Peter tells us that Satan goes about as a roaring lion. But there are times when his followers attack us as an angered bull that charges with its horns to try to gore the one that irritated it. And keep in mind that the unbelievers are irritated when we hold God, His law, and His Christ before them. Was not Cain angry when Abel called his attention to his sinful sacrifice? And did he not kill Abel in anger?
This bears out the truth written in Psalm 75:4,5 , where we read, "I said unto the fools, deal not foolishly; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.'' And plainly the horn mentioned here is not a musical instrument but the hard, pointed weapon of defense upon the head of a bull. Just call the unbeliever's attention to his sin and warn him of God's wrath, and he will, as the bull, lift up his horn to injure and drive you away from him. Not having the grace of God in his heart the unbeliever will stiffen himself in his sin, and, as the text states, he will lift up his stiff neck to gore us.
Therefore the psalmist continues with, ''For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another." And by promotion he plainly means lifting up to what is truly good. Thus we sing:
Thou teachest meekness to the proud,
And maketh sinners know
That none is judge but God alone,
To honor and bring low.
Never mind then when the world tries to push you aside and humble you physically and materially. God is judge, and He shall in us own time put down the whole world of wicked and lift His faithful children up to heavenly glory,
Let nothing and no one make you for one moment question God's love for His church. He will because He judges us in Christ, lift us above all our enemies and unto Himself in His grace. The world's attack upon God's church is folly. We have a sure victory in Christ.
Read: Revelation 22
Psalter versification: #206:3
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #158
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
1 Kings 11
1 Kings 12:1-19
Acts 9:1-25
Psalm 131:1-3
Proverbs 17:4-5
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Quote for Reflection:
If edification of the church proceeds from Christ alone, he has surely a right to prescribe in what manner it shall be edified. But Paul expressly states, that, according to the command of Christ, no real union or perfection is attained, but by the outward preaching. We must allow ourselves to be ruled and taught by men. This is the universal rule, which extends equally to the highest and to the lowest. The church is the common mother of all the godly, which bears, nourishes, and brings up children to God, kings and peasants alike; and this is done by the ministry. Those who neglect or despise this order choose to be wiser than Christ. Woe to the pride of such men! It is, no doubt, a thing in itself possible that divine influence alone should make us perfect without human assistance. But the present inquiry is not what the power of God can accomplish, but what is the will of God and the appointment of Christ. In employing human instruments for accomplishing their salvation, God has conferred on men no ordinary favor. Nor can any exercise be found better adapted to promote unity than to gather around the common doctrine — the standard of our General.
— John Calvin, on Ephesians 4:12
Additional Info
- Date: 13-June
