Be Organized And Ready

1 Chronicles 27:1-2 - This is the list of Israelite generals and captains, and their officers, who served the king by supervising the army divisions that were on duty each month of the year. Each division served for one month and had twenty-four thousand troops.  Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was commander of the first division, which was on duty during the first month. There were twenty-four thousand troops in his division.

 

David was a master organizer…some of his last years spent recording the brilliant plans for providing year round military protection.  He divided his 288,000 troops into divisions of 24,000 per clan…and assigned them active duty only one month of the year. The plan accommodated the needs of all the people in times of peace.  David’s plan accommodated the necessary…constant watch we must have in our lives for trouble.

 

Perhaps David was preparing the kingdom for concentrating on building the temple.  He knew it would take a massive amount of people to complete the huge temple that had been planned….but he did not want to leave the nation unguarded or weak against enemy attacks. David understood the concept that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 16:13… “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

 

I have to admit…I sat longer than usual at the computer this morning…wondering what organizing the military had to do with me.  I pondered the cool concept of a soldier only being on active duty for a month….and how that could strengthen the broken families and stress of the way our nation currently deploys way more than David’s system. 

 

Then God broke through my unfocused brain…and allowed me to see the hidden wisdom in just being organized and ready for anything. Whether it be our military…our families… our church…or the new school year I am getting ready to start. God calls for us to be organized and ready for anything….so we will be strong…courageous….and stand firm in what God has trained us to do for him.

 

Jesus spoke firmly to the disciples that last night before he gave us the best gift anyone ever gave to anyone.  He told them in Matthew 26:41…. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Pretty calm and sweet words if you ask me… for a bunch of men who had fallen asleep when Jesus had asked them to pray. So loving of our Savior to just simply remind them to be more watchful…instead of bash them for being so selfish and sleeping when he was dying in a few hours.

 

So I guess I had better work a little harder at being organized… so I can spend more time watching for satan to throw a trick into my pathway. My flesh is as weak as the next guys…and teaching hasn’t gotten any easier over the 31 years I have been in the classroom. I need to watch…and pray…and study…so I can be ready whatever God tells me to do.

 

Father…I thank you for this reminder that I need to be organized and ready to do the work you call me to do. I need to keep a close watch on the enemy…so satan can’t trick me into falling away from your will.  Instill in me the strength …and courage…and wisdom I need to recognize the work you call me to do.  Amen.

We Are Gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 26:13-16 -  Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.  The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.  The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons.  The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guard was alongside of guard:

 

David continues to assign duties to the tribe of Levi…so that the temple would be fully staffed…and everyone would know their role in caring for God’s house. They needed priests to be in charge of the treasury…priests to judge and keep the vast territories working together with God’s laws always in front of their hearts…and still other priests to serve at the temple gates.

 

Whether they be called gatekeepers…or guards…their duties included more than just standing at the four temple gates…and important roads that led to the temple.  Some were posted throughout the night to simply watch for intruders or unclean elements that might try to enter the temple.  Others kept careful checks on the furniture and utensils used in the sacrifice rituals…making sure they were always in working order for the ceremonies. Still others stored…organized…and maintained the food supplies for the priests.  And some simply counted and organized the gifts and offerings that were not burned on altars.

 

It dawned on me as I was researching these many duties …that I too am a gatekeeper. 1 Corinthians 6:19 clearly records Paul’s words… “ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”  For when Jesus came to die on that cross for my sins…the temple veil was torn from top to bottom… and God left that inner room to reside in every heart that accepted the gift his son gave to all who would believe.

 

I must assume the many duties of these priests…keeping my life organized….maintaining the gifts he gave me to serve him…praying over how he wants me to share the many blessings he gives me every day.  I must keep constant watch for anything that threatens to lessen my relationship with him…and guard my heart …so nothing can enter that is unclean.

 

Father…thank you for reminding me that this body I live in…is not my own.  It is your temple…and I must be a better gatekeeper…to guard all that is good you have placed there.  Help me to keep better watch over my heart...and recognize satan when he tries to trick me into accepting something unclean as good.  Give me the added strength and courage and wisdom I need to guard my heart….and keep it a place that you would be proud of. Amen.

Music...More Than Just Words And A Melody

1 Chronicles 25:1-3 - David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.

 

David did more for worship than just organize the priests that would offer sacrifices and offerings….he organized 24 more groups of Levites to bring true praise to the temple at all times.  He organized them into a ministry of prophecy and singing praise to God accompanied by musical instruments.  During their service in the temple…they wrote many of the psalms we find mixed with David’s great works.

 

Heman is credited with writing Psalms 88….one of the sadest songs in the book of Psalms.  It was written to be sung …accompanied by the zither….cymbals and lyres …perhaps to remind us to cry out to God day and night….no matter how bad our situation is ...no matter how long he takes to answer our prayers.

