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Daily devotional

December 16 - The sign of Immanuel’s virgin mother

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14 Scripture reading: Isaiah 7:1-14 The unbelief of Ahaz, king of Judah, stands in sharp contrast to the faith of the Virgin Mary. King Ahaz’s lack of faith in God was evident in how he responded to a crisis when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel joined in an alliance to attack the kingdom of Judah. Ahaz did not seek direction or help from the LORD. God sent Isaiah to meet with the king as Ahaz was inspecting the water reserves. The Lord commanded Ahaz to choose a sign, like a demonstration in the heavens. But Ahaz hypocritically refused to ask for a sign, claiming that he didn’t want to tempt God. In response, the Lord Himself gives a sign to Judah. A virgin would give birth to a child who would be named “Immanuel.” Many commentators have thought that this prophecy had a double fulfillment. They think that a virgin who was a contemporary of King Ahaz got married and then had a child. I think that the reference is solely to the Virgin Mary who, 700 years later, would become pregnant. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “virgin” refer to a young lady of marriageable age who had never engaged in the act of marriage. In fulfillment of this prophecy, Mary gave birth to the Saviour, Who was the Son of the Highest. The name “Immanuel” reveals that God will dwell with His people. God dwelt with us becoming incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He continues to indwell us by His Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would have a deep sense of how Jesus is with you by His Spirit. Pray that you would not grieve the Holy Spirit by how you use your bodily members. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 15 - Mary’s cheerful self-surrender

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” - Luke 1:38 Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38 The account of the Virgin Mary’s cheerful self-surrender to the will of God is so piercing and powerful because it is historical. It is not just a story. Even though Mary is a young, unmarried girl, she immediately believes God’s Word. It is true that her faith seeks understanding. How can she get pregnant without a man? But she believes Gabriel when he tells her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35a). It dawns on the Virgin Mary that God’s angel is telling her that she will become pregnant, have a child who is the Son of God, and that her child will be the promised Messiah. Mary gladly surrenders to God’s will. She happily submits even though people will assume that she is pregnant out of wedlock. She surrenders to God’s will even though Joseph, her betrothed, will not initially understand. She places her wedding in jeopardy. Yet Mary submits to the Lord’s will. Her response is beautiful: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). And God uses her so that she becomes, as the Creed of Chalcedon states, “the mother of God, according to the manhood.” Mary is a model for how we should respond to Christ and the claims that He makes on His disciples. When Christ calls us to follow Him, we must submit even though it means that we must take up our crosses. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would surrender to God’s wise, fatherly will, when He makes His will known to you. Pray that you would be willing to follow Christ, even when He calls you to sacrificial suffering. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 14 - God raising up a horn of salvation

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David." - Luke 1:68-69 Scripture reading: Luke 1:67-80 Zechariah’s prophecy has traditionally been called the “Benedictus” because of the opening expression: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel” (Luke 1:68). This was rendered in the Latin Vulgate as “Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel.” The title “Benedictus” is fitting because it captures the sense of this prophecy: it is a song in which Zechariah blesses God for raising up a Horn of Salvation. The aged priest was unable to speak for the nine months in which he waited for the birth of the forerunner. When his tongue was loosed, it is striking that Zechariah does not first speak of his son. Before he mentions that his son “will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76b), he speaks about One far greater than John the Baptist. He blesses God for raising “up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69). He calls the Messiah “the horn of salvation.” This is not a reference to John the Baptist. John was from the tribe of Levi. Jesus came from the house of David. Jesus as a “horn” is an exciting metaphor. A horn is the deadly weapon of the wild ox. An animal horn became symbolic of royal power and strength. By destroying His enemies, Christ saves His people. Therefore, He is a “horn of salvation.” Jesus is a horn of salvation because He is a deadly weapon which destroys death and the kingdom of the Devil. He will powerfully deliver His church from the Antichrist. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would comprehend the power that Jesus Christ is able to wield in the world and in your life. Pray that Christ would empower you by His Spirit to fight against your besetting sins. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 13 - A childless couple produces the forerunner

