Saturday, February 26: 2Chronicles 1- What would you ask for?

After reading this chapter, I spent most of my time wondering what I would ask for if God gave me the same offer Solomon got, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (7).

Honestly, I don’t know how I would respond. I am pretty sure I would not have been as magnanimous as Solomon.  That tells me God has a lot of work left to do on my heart.

How about you, what might you have asked for? Now what do you think that says about you and the state of your soul?

Lord, I have much spiritual growth left to do.  Please keep working on me. Amen.

 

Friday, February 25: 1Chronicles 29- Life's legacy.

What’s my life legacy?  That is the question I found myself contemplating as I read the last events of David’s life.

Yesterday David charged the leaders and his son to remain faithful to the Lord. Today David gives a huge gift for the building of the Temple. He follows his gift with a grand prayer and praise to the Lord. Then he leads the entire assembly to praise and bow down to the Lord. Those are powerful images of legacy.

I mused about my legacy. Will I leave a significant gift to further God’s kingdom? What will be my final words to family, friends, and associates?

Next, I wondered what a chronicler would record about my life and my legacy.

I realize that these are all hypothetical questions that hopefully are decades away and this led to a final thought. How shall I live today so that I will leave a God-honoring faith-filled legacy when God deems it is time for me to come home?

Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee

 

 

 

Thursday, February 24: 1Chronicles 28- I charge you.

I was fascinated by David’s kingly charge to the leaders and then his son, Solomon, as he passed the baton of leadership to those who will follow him.

1 Chronicles 28:8-9 "So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

To all the leaders … David’s charge is to be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord (8). Then to his son, the crown prince, David calls him to acknowledge and serve the Lord wholeheartedly (9).

David understands that Israel’s kingdom is unique.  The Lord is her strength, her protection and her future. Remaining connected and faithful to the Lord is the key to Israel’s future.

Even as I was typing that last thought, I realized the same is true for me as a Christ-follower. My future, my protection and my strength is the Lord and remaining connected and faithful to Him is ‘key’. I went back and re-read David’s charge to the leaders and Solomon, this time inserting my name, as if David was speaking to me.

So now I charge you …: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, …. "And you, my son Bill, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

That’s a thought to steep myself in today …

May I live up to this charge O Lord, my God. Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 23: 1Chronicles 27- Perpetual duty

I find it interesting that men younger than 20 weren’t counted for the army but apparently there was no old-age cutoff. An implication I see in this is, once you become eligible for army call up, you remain so for the rest of your life.  As a male, one was on perpetual duty to protect and defend the country when needed.

I wondered if life-time army duty gave a deeper sense of loyalty to your nation than what is experienced today.

Spiritually, I took a leap and mused on the life-long need to protect and defend my faith in the Lord. It is easy in our culture with its busyness and pressures to take our eyes off the Lord and put them in any number of places.  Some of the other places are important, many however are little more than distractions. Thinking about these men who could be called up to military service at any age, I thought I have to remain diligent and vigilant in strengthening my faith.

Next I began thinking about the church. I wondered, “Am I willing to defend and protect my church (the local expression of God’s kingdom today) now and forever, even when it is inconvenient, difficult and dangerous?” I wonder.

Some of my musings about my perpetual duty to guard and protect…

Lord, I am Yours as long as there is breath in me, I am Yours. Amen.

 

Tuesday, February 22: 1Chronicles 26- Just so many people

Name upon name, task upon task, position upon position, I feel like I am looking into the file drawer of the HR person responsible for protecting worship in Israel. This is the fourth chapter detailing people involved with the Temple and worship.

I was surprised by all the detail. I don’t normally think about details. Thinking about the details, I realized that things don’t just ‘happen’, there is work, effort, and thought behind every accomplishment. Whether it is making the tissue I just used to blow my nose; the worship service we will attend this weekend; or labor and ingenuity which provided and maintains the Internet over which this blog will travel; people and hours of work are behind it all.

The whisper of the Spirit, as I contemplate David’s kingdom and my 21st century life, “Appreciate others, you need them.”

This chapter reminds me how dependent I am on other people. I am part of an interconnected and interdependent world and I need other people. God’s whisper echoes back: “Remember to appreciate them!”