 

Asaph is credited with more than one Psalm…his name appears before Psalm 50 and  73-83.  He spoke through the Holy Spirit…while instruments helped him focus on Gods great love. His songs are all different….but seem to focus on how God judges his people…and how we must find ways to follow all of Gods laws.

 

Jeduthun’s name does not appear on any Psalms to indicate he contributed context…but David calls him his chief musician three times…and says that Psalm 39….62…and 77 were ‘dedicated’ to him.  David must have written those three psalms ...just for his friend and appointed minister of music in the church.

 

The importance that David placed on the ministry of music in the church reminds me how important music is to preparing our hearts and minds for worship and praise. The melodies calm our stressed minds like David’s harp soothed Saul’s troubled spirit. The words of the carefully chosen songs help focus our minds and hearts on the needs of our souls.  The music helps release our inhibitions….and help us forget ourselves…and remember the real reason we came to worship in the first place…to honor God and tell him how much we love and thank him for all he does in our lives.

 

Maybe David’s reasons for organizing a music ministry need to be revisited and refurbished in the church today. It seems his real reason for establishing this in the temple was for all of us to learn to praise and worship God on a more personal level.   Like the words of Matthew Henry …  “If the Spirit of God does not put life and fervor into our devotions, they will, however ordered, be a lifeless, worthless form.” 

 

Father….thank you for the music of David and his vision of how music can lead us into more meaningful worship of God.  Thank you for recording so many of his works…and the works of his music leaders in Psalms.  Help me to appreciate the music provided in my church…and use it to release the stresses and worries I carry into the church.  Show me how to allow music to soothe me when I am upset…and lift my soul to higher levels of love when I am praising you and worshiping you. Amen.

Do Your Part

1 Chronicles 24:1-3 - These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.  But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.  With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.

 

Aaron’s descendants had grown into quite a large number….there were so many that David could organize them into 24 groups.  According to several commentaries…they rotated serving God in the temple for a week at a time. The only time all 24 would serve together being the festival and holiday periods they observed.

 

Since the Bible doesn’t really explain why…one can only theorize why David felt the need to organize the priests this way.  Perhaps it was because the land that God had granted them was so vast…and the priests had been spread out to allow people to worship closer to their home. David wanted all the priests to have a chance to serve in the permanent temple his son would build for them to worship. Maybe the reason had more to do with the strong emotions and responsibilities the job required.  David saw a need to limit the time to one week…so they would not get burned out in continual service.

 

My mind is having a hard time wrapping itself around what this has to do with me.  I am sure no pastor…and the church today is certainly not organized this way.  Maybe it is a simple reminder to support my pastors more…to pray that God help me know where he can use me to help them the most.  We have enough members that no one should have to do any one job forever…perhaps if we rotated duties like David’s plan…all of us would have a chance to serve in some way at least once a year.

 

Father…thank you for this scripture that shows how you organized your priests so long ago.  Thank you for David’s vision of sharing duties with others…so that all who believe in you can experience your love in more than one way in the church.  Help me to know where you can best use me to build our church into the ministry for others in our city that you want it to be. Show me where I fit into your plan. Amen.

Worship Takes More Than One

1 Chronicles 23:28-30 -  The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God.  They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.  They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening

 

David realized his age was limiting his ability to rule with all his heart….so he called together the leaders of Israel to have Solomon anointed king.  At the time 38,000 Levites were counted as viable men to serve God in the temple alongside Solomon.  David took the initiative to divide them into groups…so that every aspect of worship could be given detailed attention….and worship could be its very best.

 

The high priest was always chosen form Aaron’s descendants…but it took more than a high priest to insure that worship was always at its highest in the temple.  There were at least 24 other jobs to complete…so that everyone who brought a sacrifice to the temple….was able to experience God to his fullest….as they handed it over to the priest for the sins they may have committed. 

 

What a great reminder that we are all important to the healthy function of the church.  From the custodians who clean the house of God…to the Pastor who delivers the words of God….we all have a part to play in making sure everyone who comes to worship can feel the presence of God in that sanctuary.  Worship simply requires the combined effort of many people…many jobs…both before…during …and after a service.

 

Some of the jobs are listed here can be combined with Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:11-12…“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Let’s add to that the need for worship music… and ushers….and greeters….and  I think we may have touched on David’s vision of the church he wanted his son to build for the God he loved so very much.

 

Father...thank you for David’s heart …that saw a vision of complete worship to a God who called for us to praise and revere his holiness.  Help me to consider my part in keeping my church ready and prepared for others to come and worship you. Speak clearly to me the job you would have me do for you in the church…whether it be teaching…cleaning….cooking….singing…or preaching.  And as you speak jobs to the others in our many churches…organize us like David organized this first temple….so that worship will always please you…and drive our hearts to love you more and more each day. Amen.