“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”” - Luke 1:13  Scripture reading: Luke 1:5-25 It was a tragic situation: Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless. Years ago, a woman wrote in a Reformed magazine: “I am a barren woman. A barren woman nearly past the age where I must forever give up the hope of bringing forth God’s covenant seed and the joy of ever holding in my arms my very own baby. Barren—a word full of emptiness. Empty arms, empty home, empty heart. Barren—a lonely word, full of longing for what can never be.” The gospel of Luke begins with the message that God has remembered His people. The end-time Elijah will be born. John the Baptist will be a zealous prophet, who in the spirit of Elijah, will call Israel to repentance. The Holy Spirit inspired Dr. Luke to record the personal story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were a righteous couple who prayed for a child. God intervenes to answer their prayers—years after the last prayer for a baby was uttered. The couple has grown old. The Angel Gabriel shocks and surprises Zechariah in the temple. The priest is laying incense on the hot coals in the Holy Place. He recoils in fear from the glorious angel. Gabriel announces that the aged couple will have a son. They must name him “John.” Even though he is an aged priest, Zechariah does not believe the message. But he will. And when his tongue is loosed, he will bless God. He will celebrate that his child “will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76b). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would live a daily repentant life, because the king has come. Pray for any childless couples who wish to have children. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 12 - Christ: the refiner of the sons of Levi

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” - Malachi 3:3  Scripture reading: Malachi 3:1-5 In the Chronicles of Narnia, a boy confronts the lion, Aslan, for the first time. The child is terrified by the great lion. About Aslan it is said: “He is not a tame lion.” At Christmas the world acts like Jesus is impotent and safe; they do not perceive that He is like a refiner’s fire. Unrepentant sinners have reason to fear the Lion of the tribe of Judah. In Malachi, it was predicted that Christ’s coming would be a dreadful and fearsome thing. He would destroy the wicked and purify His people. In Malachi’s day the covenant people needed refining. Men had divorced their covenant wives to marry pagan women. Even the priests of God had become corrupt; they offered blind, lame and sick animals. The sons of Levi needed to be purified. Christ is like the hot, burning fire of a refiner. He is also like a refiner who heats metals to separate the dross and impurities from precious metals. Malachi warns that when Christ comes, He will apply heat to His covenant people. He will burn up the proud and self-righteous. He will purify the poor in spirit. The unbelieving Jews could not abide the day of Christ’s coming. Jesus judged the covenant people in A.D. 70 when the third temple was destroyed. Nevertheless, Jesus redeemed and purified an elect remnant. Since New Testament Christians need to be a holy priesthood, the Saviour also needs to purify us so that we would worship Him in spirit and in truth. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would use trials to purify you. Pray that the Lord would apply sufficient heat during afflictions and chastisements so that your pet sins, which so closely adhere to you, might be burned away. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 11 - The ruler from Bethlehem

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2  Scripture reading: Micah 5:1-6 Most of us are a bit unfamiliar with the prophecy of Micah. This minor prophecy is a little-known portion of God’s Word. Although Micah is little known, our text is not. This is the one famous passage in this small book. Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. We are familiar with Micah 5:2 from the Christmas story. When the Magi came to Jerusalem seeking the king of the Jews, King Herod asked the high priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born. They answered by quoting Micah 5:2. The Messiah would come forth from a little town. Bethlehem is a symbol of God’s sovereign, selecting love. God chooses a little town so that no big town might boast that the Messiah was born in her. The great ruler will come from a little town where the youngest son of Jesse was born and raised. God often elects the lowly and common so that no man should glory in His presence. David was the youngest son. Bethlehem was “little”. God loves to save the lowly and weak, so that no one will boast in His presence. God uses youngest sons, slingshots, and little towns in His infinite wisdom so that we would not boast in ourselves, but in God alone. In contrast to the lowliness of Bethlehem is the grandeur and majesty of the Ruler who came from there. Although born in a little town, Jesus now reigns over the universe. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would recognize King Jesus’ rule in your daily life. Pray that you would submit to His royal law. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 10 - A man of sorrows