Lord, I can become so focused on my world and ‘my this and my that’. I can become so self-centered that I miss Your call to kindness (Gal 5:22) and appreciating others. Forgive m,e Lord, and help me to grow into a person who appreciates others… Amen.

 

 

Monday, February 21: 1Chronicles 25- the place of music

Reading this chapter I found myself pondering music as it pertains to worship. As David establishes the Temple and all who will minister there, music plays an important role. This chapter is all about establishing those who will lead and provide music at the Temple. I found myself focusing on verse 6: All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God…

There is something about music.  It can connect and move places deep within us in a way that the spoken word, even poetry, simply cannot. I don’t understand it, I can’t really articulate it but I have experienced it. I suspect that you have as well.

All I can conclude is that God made us this way, which is why God prompted David to appoint musicians and establish a guild to maintain music at the Temple.

I experience the power of music weekly during worship. The songs we sing and the instrumental pieces that fill the sanctuary during times of meditation and contemplation enrich my time with the Lord. Now I have my preferred style of music but I have been moved to deep places with the Lord by all kinds of music.

I stood among a crowd of Africans swaying, clapping and singing carried along by simple rudimentary percussion instruments, gourds and pottery and sticks. God reached into places of my life I rarely visit through the music.

Another time, I stood in a grand auditorium surrounded by 5-10,000 worshippers as we sang contemporary worship songs lead by an extraordinary band. I recall one particular moment where the video monitors focused in on a violinist whose face ‘shone’ with delight and as he played for the Lord… his countenance and skill took me to the very throne of grace.

I could go on and on about experiences I have had with music in worship.

And so this morning I found myself appreciating the Lord for giving us devoted people who can take us to deep places of the heart and to the throne of grace with their gifts of music.

Thank You, Lord, for God honoring music and musicians… Amen.

 

Saturday, February 19: 1Chronicles 24- unlimited personal access to God

   Following the exile, it was critical to reestablish correct worship. Of first importance was making sure that those who served as priests, those who had access to the very presence of God, were from the line and lineage of Aaron. And so the chronicler lists the families and clans of priests...

   I marveled at the gift we, who are people of the New Testament, have. Access to God is not limited to a few priests, who because of bloodlines, can enter the presence of God and offer sacrifices on our behalf. We, who follow Jesus, have unlimited personal access to God.
   Thanks be to God!

   Lord, I sit this morning marveling at Your invitation to come to You and to be with You anytime. I am so thankful that I don't need a priestly intermediary but that I can go directly to You. Jesus, thank You for opening this full-access way to God, the Father. Jesus, thank You for being the full-access way to the Father. Holy Spirit, thank You for applying the gift and blessing of Jesus to my life...
   Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; one God forever and ever. Amen.

 

Friday, February 18: 1Chronicles 23- Passing the baton...

   One track and field event is the 4x100-meter relay. Teams take their fastest sprinters, creating teams of four. But speed alone does not win this event, team work does, and specifically, passing the baton from one runner to another. Especially in this short relay, the hand-off is critically important. These races are often won by the smallest of margins and many races are lost by a sloppy, slow or botched baton hand-off.

   In life, societies, groups, organizations and even churches that desire a lasting legacy face critical "baton-passing" moments when leadership shifts from one person to another. David understood the importance of passing the baton of faith on to his son and leaders in Israel as he neared his death.

   Verses 1-2 introduce the closing chapters of 1Chronicles; David's passing of the baton on to those who will lead Israel and build the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem: When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites.

   Those of us who lead organizations would be wise to watch David and pray for the Lord's leading as we near and then face our baton-handoff. Calling together the leaders, imparting your imprimatur, vision and blessing, then letting go, are three elements I see in David's hand off. I invite you, who lead groups, to think and pray about this before the situation arises. Vision handoff and leadership succession are critical for the continuation of the group.  Entrepreneurs are not necessarily good at this element of leadership.

   As I mused on this text, I journeyed to another handoff, the handoff of faith to the next generation. As a dad (mom, grandparent, aunt, uncle...), I think and pray about the handing off of faith to my kids and those in my family who come after me...