God Doesn't waste Anything

1 Chronicles 22:18-19 -  He said to them, "Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has handed the inhabitants of the land over to me, and the land is subject to the LORD and to his people.  Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD."

 

David’s emotions were overflowing with thanks and awe that God would spare his life…and command the angel he had sent to destroy Jerusalem to stop….simply because of his great love and mercy.  It moved him so much that he picked the threshing floor where it had all happened to be the new site for the temple.  He called for his son Solomon…told him the whole story…prayed for God to give him the things he would need…and then charged him with the task of building a grand house for God to live in.

 

Then he called the leaders together and reminded them of all that God had done for the people of Israel…how he had delivered the many enemies into their hands…and brought peace to them at last. He charged them with devoting their heart and soul to seeking the Lord…he wanted them to understand that they needed to pursue God with every fiber of their being.

 

Perhaps David was thinking back to all the mistakes he had made in life….his lust over Bathsheba…the murder of Uriah…the prideful census…and the pain and hurt it had caused so many people. The consequences of his mistakes would always be there to remind him how important it was to focus completely on God…to remove the distractions that pull our attention off of God...so satan is not able to trick him into making any more mistakes. 

 

It is a reminder to me this morning that God does not waste anything….the site of this tragedy…became the holy grounds for God to live forever in a great temple.  All the mistakes I have ever made will continue to bring consequences forever…but God can still use them for good.  He is in control…and he has plans to prosper…not harm us…to give us hope for our futures….just like he told us in Jeremiah 29:11. 

 

Father…I thank you for this reminder that you love us so much you can make our mistakes into lessons of hope and good for others.  Help me this morning to focus completely on you…and remove the distractions form my life that cause me to take my eyes off you…so you can use me to deliver your message of hope and love for the future. Show me how to share my mistakes with others so they will not be wasted. Amen.

Guard your Heart Against Pride

1 Chronicles 21:1-4 -  Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, "Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are."  But Joab replied, "May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord's subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?"  The king's word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem.

 

It was a time of great satisfaction for King David.  His army had become so numerous he wanted the men counted. God did not order it…David was tempted by satan to do this thing. Even his close military leader Joab knew it was a thing of sin…but David did not listen…and allowed satan to trick him into a count of the men that had no purpose but that of pride.

 

My eyes and heart stuck on the words of the Life Application Commentary in my Bible…it said that there was a fine line between confidently relying on God’s power and becoming proud because you have been used of God for great purposes. The words rang true…and soaked deep down in my soul. 

 

Pride has been called by many names….arrogance…conceit…smugness…vanity…superiority.  It crosses that fine line quietly…before we even know it was lurking close by our side. It waits for the perfect opportunity to slip into our heart…and begin to twist the reliance we have on God into a reliance on the skills that he developed in us for him to use.  And because God loves us…there is a Joab waiting…to remind us that we may have crossed the line…and allowed satan to trick us into thinking that we somehow deserve…or have worked hard enough to earn the gifts he has given us ourselves.

 

Oh the price we pay when we allow pride to rule and win like David.  Seventy thousand people died because of his choice…for God’s punishment was great….and Jerusalem was almost destroyed.  If it had not been for the repentance of David’s heart…and the compassion and mercy of the father to lessen his original sentence…the city he loved so much would have been wiped out.

 

It is a solemn reminder to me that with great gifts and deeper understanding of God’s power and love…come the responsibility to watch out for satan all the more.  He is waiting to lure us back away from total reliance on God….just like he did Adam and Eve in the garden.  He wants us to believe that we can do it on our own…but just because we know the difference in good and evil…doesn’t mean we will make the right choices without calling on God to help us.

 

Father…thank you for this reminder to guard my heart from pride.  Help me today to remember to ask you for your guidance and direction.  Help me remember that everything I have and will receive belong to you…and I must always rely on you to tell me what to do with it. Keep me from crossing over the fine line…and believing satan’s lies for even one second… always trusting in your great power instead.  Amen.

Choose Forgiveness Over Bitterness And Hate

1 Chronicles 20:1-2 -  In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins.  David took the crown from the head of their king--its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones--and it was placed on David's head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city…

 

One of David’s many talents was his ability to fight.  God had given him a passion to rid the land of all the people who threatened his nation’s worship of God. He was both a warrior and leader in battle…collecting plunder from his battles and dedicating it to God’s service...most of it going into storehouses…to be ready for his son …whichever one God picked…. to build a temple.

 

Spring was a time of war in this season of time.  The kings would spend their long winters…unable to mobilize the troops in harsher weather...plotting the next move they would make.  The strong emotions from planning a battle would burst through just as the weather warmed the land…and allowed the troops to carry out the carefully laid plans.  The release of bitterness and hate …built up over the long winter….provided energy for their battles.

