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September 21 Daily Devotional

Thine Is My Heart: Devotional Readings from the Writings of John Calvin

John Calvin (compiled by John H. Kromminga)

Bible Text:

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. —Acts 1:26

Devotional:

It came to pass as no man would have looked for; for we may gather by that which goes before that there was not so great account made of Matthias as of the other; for, besides that Luke gave him the former place, the two surnames which Barsabas had show that he was in great estimation.

He was called Barsabas, as if he were some mirror, either of faithfulness and innocency, or of a quiet and modest nature. The other name indicated singular honesty. This man, therefore, in men's judgment, was superior; but God preferred Matthias before him.

Whereby we are taught that we must not glory if we be extolled unto the skies in the opinion of men, and if by their voices and consents we be judged to be most excellent men; but we must rather have regard of this, to approve ourselves unto God, who alone is the most lawful and just judge, by whose sentence and judgment we stand or fall.

And we may oftentimes mark this also that God passes over him who is the chiefest in the sight of men, that he may throw down all pride which is in men. —Commentaries


John Calvin was the premier theologian of the Reformation, but also a pious and godly Christian pastor who endeavored throughout his life to point men and women to Christ. We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for permission to use John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart as our daily devotional for 2013 on the OPC Web site. You can currently obtain a printed copy of that book from Reformation Heritage Books.

Dr. Joel Beeke, who is editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, has this to say:

"Calvin shows us the piety of a Reformed theologian who speaks from the heart. Having tasted the goodness and grace of God in Jesus Christ, he pursued piety by seeking to know and do God’s will every day. He communed with Christ, practicing repentance, self-denial, and cross-bearing. Moreover, his theology worked itself out in heart-felt, Christ-honoring piety. The selections of this devotional bear this out, and hopefully will be used by God to direct pious hearts in our own day."

These devotional readings from John Calvin were compiled by John H. Kromminga. Be sure to read his "Introduction" to John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart.

 

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