   Lord, I need continued wisdom to instill and strengthen the faith of my children and select others whom I have mentored in the faith. Lord, give me wisdom to finish well and to pay attention to the handoff of faith to those who will come after me... In Jesus' name and for the sake of His kingdom, I pray. Amen.

 

Thursday, February 17: 1Chronicles 22- passing along the faith...

   This chapter gives a snapshot of David passing his faith in the Lord and his desire to do something great for God onto the next generation. To build something great means passing it along to those who come after us.  What a thought!
   My mind is turning and churning already... passing along the faith, passing along God-size dreams...
   The chapter doesn't say much if anything about David passing along his faith in the Lord to Solomon. I guess I am just assuming that David instilled in Solomon and his other children a reverence for the Lord. As I think about this, I cannot recall anything specific in the Bible talking about this besides the reverent love for God that David regularly showed for the Lord. And this reminds and suggests to me that we have to LIVE the faith if we want to pass it along to those who come after us. Children need to see us engaged in our faith. They need to observe our faith, making a difference in how we live and what we do.
   So much of the faith is caught as opposed to taught. If we want our children to have a thriving faith we have to live a thriving faith.
   Nothing is automatic. Having a deep and abiding faith doesn't guarantee that our children will as well, but demonstrating faith in how we live, how we parent and how we act is a great teacher for our children...
   Words need to follow our actions but without the actions of faith our words will be hollow and likely empty...
   Now that I have written this, I have a lot to chew on and consider. Am I living these insights the Lord revealed?...
   Lord, please help me to be a consistent man (woman) of faith. May Your light shine through me in the manner in which I live and in the words I speak. Lord, may my living and words be consistent and faith-filled, for the sake of my heirs and the sake of all who may be watching me... in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 16: 1Chronicles 21- Opposition

   Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel (1). Those opening seven words laid a sobering pall on my thoughts and meditations this morning.

   As Christ-followers we are in a battle. God's enemy, Satan, is our enemy and he is constantly lurking, looking for opportunities to incite us to sin. And as humans, each of us has our particular points of vulnerability. David, as leader and commander-in-chief, carried concern for his nation. In his world attackers rose up regularly.  Knowing the size, strength and deployment of those you could call into military service at an instant was important. At least prudence and human wisdom said so. What David lost sight of was that the Lord God Almighty was his strength and rear-guard not his army. David allowed the strength of his army to become an idol.

   We all have vulnerable points...

   God provided David with wise counselors, Joab and Gad in this account, but David sped past their advice. Paul reminds us that God never tempts us beyond what we can bear and always provides a way out from under it... (see 1Cor 10:13). God provided, David ignored.

   His story is so often my story... speeding past God's 'way out' and landing in sin.

   As I step back and contemplate the Spirit whispers, "Be alert. Be on your guard. Your enemy will set traps for you.  I'll warn you and lead you around them if you listen..."

   The prayer that wells up in my soul is a song we sing in worship: 

   "Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening
   Speak words of knowledge and wisdom
   Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening
   For Your still, small voice"
   Lord may it be so... may I always be listening for You to speak and when You speak. Amen.

 

Tuesday, February 15: 1Chronicles 20- Remembering successes.

Today’s brief reading recounts successes of David’s reign. There is no doubt that God used David mightily to establish his kingdom. For the most part David followed God’s lead and God blessed the works of David’s hands.

Whenever we condense history, as the Chronicler does in this chapter, elements of history are omitted for brevity and bias sake. It is quite obvious that the Chronicler is lauding David, which is fine since history is fleshed out in other places (namely 1-2 Samuel).

No one is perfect and as long as we remember that, lauding great achievements by flawed humans is fine.  That’s what we have here. The entire Bathsheba account is omitted in this retelling.

As I sit today, I am realizing that too often I focus on the flaws rather than the achievements and successes of others (and myself). There is certainly a place for humble recognition and realization that I and others are flawed and sin-filled. But it is equally important to follow the lead of the Chronicler and celebrate God-honoring and God-following achievements. Neither Peter nor Paul were perfect… but God used them mightily. Mark was young and deserted Paul in a time of need –and?!- but he is also the author of one of the gospels and an honored companion of both Peter and Paul. Martin Luther could be gruff, even vulgar at times, yet his faithfulness is legendary!