 

God used this phenomenon to build a strength in his people…to build a passion to help them in battle.  But it seems that satan stole the idea and continues to use it to tear us away from God’s pure love.  He takes and plants a seed of bitterness and hate in our hearts…and convinces us to keep it there…so it will fester….and increase in intensity.  And one day we go out…and it explodes into a scene…of ugliness that does not resemble God in any way.

 

I am guilty….and could tell you story after story of how I messed up…and allowed satan to control my anger…and use it to build unhealthy habits…that kept me from understanding God’s more controlled love…and compassion. The worst story was when bitterness and hate exploded one day and tricked me into thinking a divorce was my only option. I am still trying to repair the damage it did to my children.

 

I can also tell you how he has transformed me into a much more loving person…with a new heart of compassion…where bitterness and hate used to be. I could share with you how his forgiveness has taught me how to forgive.  Because he forgave me for my many mistakes…I am able to forgive others that hurt me.

 

Father…I thank you for this story that reminds me that you are a loving God that forgives…and even teaches me how to forgive others.  Help me to use the time you give me to study and plan how I can best serve you…so that when satan tries to trick me into getting angry…or tries to plant a seed of bitterness…I will have your strength...your words to battle him with. Amen.

Don't Let Crazy....Keep You From Trusting Others

1 Chronicles 19:2-4 -  David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David's men came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him,  the Ammonite nobles said to Hanun, "Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? Haven't his men come to you to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?"  So Hanun seized David's men, shaved them, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away.

 

David had spent some years in an alliance with Hanun’s father…so when he died …he wanted to send his sympathy…and let the son know that the alliance was still valid.  But David’s message of sympathy was never accepted…for the nobles that surrounded Hanun…spoke ill of David’s intentions…and convinced Hanun that these men came to spy out the land…and get battle information…so David could come back later and take his kingdom for himself.

 

It cost Hanun his kingdom….ironically a self-fulfilling prophecy...because he accepted the words of his nobles over the evidence of his father’s friendship with a neighboring king. David only went to battle to save the face of his messengers…who had been so embarrassed by the carefully chosen tactics of Hanun. The shaved beards…and cut robes that exposed their nakedness…was more than they could bear….and they had to live in a strange town until their beards grew back.

 

Why is it… the human side of us wants to think the worst of people?  I know that we live in a world of crazy….and some of that crazy is really scary…and we worry.  But that tendency to be afraid of any more  crazy makes us doubt anything good.  We become like Hanun’s nobles…and second guess even the good intentions of those around us.

 

Maybe this story is placed in the Bible to remind us that sometimes…we really need to believe people at face value…and to trust others the way God trusts us. I mean think about it…how many times have you made a promise to God in a dark time...then renege on it…..let go of that promise… when it life got easier. God sure didn’t take his love back from us….just because we did not keep out side of the bargain.  God loves us no matter what….and takes us right back when we realize our sin…he trusts us to do his will….and gives us free choice to follow him.

 

What’s more…is that God will chase after us…like Jonah…till we get it right.  Or sometimes he places a burning bush in front of us…like Moses…to get our attention.  And other times still…he takes our sight….and speaks to us from the sky….like Paul…until we realize what God really wants from our life. God gives us opportunity after opportunity to come back to his love and serve him like we promised that first day we gave our hearts to him…he never leaves us alone…he walks with us …even when we don’t ask him too. 

 

Father…I thank you for this story that reminds me that your trust of me...requires me to trust others more.  Help me to believe the best in people instead of the worst.  Guide my heart to trust others more…and build a trust in them like you have trusted me. Forgive me for the many times I have thought the worst of someone…and missed a blessing from being their friend.  Give me new eyes to discern the tricks satan lays before me ...to keep me from trusting others. Amen.

Dedicate Everything You Have To God

1 Chronicles 18:9-11 -  When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,  he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze.  King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek.

 

David’s reign was so blessed by God that he overcame the Philistine army that had fought against Israel since he was a boy.  He conquered the neighboring kingdom of Moab…and killed all the Syrians that came to help them.  These countries paid large sums of money to David….as a tribute. This king… Tou of Hamath…saw the power that David had to conquer his nation…and was overjoyed that he had already conquered one of his enemies lands….so he sent him congratulations and gifts…in order to build an alliance.

 

David’s humble heart accepted the gifts for what they were…and then dedicated them to God…so God could decide how best to use them.  It even tells us that this wasn’t the first time David had dedicated something to God...for David dedicated all the spoils of the wars he received from fighting with other nations...to the God that had placed him upon the throne of Israel….and promised to keep his sons and family as heirs forever.

 

It is a huge reminder to me that what we receive as blessings need to be dedicated to God…before we decide what human use they have.  David took some of these spoils…the gold…silver and the bronze…and set it aside…saved it for Soloman….to build God’s new home…a grand temple. We are not told what David did with the rest…but my heart tells me that most of it was saved….because David had been convicted of living a little too high and lofty just a few chapters back.