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” - Isaiah 53:3  Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1-12 Jesus was despised by men. He would experience painful rejection in His hometown. The congregation in Nazareth became furious when Jesus told them that He was the promised Messiah and that God was sovereign in showing mercy to whomever He willed. Jesus mentioned God’s sovereignty in showing mercy to a Gentile widow in Sidon during the ministry of Elijah the prophet. He also mentioned how God only chose to show mercy to one leper during the ministry of Elisha the prophet, and the healed leper was a Syrian (Naaman). Dr. Luke records how the people in Nazareth rejected Jesus: “And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff” (Luke 4:29). Jesus was a man of sorrows, as if sorrows were part of His nature. He was not just sorrowful, but the king of those who sorrow. He had a double portion of grief. The cup that He drank was bitter. His baptism was deeper than any baptism that His disciples would experience. The word “sorrows” is in the plural. Jesus had numerous sorrows. The crowning sorrow of Jesus’ life was His cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we are told that Jesus was “exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death.” He suffered all His life long, with increasing vehemence. His greatest grief came as He hung on the cross and was forsaken by God the Father. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would appreciate Christ as a Man of sorrows. Thank God that you do not need to suffer the sorrows of Hell or have the grief of being forsaken by God the Father. Thank the Lord Jesus for suffering such grief on your behalf. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 9 - The servant offering himself to the smiters and spitters

“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” - Isaiah 50:6 Scripture reading: Isaiah 50:1-11 In the third servant song, which is found in Isaiah chapter 50, the Servant of Jehovah speaks of the fury of His enemies and the spite directed towards Him. In Isaiah 50:6 the Servant of the LORD predicts that He would offer His back to smiters and His face to spitters. In this prophecy, the Saviour predicts that He would willingly present His back to strikers. He would not be compelled. He would willingly offer His back. During His ministry, Jesus emphasized His willing sacrifice: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18a). It is the voluntary nature of Jesus’ passive obedience that makes His redemptive work so meritorious and precious. He freely and willingly suffered pain and shame in our place. Jesus willingly gave His back to the Roman soldiers so that they could whip Him. The good news is that “with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5b). It is remarkable that wicked men dared to spit in the face of the Son of God. In the New World, it will take faith to believe that rebellious creatures ever dared to profane the face of such a glorious king with spittle. At His Jewish trials, “some began to spit on him” (Mark 14:65). Jesus offered His face to the Roman soldiers: “And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him” (Mark 15:19). They were able to spit at Him because Jesus gave His face to the spitters. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be willing to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Pray that you would celebrate Christ as your substitute. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 8 - The gentle Redeemer of elect Jew and Gentile

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” - Isaiah 42:3  Scripture reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew, the gospel writer, tells us that the prophecy found in Isaiah 42 was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. He describes how Jesus was healing the crowds and telling them not to publicize his miracles: “And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known” (Matthew 12:15-16). Then Matthew states that Jesus was fulfilling what was prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 42 and quotes from it. Jesus is tender with His sheep and lambs. Isaiah predicted this: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus will not break a bruised reed. A damaged reed can be in danger of getting knocked over. When a member of Christ’s flock feels weak and at a breaking point, the Good Shepherd will be patient and kind. He gently rebukes us. He redirects us without beating us senseless. When we are fragile, He is our strength. He graciously upholds and strengthens us because He knows our frame. Sometimes, our faith is like an ember, like the glowing orange on the wick of a candle after you have blown it out. We can despair of trusting in God. When our faith is weak because of trials and tribulations, Christ does not send greater troubles that snuff out our faith. He protects the ember. He restores our faith. He fans it into flame again. Such is our tender Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would strengthen the faith of each one of your family members and give them a rich assurance of their salvation. Ask God to strengthen your faith now so that when trials come, your faith can burn brightly. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 7 - Isaiah’s prophecy of the lame leaping

“Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” - Isaiah 35:6  Scripture reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 Joy pervades a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah in Isaiah 35. Isaiah has been called the gospel account of the Old Testament because it speaks so prophetically of the ministry of Jesus. When the Messiah comes there will be a radical change. This change is pictured in two ways. First, this radical change is pictured as the land of Israel being transformed from a desert into an oasis. Christ will bring about a complete, all-embracing change. He will produce shalom. The desert will flower. What was formerly desert will be as beautiful and green as Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon. Isaiah speaks of a raised causeway, a highway, on which the redeemed can travel back to the City of God. Second, this radical change is pictured by the healing of disabled persons. The lame man who needed to shuffle along suddenly leaps like a deer for joy. The mute man does not merely begin to speak, he shouts aloud with joy. The prophecy about the covenant people traveling through the desert on this holy highway was fulfilled typically when the Jews returned from Babylon. It is fulfilled as elect Gentiles come to faith in the Messiah. It is fulfilled repeatedly as individual elect sinners turn to God and as pilgrims hike towards the Celestial City. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy in His ministry of healing. He understood it as referring to His miracles. When John the Baptist had doubts about Jesus’ identity, the Saviour pointed John’s disciples to this prophecy (Matthew 11:4-5). Suggestions for prayer Ask God, in the name of Jesus, to grant healing mercies for any of your loved ones who are sick. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 6 - The nations rallying to the root of Jesse

“In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” - Isaiah 11:10 Scripture reading: Isaiah 11:1-11 Jesus was called both the root of Jesse and the shoot from the stump of Jesse. Isaiah predicted: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:1-2a). In these different ways, God predicted that a descendant of Jesse (and King David) would be the future messianic king. Even though it might seem that the Davidic throne had fallen vacant, a future king would sit on it. God predicted in Isaiah 11:10 that the nations would rally to the Messiah. The ESV translation speaks of the nations “inquiring” about Jesus. The NKJV has the nations “seeking” Him. The NIV reads that “the nations will rally to him.” Gentiles would inquire about Jesus and wish to meet Him. This prophecy was already fulfilled during Jesus’ ministry. Gentile Greeks sought out the Saviour, saying: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). In John’s gospel account, we also have the wonderful story about how many gentile Samaritans rallied to Jesus. The Samaritan woman (whom Jesus met at Jacob’s well) witnessed to her friends in the city. Afterwards, the Samaritans “asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world” (John 4:40b-42). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be excited about rallying others to Jesus. Ask God to give you grace so that you want to seek Jesus by listening to and meditating on His teachings in the gospel accounts. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 5 - The wonderful counselor

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6  Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 All these titles of the future Messiah have connotations of deity. In the book of Judges, we find Samson’s father, Manoah, asking the Angel of Jehovah what His name is. The Angel of the LORD responds that his name “is wonderful” (Judges 13:18). That Jesus is the ‘Counsellor’ implies that He has no need for a cabinet to give advice because He is the Wisdom of God. The title “Mighty God” contains the widely used name for God which is “Elohim”, a name that points to His mighty power. Christ uses His power to fight for His people. It is remarkable that the second person of the holy Trinity is called the “Everlasting Father”. This title communicates that He is the divine creator of all creatures. Even the final title, “Prince of Peace,” has connotations of deity. The word “prince” is the same word used back in Joshua 5:14 when Joshua meets a man standing with a drawn sword by Jericho. Joshua asks: “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13b). The person responds: “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD” (Joshua 5:14a). Joshua then worshipped the commander. The word for “commander” is the same as the word for “prince” in Isaiah 9:6. So all these titles point to the deity and majesty of the coming Saviour. A very human child would be born. But this child would have such high titles because He would be God in human flesh. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would meditate on the various titles of Christ during the Christmas season to appreciate the greatness of Christ and the variety of His works. Ask for grace to worship Jesus, just like Joshua fell on the ground before the pre-incarnate Son of God. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 4 - The lady who saved Christmas

“But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death.” - 2 Kings 11:2  Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 11:1-25 Jehosheba is not a household name. But she is the lady who saved Christmas. God used her hiding of her nephew, Joash, to preserve the royal line of King David. Jesus’ adoptive father Joseph was a descendent of this rescued boy. Jehosheba was a princess, a daughter of wicked King Jehoram. When Jehu seized power in the northern kingdom of Israel, he killed King Ahaziah of Judah. The dead king’s mother, Athaliah, seized power in Judah. She was the daughter of wicked King Ahab. King Jehoshaphat never should have arranged a marriage between his son, Jehoram, and Ahab’s daughter. This sweet grandmother decides that she will kill all her grandsons so that no one will challenge her right to rule. Queen Athaliah’s soldiers search the palace and murder her grandchildren. Aunt Jehosheba rescues her nephew, Joash. With her husband, Jehoiada, she hides the boy for six years. Then Jehoiada arranges for the seven-year-old boy to be crowned king. And Athaliah is executed. Thus, the royal line of David continued. Hundreds of years later Jesus would have a right to the throne of David through His adoptive father, Joseph. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for protecting the royal line of David. Praise God for raising up Jesus as the King of kings. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 3 - The sceptre not departing from Judah