God is reminding me today that we can and should celebrate the faith-filled exploits of sisters and brothers in the faith. I suspect that one of God’s reasons for speaking this to me (& you) today is that hopefully as we honor those who did great things for God, we too, might stretch, reach, try and labor to do great things for God as well.  May it be so. May it be so!!!

Lord, I commonly see my flaws and needs and sins and shortcomings when I come to Your word. Yes, I need You as my Savior! Lord, sometimes though, focusing on my failings causes me to pull back rather than stretch and reach in serving You. Today Lord, I am encouraged to keep on serving, to dreams great dreams of service to and for You. Lord, the same Spirit that prompted and enabled David and Peter and Paul and Martin Luther, lives in me. May I trust and follow You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that my life might bring You great honor and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Monday, February 14: 1Chronicles 19- The power of a cause.

 

The intrigue of human life is visible throughout this chapter with people trying to read minds and intentions… and getting it wrong. Does that ever happen in my relationships!

Rather than admitting our mistake(s), seeking forgiveness and a reasonable solution, we escalate the situation to fighting.  Guilty again.

What stood out most prominently for me was how the power of a cause strengthens a person. On the one side, Joab and his troops were fighting for family and God: Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight (13). Most of the troops assembled against them were mercenaries fighting for money. When the battle intensifies and the odds are stacked against me I may give my life for a cause I believe in deeply. A paycheck simply doesn’t provide the same motivation. This basic observation carries into many arenas of life.  A person with deeply held convictions is willing to sacrifice more, work harder and persevere longer…

My thoughts shift –I assume it is God’s Spirit- questions of inner conviction flash. “Bill. what will you sacrifice for Me? Bill, how hard will you work to advance My kingdom?” Other thoughts of similar ilk twirl in my thoughts. I am left alone with my thoughts pondering the depth of my conviction to God and to fulfill God’s causes.

It is easy to say, “Jesus, I will follow You until the end. I will do what You ask me to do and be about the things You ask me to be about.” Words are easy to say but do I have the inner conviction to live them? Because the power to do so comes from within…

Lord, I sit here this morning desiring to be Your person through and through… to have the conviction displayed by Jesus who went to the cross, by Peter, James, John and Paul who willingly gave all they had, to do what You asked them to do… to be so fully committed to You, Lord… that is my desire as I pray. Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 16: 1Chronicles 21- Opposition

 

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel (1). Those opening seven words laid a sobering pall on my thoughts and meditations this morning.

As Christ-followers we are in a battle. God’s enemy, Satan, is our enemy and he is constantly lurking, looking for opportunities to incite us to sin. And as humans, each of us has our particular points of vulnerability. David, as leader and commander-in-chief, carried concern for his nation. In his world attackers rose up regularly.  Knowing the size, strength and deployment of those you could call into military service at an instant was important. At least prudence and human wisdom said so. What David lost sight of was that the Lord God Almighty was his strength and rear-guard not his army. David allowed the strength of his army to become an idol.

We all have vulnerable points…

God provided David with wise counselors, Joab and Gad in this account, but David sped past their advice. Paul reminds us that God never tempts us beyond what we can bear and always provides a way out from under it… (see 1Cor 10:13). God provided, David ignored.

His story is so often my story… speeding past God’s ‘way out’ and landing in sin.

As I step back and contemplate the Spirit whispers, “Be alert. Be on your guard. Your enemy will set traps for you.  I’ll warn you and lead you around them if you listen…”

The prayer that wells up in my soul is a song we sing in worship:

“Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening

Speak words of knowledge and wisdom

Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening

For Your still, small voice”

Lord may it be so… may I always be listening for You to speak and when You speak. Amen.

 

Thursday, February 17: 1Chronicles 22- passing along the faith.

This chapter gives a snapshot of David passing his faith in the Lord and his desire to do something great for God onto the next generation. To build something great means passing it along to those who come after us.  What a thought!

My mind is turning and churning already… passing along the faith, passing along God-size dreams…

The chapter doesn’t say much if anything about David passing along his faith in the Lord to Solomon. I guess I am just assuming that David instilled in Solomon and his other children a reverence for the Lord. As I think about this, I cannot recall anything specific in the Bible talking about this besides the reverent love for God that David regularly showed for the Lord. And this reminds and suggests to me that we have to LIVE the faith if we want to pass it along to those who come after us. Children need to see us engaged in our faith. They need to observe our faith, making a difference in how we live and what we do.