 

God has blessed me with so very much…but I admit in this moment…I can’t remember taking each thing he gave me and dedicating it to his service. I can however learn from David….and begin in this moment to place my knees on an altar…and thank him for what comes my way today…and even take a moment to thank him for any good thing he gave me I might have forgotten to ask him to bless.  I can dedicate all that I have in my possession in this moment…to his service…and ask him what he wishes me to do with it from this moment on.

 

Father…I thank you for this reminder that everything I have belongs to you.  Thank you for the blessings you have showered on me and give me ears and eyes to listen to how you would have me use it to bring more people into an understanding of your love. Send me clear directions of how I should use the resources you have given me…make them clear…so I will see and hear your voice plainly.  Thank you God….for allowing me to be your child….for sending your son to pay any debt I owed so that I could enjoy your love ...with no fees involved. Amen.

If You say Wait....I Will Wait

1 Chronicles 17:16-18 -   Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?  And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God.  "What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant….

 

David’s heart bothered him…because he had a finer home than he had provided for his Lord.  He was ready to build God ….the finest temple…of the finest materials…to honor the one true God of Israel.  But God had other plans for David…he was going to use David’s skills to conquer the neighboring kingdoms that worshiped other Gods….and usher in a time of peace…for one of his sons to build the temple.

 

And as soon as Nathan the prophet revealed God’s plan to him…he went straight to the tent of his Lord...and sat before him…and prayed.  David’s prayer was a humble prayer…that recognized his unworthiness to even be king…full of thanksgiving and praise for what he had done for him so far….and awestruck wonder at the promises God had made to him about his future.

 

David wanted to build God the grandest house anyone had ever lived in…but allowed his heart and soul to listen so well to God’s plan that he was willing to wait ….and let one of his sons….have the honor.  David’s heart was focused so completely on God that he could hear and follow his directions …no matter what they were.  David was so in tune to God’s plan for him...that it made perfect sense for one of his son’s to build it instead.

 

David’s humility and acceptance of what God told him is a model for all of us that think we have it all figured out.  I may have a grand scheme to praise and honor God…but it will mean nothing if it is not God’s will for me.  I need to be like David… humble….thankful….and ready to listen to and accept God’s plan…whatever it may be.

 

Father…thank you for this story that reminds me that you are welding together a great plan for my life.  Help me to be like David…and listen when you speak….so I can make sure I am doing what you want…and not what I want.  Help me be so focused on you Lord that I hear every word you whisper to me…to give me directions…to stay as close to you as I can. ....so if you tell me to wait...I can use your strength and power to wait.  Amen.

Sing A Song Of Praise To God In Your Heart

1 Chronicles 16:7-11 - That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD:  Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.  Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

 

The Ark was safely home….resting under the tent David had dedicated to house it.  He assigned a high priest to be in charge of the sacrifices that would be brought…and musicians to continually sing God’s praise.  Then he wrote a song…a song of thanks...and praise…a song that called for all to remember the wonderful attributes of the God they served…a song that called for them to always look to God for strength in the future.

 

It is good advice…to give God praise.  We need to praise him for the good things he blesses us with daily…and the storms he leads us through.  We need to thank him in all that we do…large or small….good or bad…miraculous or simple.  We need to be telling everyone around us of the great things he had done for us…singing his praise….and glorying in his holiness.

 

And how could it ever be a bad thing to seek the Lord…or look to him for strength.  I just can’t imagine life without God…without seeking his direction in the Bible each night…and lifting my head to spend some time meditating on what I read…to ask God how it applies to my life…to form a simple prayer each morning to ask his help throughout the day.

 

I can tell you my life without him was markedly different…I knew of him…and was taught some of the great stories in his book. But I sure didn’t have a passion to study or learn it for myself.  My life was a continual confusion of good and bad…my prayers were lifted in irregular moments of deepest need…and my heart was as fickle as they come.  I lived for me…selfishly…thinking I deserved good things simply because I claimed to be his child…complaining every moment things did not work out in my favor.

 

Now I realize that I deserve absolutely nothing…I am just a simple woman…a sinner…who struggles every day to keep her heart where it belongs.  I deserved death for my sins…but God granted me a grand pardon…even offering his own son to die in my place.  I am nothing without his great mercy …he is my everything…the only one who deserves any praise.

 

Everything that God drops in my lap as a blessing is a great gift….that simply shows his great love for me.  And anything that happens ...that I might perceive as bad… is either a test…or a training session to teach me something new about God’s character…that he is trying to build inside my heart.  God is good…all the time…all the time …God is good.  In the bright sunshine he is easy to see…but hidden by the darkness of satan we must focus a little harder to see his glory.

 

Father…thank you for this song that David wrote to try and express his deep love for you.  Help me to write a song in my heart to praise you more often…to show you how much I appreciate all the things you have done for me. Help my song bring to my heart the need to seek you all day long…to help me keep the sky bright with your love…so satan can not succeed in hiding you from me any more. Amen.