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” - Genesis 49:10 Scripture reading: Genesis 49:1-12 In his blessing of the tribe of Judah, Moses stated that Judah would be the kingly tribe. Future kings would come from this tribe. The sceptre would not depart from Judah. A sceptre was an ornamented staff carried by ancient kings on ceremonial occasions which were a symbol of their sovereignty. Descendants of Judah would exercise royal authority. Historically, Genesis 49:10 has been interpreted as containing a reference to King Jesus as Shiloh. The KJV translates the third clause as “until Shiloh come.” The ESV translated the Hebrew text here as “until tribute comes to him.” “Shiloh” has been understood as a reference to the coming Messiah. The word “Shiloh” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word. The ESV does provide the following alternate translations for the phrase in question: “until he comes to whom it belongs,” “until Shiloh comes,” or “until he comes to Shiloh.” The NIV translates the phrase as “until he to whom it belongs”, implying that the reference could be to Christ to whom the royal sceptre would rightfully belong. Through his adoptive father Joseph, Jesus would have a right to the throne of David. If this passage is looking ahead to the Saviour as “Shiloh”, then the idea is that Christ will be the final and preeminent king from the tribe of Judah. It was predicted that the people would be obedient to the coming king. Christ has forgiven and redeemed us so that we would be obedient subjects. God chose us in Christ to be holy and obedient. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would submit to the Lordship of Christ and not act like the kingdom of God is a democracy where you have just as much say as King Jesus about how things should go. Pray that you would be as obedient to King Jesus as the angels are in Heaven. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 2 - The singular seed was Christ

“Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.” - Galatians 3:16  Scripture reading: Galatians 3:10-18 When God established His covenant of grace with Abraham, He stated that this covenant was made with Abraham’s seed. The Hebrew word “seed” is translated as “offspring” in the ESV. In Genesis 12:7, God tells Abraham, “To your offspring I will give this land.” In His statement of the covenant of grace in Genesis 17:7, God tells Abraham: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” God tells Abraham that the covenant promises are given not only to Abraham, but to his seed. In Galatians 3:16, the Apostle Paul makes the exegetical point that the word “seed” is singular. Translations like the NKJV translate the singular word as the plural “descendants”: “to be God to you and your descendants after you.” Paul clarifies that the original word was singular, referring to Jesus. Fundamentally, the covenant of grace was established with Christ and all His elect. Paul teaches that all the covenantal promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promises that God made to Christ, the singular Seed of Abraham, were kept. God also keeps the promises made to all who would be united to Christ by faith. Gentiles receive this promise by faith, not works. God promised Abraham that the covenant promises were for elect Gentiles as well. He told Abraham that “in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 28:14). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would have a deep sense of your sinfulness so that you would celebrate that you have received the promises due to the grace of God alone and by faith in Christ alone. Pray that you would reject the idea of doing good works to be justified. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 1 - Introduction to the incarnation