So much of the faith is caught as opposed to taught. If we want our children to have a thriving faith we have to live a thriving faith.

Nothing is automatic. Having a deep and abiding faith doesn’t guarantee that our children will as well, but demonstrating faith in how we live, how we parent and how we act is a great teacher for our children…

Words need to follow our actions but without the actions of faith our words will be hollow and likely empty…

Now that I have written this, I have a lot to chew on and consider. Am I living these insights the Lord revealed?…

Lord, please help me to be a consistent man (woman) of faith. May Your light shine through me in the manner in which I live and in the words I speak. Lord, may my living and words be consistent and faith-filled, for the sake of my heirs and the sake of all who may be watching me… in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Friday, February 18: 1Chronicles 23- Passing the baton.

One track and field event is the 4x100-meter relay. Teams take their fastest sprinters, creating teams of four. But speed alone does not win this event, team work does, and specifically, passing the baton from one runner to another. Especially in this short relay, the hand-off is critically important. These races are often won by the smallest of margins and many races are lost by a sloppy, slow or botched baton hand-off.

In life, societies, groups, organizations and even churches that desire a lasting legacy face critical “baton-passing” moments when leadership shifts from one person to another. David understood the importance of passing the baton of faith on to his son and leaders in Israel as he neared his death.

Verses 1-2 introduce the closing chapters of 1Chronicles; David’s passing of the baton on to those who will lead Israel and build the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem: When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites.

Those of us who lead organizations would be wise to watch David and pray for the Lord’s leading as we near and then face our baton-handoff. Calling together the leaders, imparting your imprimatur, vision and blessing, then letting go, are three elements I see in David’s hand off. I invite you, who lead groups, to think and pray about this before the situation arises. Vision handoff and leadership succession are critical for the continuation of the group.  Entrepreneurs are not necessarily good at this element of leadership.

As I mused on this text, I journeyed to another handoff, the handoff of faith to the next generation. As a dad (mom, grandparent, aunt, uncle…), I think and pray about the handing off of faith to my kids and those in my family who come after me…

Lord, I need continued wisdom to instill and strengthen the faith of my children and select others whom I have mentored in the faith. Lord, give me wisdom to finish well and to pay attention to the handoff of faith to those who will come after me… In Jesus’ name and for the sake of His kingdom, I pray. Amen.

 

Saturday, February 12: 1Chronicles 18- In the tough place remember

While I was reading today, I recalled that Chronicles was likely written during or shortly after the Babylonian captivity. As the Israelites sat exiled in a foreign land because of their disobedience, someone, likely a priest (some believe it was Ezra), took the time to remember and record their heritage. That’s what I was reading… a God-inspired remembrance of Jewish history.

With that thought noodling in the background, I took in the successes of David’s reign offered in this chapter. But it wasn’t merely a summary of the great King David, it was a remembering of what God did for David and therefore, for all Israelites. I noticed a repeated sentence first in verse 6 and then again in verse 12, The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.

The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

THE LORD GAVE…

I imagined the sense of defeat the Israelites must have felt as exiles in Babylon. The wonderings about whether God would ever help them again. I visited times in my life when I felt beat up, drained, punished, even exiled from God. What this inspired writer was doing was remembering and recording for the people what God had done in the past.  He also was recording what God is capable and willing to do for His people when they acknowledge Him.

Remembering what God has done in the past for me and for those I love, gives me hope in the present and this is particularly important when the present is a time when hopelessness is rearing its ugly head in my life.

Spend a few moments before you move to the rest of your day remembering what God has done in your life and for people you love and care about. Remember the events and the facts, remember how you felt in those moments, remember the strength it gave to your faith… remember the works of God experienced in your life. Remember…

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Amen

 

Friday, February 11: 1Chronicles 17- above and beyond for God

 

This chapter revolves around David’s desire to do something great for the Lord. David wants to build a house for the Lord. For a desire like that to grow in David’s life, David’s heart must be focused on the Lord, right?