The Bible Can help You Correct Your Mistakes

1 Chronicles 15:1-4 -  After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.  Then David said, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever."  David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.  He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites…

 

David’s attention was turned away from regaining God’s land for a time…as he built palaces for himself to live in…and a new tent for God to live…a tabernacle worthy of the God who was always there for him when he needed it. Then he called all of Israel together to tell them he was ready to bring the Ark home ..he had done his homework…studied the law of Moses…and knew how to do it right this time.

 

The roll call of leaders in the Levite tribe did not just count the men…but organized them into groups.  There would be ministry groups set aside to care for the tabernacle…..those that would assist the people in their sacrifices…and many more were set aside to organize the many musically inclined people into orchestras… choirs ….song leaders…and bugle corps that would lead the procession of priests returning the Ark to its newly prepared home.

 

This story is a reminder to me to never allow my mistakes to freeze me in sorrow and pain….and allow the fear of the unknown stop me from discovering the true will of God for my life. David did not allow his bitter anger and sadness over the loss of Uzzah to be the last say so.  David searched his heart and the word of God for the reason why God did not honor his move of the Ark the first time…his research and prayers leading him to discover directions God gave Moses…so he could correct his mistake.

 

When David discovered the answer…he organized the priests…and went quickly to get the Ark.  It was a grand procession…where everyone was allowed to praise and worship God the way their heart told them to honor God.  They danced before the Ark…and sang songs…and played harps…and listened to the bugles announce the return of God’s presence and glory in their lives…the presence that resided in the box God had told Moses to build do long ago.

 

Its true…we have all sinned…made at least one mistake…and for some of us that mistake cost more than just ...us…some serious hurt.  And God simply does not want us to stay locked in bitterness…anger…or hate from the hurts, habits or hang ups that satan has tricked us into thinking are permanent.  He expects us to search his word and pray for answers and guidance…then act quickly to organize what he tells us to do…so that his love can be spread to others….instead of staying locked in our hearts.

 

God did not lock Adam and Eve inside the garden...he sent them out to work through their sin and try to fix the problem they had created.  God did not lock Moses up for murdering that Egyptian guard…he allowed him to run to Jethro’s home…so he could train him to be a great leader for his chosen people.  God does not want you locked up in whatever mistake has you frozen in this season of life…he wants you to search the scripture and pray for your new purpose…so he can use your mistake to lead others to his love.

 

Father…I thank you for this story that reminds me that you always have a plan …that requires me to look for your guidance and directions…so that you can help me correct what I have done wrong…and even make amends to those I may have hurt in my bad choices.  Give me a new passion to understand and study your word…so I can know how you want me to live my life….so that it can be used to share he great love you have for all of us.  Make me brave and courageous….so that you can use all of the talent’s you gave me….to their fullest potential. Amen.

One Prayer Does Not Fit All

1 Chronicles 14:13-17 -  Once more the Philistines raided the valley;  so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.  As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army."  So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.  So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.

 

The Philistine army heard about David being made the new king and attacked his kingdom quickly. They went against him in full force…but lost the battle ...because David stopped to pray for God’s guidance and direction.  God handed the Philistines over to him in an easy defeat….and allowed him to destroy many idols of Baal that day.

 

But the Philistines must not have gotten the message…and they attacked him once more a few days later.   David asked God once again what to do….and was told that he would win…but he needed to fight in a different way this time.  His directions from God told him to circle around the Philistine camp….and listen to the tops of the balsam trees for the timing of when to strike out.

 

It is a reminder to me that one prayer does not last our whole lifetime….or even a week or a day.  God does not give us one direction for our lives that works in all situations.  God requires that we seek him in all that we do….large battle…or small decision….we should constantly be asking God what to do.  He has unique directions for each and every moment he allows us life….we should never assume that God always wants us to handle things the same way he told to handle it the first time.

 

I am guilty… leaving God out of a lot of small decisions.  It seems crazy to my heart to ever leave him out of a big decision…but it as easy as sliding that debit card for the groceries to never ask for his input in the small things.  I guess I had better stop thinking that I know what God thinks is best for me in any matter...and always stop and ask him what to do…small or large.

 

Father…I thank you for reminding me this morning that I need to always say a prayer…to ask you what to do…in all the situations I find myself…large or small.  Help me to stop and pray all day long …about the groceries I purchase… where to buy the gas I put in my car…...whether to walk a few miles…or rest on the couch and watch a movie.  Help me Lord to be like David…and stay in your will because I stop and pray for your directions in how to proceed….with any aspect of my life. Amen.

Prevent Disaster By Studying God's Word

1 Chronicles 13:8-12 - David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.  When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled.  The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.  Then David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.  David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?"

