The Weekly Encourager – June 26, 2015 – Can't Sleep? Try Calvin.

When I can't sleep, I pick up the Bible or some other godly book that engages my mind. Oh, did you think my title meant that Calvin will put you to sleep? Gotcha! I have found that often, when I can't sleep, the problem is that my mind is going round and round on something, and I can't get off the topic. Forcing myself to read something that involves actual effort to concentrate (especially at 3 AM) redirects my thoughts. This year a group of us are reading Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, so that's become my go-to book for sleepless nights.

Last night I was reading the section on the Ten Commandments. Since I've been studying idolatry for a Bible Study group, I was particularly interested to read what Calvin says about the first commandment. “I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:1-3 Here are some nuggets of encouragement I found.

On the “I am” statement, Calvin writes, “It would be monstrous for us to want to withdraw from his rule when we cannot exist apart from him. God first shows himself to be the one who has the right to command and to whom obedience is due....then he attracts [us] with sweetness...in this promise: 'I will be their God, and they shall be my people.' It is as if he had spoken as follows: 'I have chosen you as my people, not only to benefit you in the present life, but also to bestow upon you the blessedness of the life to come.'” What balm to my soul! Then Calvin discusses the “brought you out of Egypt” phrase, in which God was “reminding Israel of his recent benefit, a benefit of such marvelous and everlastingly memorable greatness as also to remain in force for posterity. Moreover...the Lord means that they have been freed from miserable bondage.” This dramatic deliverance was not just for the nation of Israel, but a type of every Christian's spiritual deliverance “from the devil's deadly power.” Every time we remember this magnificent gift of freedom, it should move us powerfully against “the crime of ingratitude.”

Now to the “no strange gods” command. What exactly does that mean? Calvin says the purpose of this commandment is to establish the Lord's pre-eminence and complete authority. “Therefore, in forbidding us to have strange gods, he means that we are not to transfer to another what belongs to him. Even though there are innumerable things that we owe to God, yet they may be conveniently grouped in four headings: (1) adoration, (2) trust, (3) invocation, (4) thanksgiving. (1) 'Adoration' I call the veneration and worship that each of us, in submitting to his greatness, renders to him….[We] submit our consciences to his law. (2) 'Trust' is the assurance of reposing in him that arises from the recognition of his attributes, when – attributing to him all wisdom, righteousness, might, truth, and goodness – we judge that we are blessed only by communion with him. (3) 'Invocation' is that habit of our mind, whenever necessity presses us, of resorting to his faithfulness and help as our only support. (4) 'Thanksgiving' is that gratitude with which we ascribe praise to him for all good things.”

Calvin says that, in order to keep this commandment, “true religion must come first, to direct our minds to the living God. Thus, steeped in the knowledge of him, they [our minds] may aspire to contemplate, fear, and worship, his majesty; to participate in his blessings; to seek his help at all times; to recognize, and by praises to celebrate, the greatness of his works – as the only goal of all the activities of this life.” What rich treasure upon which to meditate. Let this become our prayer: Lord, direct our minds to You. May we be steeped in the knowledge of You so that we may adore You, trust You, turn to You in trouble, and thank You always.

I thank the Lord for giving me songs in the night. Sing His praises!

God is faithful,
j

These quotations are taken from Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, edited by John T. McNeill, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, Book Two, Chapter 8, pp. 379-383.