After all, David longs to do what no one has done for the Lord…

David’s big dream for God prompts me to wonder.  Do I live and long for God the way David did? Is my heart bent on doing for God, dreaming big dreams that will give God glory and honor or have I settled for less, settled for living a life that is focused on me with token nods to God?

These are difficult questions. They push me past surface things to look deep inside. These thoughts cause me to examine motives, hopes and dreams and most honestly, those which revolve around me and my life…

Lord, the me I am seeing is troubling.  The me I am seeing is selfish and self-focused.  The me I am seeing desperately needs a savior…thank You, Jesus!  The me I am seeing desperately needs a guide and a counselor… thank You, Holy Spirit!  The me I am seeing needs Your strength, Father.  Help me to be the son You desire and have called me to be. Amen.

 

 

 

Thursday, February 10: 1Chronicles 16- Praise and worship

1 & 2 Chronicles tells the same basic story as 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings, however, sometimes Chronicles adds and subtracts details. Today’s reading is largely added material; verses 4-42 provide detail to the account previously told in 1Samuel 6:17-18.

Contemplating verses 4-42, shows how important worship -the maintaining of daily worship- was for David and for Israel. Worship is God centered.  Read over the psalm again.  It is all about God, remembering and telling what He has done.

Forms of worship may change… the instruments in David’s day are largely unknown today and ours would be similarly unknown to him. Form changes. What this text reminds me is that what never changes is God at the center and God as the focus for worship… praising God for who He is and what He has done… pledging allegiance to God and declaring His glory… that is the essence of worship.

Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens… Amen. (23-26)

 

Wednesday, February 9: 1Chronicles 15- Learning from our mistakes.

 

David displays a wonderful example of learning from past failures. The last time he tried to bring the ark into Jerusalem Uzzah died for inappropriately touching the ark. Verses 11-15 show David’s wisdom as they prepare a second time to bring the ark to Jerusalem. Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levitical families; … It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." … And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

We all make mistakes.  Thankfully most of our mistakes are not as costly as David’s. Not all of us learn from our mistakes… David did. And if we want to grow as people and Christ-followers, learning from our mistakes is a must…

Lord, at least for me, admitting mistakes and not blaming someone else is the first step I need to take to grow. Lord, show me my mistakes.  Help me to admit my mistakes and then, Lord, reveal to me how to not make those mistakes over and over again…

And, Lord, thank You for accepting me and forgiving me for my mistakes and sins. I want to grow and I need Your help to do so… in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Tuesday, February 8: 1Chronicles 14- The Lord and none other

Multiple times in this chapter David inquires of the Lord before he goes to war. The Philistines were enemies bent on exterminating the Israelites from the land. Threats were real and conflict a way of life while David reigned as king. Every war and every battle costs.  It costs monetary resources and more importantly, it costs in the lives of soldiers and the productivity of men removed from their farms and homes. David didn’t rush into conflict, instead he took the time to inquire of the Lord about going to war and even strategy for each battle.

Reading about David reminds me how willing the Lord is to direct and lead us through the complications, decisions and facets of our lives. Inquire of God… ask Him… James 1:5 comes to mind: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Another verse caught my attention, The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire (12). Not only does David understand the blessing of the Lord but also God’s willingness to direct and help. This verse shows me that David also understands the dangers of false gods. As the Philistines retreated from one of their defeats, soldiers dropped their stuff and ran. Among the things dropped were ‘their gods,’ likely amulets, statues and other religious articles and figurines. As the soldiers gather the booty, David orders that all Philistines gods be collected and destroyed. David understands the danger here… no dabbling in or with foreign gods!!!!

Reading this reminds me how easily we can be to be enticed from the Lord to other gods. When we put our hope and trust in anyone or anything other than the Lord we have begun to follow another god.  Beware! This verse causes me think how easily I can be enticed to other ‘gods:’ the god of the bank account, the god of the retirement account, the god of my education…

Lord, forgive me for putting anything before You and for trusting anything for my future other than YOU! Amen.

 

Monday, February 7: 1Chronicles 13- Know the rules.

A friend was driving in another country and while changing lanes, as we all do in the US, he was barreled into in the side by another vehicle. No problem. They exchanged information. When my friend filed the police report he learned that he was at fault! According to US laws my friend had the right of way but in this other country he was at fault. Moral of the story… Know the rules!  