 

The pathway to Jerusalem was lined with all the Israelites…celebrating the return of the Ark Of The Covenant to the city where they felt it belonged.  They danced before the oxen cart….and sang songs of praise to God….rejoicing with each other as they returned the tablets with God’s commands to Jerusalem.  David led the group….so happy that God had finally allowed him to begin his reign as king…so overjoyed from his love of God…that he danced in sheer ecstasy. 

 

But David’s joy quickly turned to fear and anger as he watched Uzzah die before his eyes. The cart he had rigged to carried the Ark hit rough terrain...and Uzzah reached out a hand to steady the Ark before it fell to the ground…. breaking the orders of God to never touch the Ark.  God struck him dead instantly…while all watched on in horror.  David ordered the Israelites to stop…and carry the Ark to a nearby home…where it stayed for 3 months…while David just wondered how he would ever be able to move it the entire distance to Jerusalem without further calamity.

 

We almost always bring about disaster in our lives when we step out on our own understanding of what God wants in our life.  David’s mistake was not stopping to research the rules of moving the Ark…before he decided a simple cart and two priests would suffice. They had neglected God’s word for so long that they had no clue they were doing anything wrong.

 

Our lives with God require careful balance…we can only use the spirit he gives us …if we understand the boundaries he described in the word he left us…to know how he wants us to live our lives.  Disaster will come upon us in a moment’s notice when we step outside of the rules he gave us to live.  The joy we think we have will be turned to sorrow and fear in an instant if we fail to follow his word.

 

Father...thank you for this story that reminds me I am only smart and wise when I allow you to reveal your true wisdom through your word.  Help me to never be so confident in my own understanding that I try to move ahead of you again.  Help me to embed so much of your word in my heart and soul that I know the way to go without bringing sorrow on those around me because I step out on my own. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Holy Spirit Come Affirm Our Hearts

1 Chronicles 12:17-18 -   David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you."  Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: "We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

 

After David had been anointed king for the third time….great warriors flocked to his kingdom be a part of his military.  They were strong men…courageous and determined…well practiced in their skills…at the peak of their physical strength.  But one thing David could not determine with his eyes was their heart…so he went out to meet them…and spoke bluntly to them about their intentions.

 

It was the Holy Spirit…who saw a need to intervene…that came down and spoke through his military chief Amasai.  The words spoken through Amasai by the Holy Spirit put all doubt away from David’s heart…so confident was he about the hearts of these men that he made them leaders of his raiding bands.

 

It was one huge celebration…as they all gathered around the city and ate and drank…for three days!  Other cities even sent food and supplies to the enormous party they had in their joy. God had answered the fervent prayers David had prayed for so many months in those caves….by allowing his enemy Saul to die.  God had raised David up to be king of all Israel…..and rallied the men around him he would need to carry out God’s plan for his chosen kingdom.

 

David wasn’t the only one that was relieved and joyous over Saul’s death…. seeing the anointing of Samuel so long ago finally become a reality in his life. The people of Israel were ready for a change….they had suffered under the rule of Saul…and looked forward to what changes David might make.  The spirit did more than just affirm the hearts of the men who came to fight for David…it lit a passion…a fire in the hearts of all who heard the words of devotion spoken to the new king.  They were thirsty for God to be relevant in their lives once more.  They were thirsty to see the power God had manifested in his people….in all the stories they had heard about the days of Moses.

 

That’s what we need folks…the Holy Spirit to come down and light a fire in believers all over the world.  Like the he is trying to light in my home town….where he has given my church a vision…of a larger church…and ministries that would fill a 55 acre plot of land.  We called the spirit down to dedicate it Sunday…June 30…and poured oil out on the corners of the temporary tent that was erected to shelter us from the elements. We ate and ate and drank pop…and tons of water. God even sent us a rainbow that evening after the service….that sent a warm chill to my heart as my eyes traced its origin to the exact spot we had picked to start the construction of the new church. It is amazing to hear the progress of paying the note completely off….and how quickly God is providing the funds to make our church vision a reality. 

 

We left the tent up for a week…and held revival services every night.  It was the first tent revival I remember being a part of since I was a child.  Many people were saved…and the spirit reaffirmed the passion in many of us to work a little a harder at making God relevant to our lives. It was a grand celebration I hated to see end….my heart wanting to leave the tent up until the new church is erected....just like the tabernacle God lived in so long ago….just like David and his men as they celebrated the anointing of a new king…and the possibilities of how God would reestablish himself among them.

 

Father…I thank you for sending your spirit so long ago to ignite a passion in the hearts of these people.  Send your spirit once again to ignite a fire and passion in my heart as well….to make sure that everything I do is in line with your plan for my life.  Help me to celebrate the small steps you help me take towards loving you completely…and always listen for your spirit to guide me….so I can quickly be the servant you need me to be…and lead others to your amazing love. Amen.

