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Rejoicing in Exaltation

What counts is not what men think of us. What counts is what God judges us to be. When presently the Antichrist appears, men will say of him what we read in Revelation 13:4 , namely, "Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" What God says of him however is, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword" ( Revelation 13:10 ).

Therefore he that wavereth spiritually "is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" ( James 1:6 ). But read now verse 8, where we have this awesome truth, which we considered yesterday, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." And now take hold of the wonderful truth in verse 9, where we read, "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted."

What counts is not what men think of us and judge us to be. What counts is what God says of us. Therefore, when temptation arises, do not ask yourself, "What will I get if I do this?" Instead, turn from that evil, and do what God tells you to do. Then the answer is, "Rejoice, for in God's eyes you are exalted." Be judged to be in low degree by sinful men, because you will not walk with them in sin; but rejoice in that God has exalted you and judges you far above those who walk in sin.

The truth in which we can rejoice is that God calls those who refuse to walk in sins, wherein they are tempted, His born-again children. He calls them citizens of His glorious kingdom of heaven. Of them He declares that they will dwell with Him in heavenly glory, when Christ returns at the end of time.

What interests you? Are you concerned with what men of this world say about you; or is your concern with what the holy God, Who controls all things and is sending His Son in judgment, calls you to be? If you walk in love to Him, you have reason to rejoice. You are exalted by Him as His children.

Read: James 1:1-12

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:

II Kings 1 
II Kings 2 
Acts 13 
Acts 14:1-7 
Psalm 139:1-24 
Proverbs 17:19-21

Quote for Reflection:
"That world, in the midst of which we have our life and walk, tempts us to leave the way of righteousness and to follow after the lusts of the flesh. Sometimes it attacks us by its vain philosophy, attempting to toss us to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Then again, it tries to entice us by its treasures and pleasures, offering them to us if we will only forsake the way of truth and righteousness and become unfaithful to our Lord and Father in heaven. Again, it threatens us with the fury of its wrath, deprives us of name and position in the world, mocks and blashemes, or even erects scaffold and stake, to terrorize us into the denial of the name of God and our Lord Jesus Christ."  – Herman Hoeksema in The Triple Knowledge (pg. 617)

Last modified on 21 June 2018

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  • Date: 21-June

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