David’s heart was in the right place. He wanted the ark of the Lord, the presence of God, with him in the capital city but they didn’t follow the rules for transporting the ark and disaster struck.

·         Rule #1: No human was allowed to touch the ark.

·         Rule #2: The Ark was transported by men carrying it on long poles so as not to touch it. Putting it on a cart was the wrong method of transportation.

Uzzah, well meaning, tried to keep the ark from falling off the tipping cart but when he touched the ark he committed a grievous sin and died as a result right then and there. Uzzah possibly should have known the rules but David, as king, certainly should have known the Law and its clear rule for transporting the Ark.

With this. the Holy Spirit whispers into my soul, “Know the rules… the Father and Son have sent Me to be teacher for all disciples. I will teach you all you need to know and remind you of all Jesus taught (John 14:26). I will counsel you and lead you into all truth but you have to walk with Me, you have to study, you have to spend time with Me in the Word.”

Know the rules…

Holy Spirit, lead and I will follow, teach and I will study. I will spend time in the Word.  Please bring illumination to my mind and heart and soul. Be with me everyday as You have been with me today… Amen.

 

Saturday, February 5: 1Chronicles 12- How we came to be and whose shoulders we stand upon

Commentators believe that 1-2Chronicles were written late, as Israel sits in Babylon during their years of exile and punishment for unfaithfulness or shortly thereafter. These people, awaiting God’s restoration, were inspired by the Holy Spirit to chronicle their beginnings. They were to write down the men and women who were critical and used of the Lord to the building of their nation as well as to remember important events in their history.

Remembering… remembering how faith came to us. Remembering key people in the faith lineage who connect us to the Lord and remembering some of what they did and how they lived.  This kept the faith alive during a time of trial, discipline and exile.

Remembering how we came to have faith and those whose faith-shoulders we stand upon remains healthy for maintaining a vital faith…

Who shared faith in Jesus with you? Who passed the faith on to them? Think back over your ‘faith-ancestry.’ Consider the faith communities that have surrounded and nurtured you over the years. Remember the good and the bad –we are imperfect human beings after all. Think about how and where you see the hand of God in those years…

Recall names, teachers, mentors, friends, coworkers… men and women used by God to instill and strengthen faith in Jesus within you. Think about those people you may not have know well but whose life was (and maybe still is) an example to you.

All of us walk with Jesus, in part, due to the faith-filled lives and witness of others. Thank God this morning for these faithful bearers of Jesus’ name.

O, God, thank You for  (put in your own set of names…), thank You for the way they lived, they way they helped me during (name some important moments and who helped you in your faith then…)…

Spend time remembering and thanking God for these heroes and heroines of the faith in your life…

Now before you close your time with the Lord today, switch from remembering to blessing those who look to you… those who would have you are their list… pray for them, too…

Amen.

 

Friday, February 4: 1Chronicles 11- Who's at your side?

Maybe it is the rugged individualism that has characterized the United States since its birth. Whatever the root, people from the US often live as if we can do life on our own. This individualistic spirit, like most character traits, has some positives and many negatives. Life is much more than self; and success in life is rarely achieved by independent individuals. Face it, people live interconnected and interdependent lives.

Reading this chapter, I was fascinated that immediately following kingship, David moves to take up residence in Hebron. He immediately realizes he cannot do that on his own and offers army commander-in-chief to the man who leads the successful capture of the fortress. As Saul’s commander-in-chief, David had the skills to lead the army but he recognized that he couldn’t do everything and needed trusted others at his side.

The chapter pushes this thought even further by naming the chiefs of David’s mighty men in the next sentences. It wasn’t sufficient to have one trusted aide, David surrounded himself with men devoted to Israel and his kingship. And together with David, as king, they grew Israel from an upstart nation into a well organized world dominant country.

The whispers I am hearing from the text, hone in on the question, “Who is at my (your) side? Who is standing with you? And who are you standing with?” In all aspects of my life who am I partnering with?

It is time for me to sit and reflect, “Am I trying to do life alone or am I learning to live life in the community of others who are at my side?