In the month of December, we reflect on the miracle of miracles, the wonder of the incarnation of the Son of God. Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures so that we could have wonderful stories about the conception, birth, and childhood of our Saviour! During this month we will begin by reflecting on how Old Testament prophecies pointed ahead to the coming of the promised Messiah. As Christmas Day approaches, we will ponder the stories that surround the birth of Jesus. We will conclude with John the Baptist introducing Jesus as the Lamb of God. As we reflect on the birth of our Saviour, we want to meditate on the astonishing events and astounding realities involved. We want to be like Mary who pondered everything she saw and heard. She mused on what the Angel Gabriel had told her. She reflected on the reports of the shepherds. She thought about who her baby boy could be. Mary is an example of faith seeking understanding. She took the time to think about what everything meant. And so it should be with us. We believe that God became a man. We have faith in Jesus of Nazareth. We worship Him, just as the Gentile magi worshiped the infant Jesus. We believe, but we do not fully grasp. We know that the person of the Son of God united Himself to a human nature. But we do not fully comprehend this reality. Both the doctrines of the incarnation and the trinity are profound mysteries. So, we ponder. We muse. We reflect. We meditate on the wonder of the ages, that the only begotten Son of God came into this world to destroy the power of the Devil and to redeem us, His people. The seed of the woman came to destroy the devil’s work “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” - 1 John 3:8  Scripture reading: 1 John 3:1-10 Why did Christmas occur? Why did Jesus come? Why did the Son of God condescend to assume a human nature? Why did God become man? Why did the Son of God personally unite Himself to a human nature? Part of the answer is that Christ came to fulfill the mother promise made in Genesis 3:15. This oldest of all promises predicted that the Saviour would destroy the Devil. In 1 John 3:8, the Apostle John writes about how Jesus fulfilled an ancient prophecy that God gave in the Garden of Eden. In the mother of all promises, God told Satan: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). God told Satan that the seed of the woman would bruise or crush his head. The Apostle John states that the Son of God came to destroy the plans and works of the Old Serpent. Christmas occurred because Christ came to destroy Satan’s attempt to rule over all humanity. It is true that Christ will punish the Devil by casting him into the lake of fire and sulphur on Judgment Day. But the Apostle John emphasizes that Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. These works include all his plans to corrupt the church. They include Satan’s work in raising up the final, vicious Antichrist. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would empower you to fight against the temptations of the Devil. Pray that angel armies would guard your children and grandchildren. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 30 - He who calls you is faithful

“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 Paul now draws the letter to a close and as we, along with the Thessalonians reflect on the contents, we must conclude that Paul has painted a glorious picture of the church. In referring to the pastorate, the fellowship and the worship of the Thessalonian congregation, he has touched on the three main relationships of church members – to their pastors, to each other and to God. They were to respect and love their pastors and elders. They were to exercise mutual care and support for fellow members and they were to listen and respond favourably to God. All of that had been taught them in this letter. What a tremendous obligation he had laid upon the members. That life of sanctification would have seemed impossible to them and it was, therefore, Paul offers one more word of encouragement. He writes, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” Paul reminds them that God, having begun His good work among them by calling them out of darkness within them by giving His Holy Spirit, would never abandon the work of His hands. God is faithful; His people often are not. God’s children are weak and often stray from the straight and narrow path. Satan was determined to tear the new saints out of God’s hand. Satan sought to destroy their new found faith, but it would not be possible. When God calls, He also grants what is necessary to fulfill the calling. That was true for the Thessalonians and the promise is still for us today. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that He is sovereign, faithful and almighty. Thank Him that His saving power is greater than Satan’s determination to destroy. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 29 - Avoiding appearance of evil

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 Scripture reading: Psalm 84:1-12 The ESV translated the text as: “Abstain from every form of evil”, but other Bible versions translate it to read, “Avoid all appearance of evil”. Although both translations are valid, in the context of testing the teachings of false prophets, and the injunction to “hold fast to what is good”, it would appear that Paul is warning about prophecies that might “appear” to be false. Calvin, reflecting on this text, observes that any teaching, not having been proven false, but yet gives the appearance of perhaps being so, is to be avoided. Any teaching based on Scripture and the “Three Forms of Unity” (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession and Canons of Dort) are to be accepted, but if an interpretation raises doubts and questions, it is better to avoid it unless and until more clarity can be given from Scripture. In other words, Paul’s advice to the Thessalonian Christians is to not only reject any and all teaching clearly in conflict with what they had been taught previously by himself, but they were also to avoid any interpretation or teaching that was doubtful or questionable. Paul’s love for the Thessalonians compels him to warn them of the danger of being led astray while on their road to God and eternity. In another place, Paul speaks of the Deceiver and those who are deceived. Here he warns of the danger of falling victim to the Deceiver by allowing ourselves to be deceived by false prophets. We need to know the Scriptures so we can test and separate the false from the true. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for the gift of discernment, enabling you to distinguish truth from error. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 28 - Test the spirits

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22  Scripture reading: Psalm 119:137-144 Paul’s admonitions in 5:12-21 ends with: “do not despise prophecies”. Prophesying was to be considered a special gift, enabling someone to interpret Scripture and it was a gift not to be despised. On the other hand, however, they were not to accept uncritically everything offered as application of Scripture. Paul instructs them to “test the prophecy” to see if it was in harmony with the doctrines Paul had taught them earlier. He is saying to the congregation: don’t despise prophecies but be sure to test them. False prophets are legion, especially in our age and culture and the tendency is to either simply ignore them or worse to accept their prophecy without critically examining the words of the prophet. Here Paul admonishes us not to believe everyone who claims to speak in the name of the Lord but to “test” them. The standard by which a true prophet can be distinguished from the false is that the true prophet will speak or teach nothing contrary to what has been revealed earlier in His special revelation. In the new dispensation, the criterion would be the revelation of God through the testimony of Christ and the apostles. We are to test all religious utterances against the teaching of Scripture. Test the spirits, says Paul. Any utterance that can’t be confirmed by Scripture is not from the Holy Spirit. Once the prophecy has been tested and confirmed, once a true verdict has been reached, hold on to that truth. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for faithful prophets who yet today climb into their pulpits and can say, “Thus saith the Lord”. Thank the Lord that you may sit under the preaching of such a prophet every week again. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 27 - On despising prophecy

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good” - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 Scripture reading: Psalm 27:1-14 The Holy Spirit had blessed the early New Testament church with certain “special gifts” or “charismata”. Among these gifts were: the ability to perform miracles of healing, speaking in tongues and prophesying. The church, in its infancy, had no complete Bible, nor did it have libraries stocked with volumes of Christian literature and reference material. They were surrounded by hostility to the gospel and in that condition, because of their lack of resources, the Holy Spirit endowed the church with these “special” gifts until the time would come when they were no longer needed. Among those gifts was that of “prophesying”. The type of prophesying Paul refers to here in text was not so much that of foretelling the future as the Old Testament prophets had done, but Paul is speaking of the special gifts given to some to explain and apply the word of God to the congregation. It was a gift given to some, for the edification and instruction of the entire congregation. Although this gift of prophecy was one of the greatest gifts to the church, ranking even greater than “tongue speaking”, yet it seems that such instruction was held in low esteem by certain members. It has always been so, even yet today. Whenever and wherever God plants wheat, Satan sows his tares. How is it now with us today? Preaching is the God ordained means of creating and strengthening faith, yet, often so many pews are left vacant, especially during the second service. How about you? Do you long for the expounding of the Word every week again? Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to create in your heart a hunger and thirsting for the Word of God. Thank Him for faithful preaching and preachers the world over. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 26 - Respect for office-bearers

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:12  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 As you go to the House of God today, think about how your church is blessed by having elders and deacons. The reports about the spiritual health of the Thessalonian congregation brought by Timothy to Paul had for the most part been very positive. However, not all of the news had been favourable. In chapters four and five, it is suggested that there existed some disorderly members in the congregation. It seems that some were loath to submit to those who had oversight. We know that the Thessalonian church had responsible leaders since Luke mentions some of them by name, but we are not told what prompted Paul to issue the admonition of verse twelve. The context suggests that there were certain people who disrespected the church leaders. There may not be a spirit of disrespect for the office bearers of any congregation. It is the will of the Lord that church leaders, especially elders, should be held in high esteem for their work’s sake. These men preach, teach, warn, admonish, encourage and comfort God’s people. They are gifts from God who are given the responsibility for the nurturing of the souls of God’s people. It is through their authority that God chooses to provide order, governance and spiritual nurture for the flock. They exist to help us on our road to God and will be held accountable to God for every soul under their care. It is an awesome responsibility and God requires that we respect, honour and submit to them; we are to hold them in high esteem. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you develop a deep love for the church and her leaders. Unless they should require of you something unscriptural, ask Him to help you to submit willingly and cheerfully to their authority. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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