Humbleness...the Antidote For Pride

1 Chronicles 11:1-3 -  All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.  In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' "  When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the LORD had promised through Samuel.

 

The day had finally come when all of Israel recognized the calling on his life…and the leaders of Israel formally anointed David as king over the entire kingdom.  It had only been around 20 years since Samuel first anointed him king when he was 15…and just around 7 since the split kingdom of Judah had anointed him king…making this the third time he had been consecrated to this lofty position. The death of Saul…who refused to believe God had anointed anyone other than his sons…cleared the way for them to give complete power to David.

 

This was no simple matter for David…for he immediately made a contract with these leaders…and signed it in the presence of God…confirming before man the power God would have over his reign as king. It must have been one awestruck moment for him as they poured that oil over his head for the third time...confirming the call on his life he had waited for since he was 15

 

It must have erased for good any doubt satan had placed in his heart while he hid in caves from Saul.  It must have melted away any seeds of bitterness or anger over losing his best friend Jonathan.  It must have erased any fear…hurt…or sadness he had felt over the last 20 years or so…lifting  his spirit to new levels….and confirming for the third time he was following the will of God.

 

One thing God had definitely placed in this man was a true sense of humility.  For in this moment he allowed it to rule his heart. His heart had to have grown a few sizes that day…as he listened to the leaders remind him of the job God had ordained him to do when he was just a teen.  It made the combining of the two nations an easy task…the contract they signed binding them all together in God’s will for the kingdom.

 

It is a simple reminder to me to check pride at the door to my heart…and allow God to grow my own heart into a better likeness of his own.  Maybe I need to quote David’s Psalms  25:9 each morning … “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” Perhaps then I can realize the power humility can give to a heart that has been deceived by satan …made to wait over twenty years for its purpose to be fulfilled…and chased into caves to preserve its life.

 

Thank you father for this story of David’s humility…and the reminder to work toward having more humility in my own heart.  Teach me Lord how to be humble…in all that I do…so I can use the power it can give to my heart…to grow into your servant…and be used to spread your gospel.  Guard my heart from any trick of satan today…to replace the humbleness you have already given me with his evil pride.  Amen.

Obedience Is Active And Passive

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 -  Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,  and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

 

The Israelites were doomed to lose the battle from the start.  Their leader had left God out of the battle…even consulting mediums to plot his future.  And Saul paid for his disobedience with his life…as well as the life of his three sons. God knew this day was coming…and had already anointed David to be the next leader of Israel.

 

Saul had plenty of chances to obey God…but his jealousy and pride had kept his heart preoccupied with survival.  Saul’s  mind had forgotten the one who had anointed him king…so God allowed his death…and the death of his sons …so that his next choice for king could try to do a better job. 

 

Saul’s disobedience was both passive and active. He neglected God…and the distance that was created by his non-existent relationship with God… simply gave his heart permission to do whatever he wanted.  His life became one bad decision after another…totally ignoring any law God had written to govern his life.

 

Ouch...two reminders in one story!  My heart…and soul…and mind… should always be searching for ways to get closer to God.  My Bible study time increasing every day…my prayer time growing….my relationship with him intensifying till I am so full of his words…and so clear in his plan for my life that I have no doubts which direction he needs me to go. The active obedience of searching for him with my every breath will naturally result in a passive love that drives everything else I do…his love spilling over from the small heart I have into the lives of others.

 

Once more…I am hit in the face with my own insight…God making it clear that my hour or so of Bible study and mediation in the morning is not nearly enough to support the relationship he wants me to have with him. I simply must find more ways to incorporate learning more of his word into my daily routines.  I should find more time to pray...not make excuses that the other minutes of my day are filled up with other things.   Instead of moaning that I can’t sleep some nights…or questioning why he woke me up at 4 again this morning…and rolling back over to sleep once more…I should hit my knees right on the carpet beside my bed…and ask him to bless that time with some good God time.

 

Come to think of it…. Jesus woke in the early morning hours sometime to pray.  Maybe the lines to God are less crowded at 4…cause most others are still asleep. My heart wants to think that God never sleeps anyway….he is available 24/7…rain…sun…storm….sickness…or health.  His heart aches to hear from us…and most days we barely shout good morning on our way out the door to enjoy the world he created for us.  Guess I had better change that habit….and at least sit and drink some coffee with him…and tell him about my plans for the day…see if he approves of all my choices. All it can do is build a closer relationship with him.

 

Father…thank you for this reminder that my Bible study and prayer time need to be increased.  Help me to find more time to study and mediate on your word….filling my heart with all the ammunition I need to fight off the best laid plans of satan.  Show me more times in the day when I can slip into a prayer time with you…and not just petition you with the things my heart needs...but listen to what you need from me.  Create in me a clean heart oh Lord…that is drawn to spend more time with you than I do with anyone…or anything else you have placed in my life. Amen.