Lord, thank You so much for the people you have brought alongside of me, personally and professionally, friends and coworkers. Thank You for all the people who make my life what it is! Thank You and Lord, thank You for being by my side as well. You promise to never leave or forsake me. Alleluia, the Lord God almighty is with me! Amen.

 

Thursday, February 3: 1Chronicles 10- A tragic life

Saul exemplifies a tragic life. He had everything. As the first king of Israel, the doorway to life was wide open to him. God was establishing His nation and Saul was at the point. Unfortunately, Saul couldn’t keep his eyes on the Lord. When pressed or confused, he turned this way and that, looking for an answer but the one direction he never looked was to the Lord. Pride, stupidity, too much self-reliance, we will never know what drove and motivated him to all the wrong choices. What we do know is that his faithlessness resulted in God forsaking him, stripping Saul and his heirs of their kingly lineage and his ignoble death. Faithlessness looses out in the end.

Saul’s sad story is a poignant reminder to me to live and choose differently… to train myself to turn to the Lord when I am pressed, confused, anxious and up against the wall.

Saul’s story reminds me that I don’t have all the answers but the Lord God Almighty does. So, duh, turn to the Lord not counterfeits.

Saul’s story teaches me that God has life and future in His hand and faithfulness to the Lord is the wisest choice any person and every person can make.

Finally Saul’s life demonstrates to me that I must be vigilant in my pursuit of the Lord. Starting well with the Lord is not sufficient, going the distance and finishing well with the Lord is the goal.

O, Lord, it is sad to watch someone’s mistakes and to learn what not to do.  Yet on the flip side, I am grateful to You for Your word and this example of what not to do. Jesus, help me to learn these lessons well and to finish strong… In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 2: 1Chronicles 9- Gate keeping.

I was surprised during my morning reading at the amount of detail given to the gate keepers for the house of the Lord. They guarded the house of the Lord at night, locked it securely for the night and opened it in the morning. Some were assigned the task of numbering the articles of the house of the Lord and making sure, daily, that everything was accounted for. Gate keeping was an involved, significant, and important task. No wonder the text notes that gate keepers were considered positions of trust (22).

All of this got me thinking about the role of gate keeping of another sort… gate keeping of our mind, heart and soul. Gate keeping is a word picture I associate with being watchful, regarding the kinds of things I allow to enter my life. When I think of gate keeping, I think about the kinds of things I listen to and watch, and particularly the topics and things I think about and dwell upon. A radio comment, music lyrics, a movie scene can spark a thought seemingly out of the blue. Sometimes these thoughts are wholesome, sometimes not.  Gate keeping is my ability to recognize the difference and to shutdown any flirtation with or dwelling upon things that are not wholesome.

Reading the text about the intricacies of gate keeping and the trust levied upon those called to be gatekeepers, I found myself realizing how important and involved the role of gate keeping is, in and for my life.  And how vigilant I have to be to keep bad influence at bay, so I can walk a faith-filled life with Jesus. Gate keeping is a job that never ends and generally does its most important work during times of vulnerability.

Lord, I pray for vigilance, wisdom and astuteness in the gate keeping of my life… Amen.

 

Tuesday, February 1: 1Chronicles 6-8- To know I belong

 

The books of Chronicles provide a spiritual understanding of the history of David and his lineage. Likely recorded during, or shortly after the tribes were in exile (some expositors believe 1-2Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah form a 4-part series), it was important for the exiles to preserve their history and lineage… to know they belonged to the family of God.

Belonging is important, more important than most of us realize during the routine of life. But when trouble, heartache or disaster descends, belonging surges in importance.

Belonging. God understands the power of belonging. One of the gifts of the NT is that God emphasizes our belonging to Him. In the pages of the NT we are described as:

·         rescued and transported to God’s kingdom,

·         adopted by God

·         born of God

·         co-heirs with Jesus, and more.

The Holy Spirit, we are told, was given to guarantee our inheritance.

Through faith in Jesus we belong to more than a particular race and lineage of people.  We belong to God and God’s family!

Give yourself some time to let this amazing truth sink in. I know I will.

Lord God, thank You for choosing me and for adopting me and rescuing me and bringing me to You.  Thank You that I am now part of Your family and that You will never ever let me go! Hallelujah! Amen.