peace of mind only after God manifests Himself as their deliverer, what room is there for the exercise of faith, and what power will the promises have to quiet our souls?

Surely, waiting calmly and silently for indications of God’s favor which is concealed from us is the undoubted evidence of faith. As strong faith quiets the conscience and composes the spirit, so, according to Paul, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” reigns supremely there (Phil. 4:7). Hence the godly remain unmoved, though the world around them seems to be falling unmoved, though the world around them seems to be falling into ruin.

What does it mean to return unto thy rest? However much the children of God may be driven hither and thither, yet they constantly derive support from the Word of God so that they cannot totally and finally fall away. In confiding in His promises,they throw themselves upon God's providence even while they are sorely distressed by disquieting fears and sadly buffeted by the storms of temptation. No sooner does God come to their assistance, than inward peace takes possession of their minds. Also, in the manifestation of God's grace, they are given grounds for joy and gladness.

This latter kind of quietness is what David asks for, declaring that, even though he has experienced much to cause agitation of mind, it is now time for him to delight himself calmly in God.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: The storms of life can so agitate our minds and spirits that our only option is to run in desperation to the Rock of our salvation. There we not only find relief from the temptations and attacks of life, but, by grace, we also are inwardly restored to rest, assured that God will care for us. Have you experienced this peace that passes understanding?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Waiting for God

18 MARCH

Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul. Psalm 109:20

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 30:18-26

David did not rashly or unadvisedly utter curses against his enemies but strictly adhered to what the Spirit dictated. I acknowledge that many people pretend to have similar confidence and hope, but who nevertheless recklessly rush beyond the bounds of temperance and moderation. But what David beheld by the unclouded eye of faith, he also uttered  with the zeal of a sound mind; for, having devoted himself to the cultivation of piety under the protection of Gods hand, he was aware that the day was approaching when his enemies would experience the punishment they had earned.

We learn that David's trust was placed in God alone. He did not look to people to direct his course according to whether the world smiled or frowned upon him. We can be sure that whosoever places his dependence on people will find that the most trifling incident will annoy him.

Therefore, even if the whole world abandons us, we, like this holy man, should lift up our heads to heaven and look there for our defender and deliverer. If God intends to use human instruments for our deliverance, He will soon raise up people to accomplish that purpose. But if He chooses to try our faith by depriving us of all earthly assistance, we should not regard that as any negative reflection upon the glory of His name. Rather, we should wait until the proper time when God fully  makes known His decision in which we can calmly acquiesce.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Patience in waiting for an answer to prayer, especially a prayer for deliverance, must be consciously cultivated if we are to avoid losing confidence in God and His ways. But while waiting is a challenge, the Spirit often uses it to teach us to look to heaven, not people, for deliverance. What lessons have you learned about the Lord or about yourself while waiting on Him in prayer?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited By Joel R. Beeke

The Erosion of Trust

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

Deliverance From Fear

16 February

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 2 Timothy 4:9-22

David did not look upon his dangers with a calm and untroubled mind, as if at a distance and from some elevated position. He was grievously tormented with innumerable cares and justly spoke of His fear and terror. By saying "fears," he reveals he was greatly terrified, not by one, but by a variety of distracting troubles.

On one hand, David saw a cruel death awaiting him, while on the other, he may have been filled with the fear that Achish would send him to Saul, since the ungodly are likely to gratify themselves by making sport of the children of God. David had already been betrayed once and might well have concluded that even if he escaped, the hired assassins of Saul might be laying in wait for him on all sides. The hatred of Achish had against David for the death of Goliath and the destruction of his army might also have given David reason to fear. Achish might wreak his vengeance upon David. Furthermore, he was so cruel that he likely would not be appeased by subjecting David to an easy death.

We ought to note what David says here about seeking the Lord, who delivered me from all my fears, so that if at any time we are terrified because of the dangers that surround us, we might not be prevented by a lack of courage from calling upon God. Even David, who is known to have surpassed others in heroism and bravery, did not have a heart of iron to repel all fears and alarms but was sometimes greatly disquieted and smitten with fear.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: What fears are you battling today? How can you cast them upon God and leave them with Him without becoming indifferent about them?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Releasing Fear to God

15 FEBRUARY

Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalm 31:5

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Luke 23:44-47

Though many things may distress us all, scarcely one person of a hundred wisely commits his life into God's hand. Multitudes live from day to day as merry and careless as if they were in a quiet nest, free from all disturbances. But when they encounter something that truly terrifies them, they are ready to die in anguish. They do not betake themselves to God, either because they deceive themselves with vain delusions, flattering themselves that all will yet be well, or because they are so stricken with dread and stupefied with amazement that they have no desire for God's fatherly care.

As various tempests of grief disturb us and even sometimes throw us down or drag us from the direct path of duty, or at least remove us from our post, the only remedy for setting our fears to rest is to consider that God, Who is the author of our life, is also our Preserver. Trusting in Him is the only way to lighten our burdens and preserve us from being swallowed up by excessive sorrow.

Seeing, therefore, that God condescends to take care of our lives and to support us, let us learn always to flee to this asylum. The more that we are exposed to danger, the more we should carefully meditate upon this. 

This confidence will help us discharge our duty with alacrity as well as constantly and fearlessly struggle onward to the end of our course. How then can so many people be slothful and indifferent, and others so perfidiously forsake their duty? How can they be so overwhelmed with anxiety and terrified of dangers and inconveniences that they leave no room for the operation of the providence of God?

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Few comforts are as great as that which comes from committing one's life to God's hand. Regardless of what storms arise, peace is to be found in God. What do you most fear? Consider what comfort you may find if you release your fear to God.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke