Tag: i chronicles

II Chronicles 6:7-9 ” My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father, David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for My Name, you did well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood – he is the one who will build the temple for My name.’ “

Just because you have a desire and passion for something doesn’t mean you’re the one to accomplish it.   David was one of Israel’s most famous kings, and the Lord had laid on his heart the desire to build a temple…a permanent place for the glory of the Lord to dwell.  But God had different plans for him.              I Chronicles 28:3 says, “But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ ”  David was a man of war, where his son Solomon, the successor to his throne, was a man of peace.  Now David might have felt  he needed to be the one to build the temple, but he didn’t argue with God.  He then understood that his job was to do the preliminary planning…and before he died, David had procured and amassed many of the building materials needed so that his son Solomon could then start the project.  For many of us, we’re God’s preliminary planners…we have God’s vision and the passion for the task at hand.  But our job is that of prayer and intercession…for God has in mind someone else to fulfill the mission.

I Chronicles 29:12 ” Wealth and honor come from You; You are the Ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. “

In this prayer, King David was acknowledging that it was only from God – the source of everything –  that he possessed  abilities and achievements.  David was also acknowledging  the sovereignty and authorship of God as he viewed the world around him.  Later, his son Solomon would write in Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, ” When God gives any man  wealth and possessions,and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”  Recognizing and thanking God for His benevolence in our lives gives rise to one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive…it’s peace and contentment.

I Chronicles 4:10 ” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

What Jabez prayed was pretty simple and straightforward.  He asked for divine guidance, protection, and for the Lord to expand his circle of influence around him.  And guess what?  God gave it to him!  Don’t ever think that God is too busy with the breaking news of the day to listen to your prayers…He’s not.  Your prayers are equally as important to Him as anything happening in the world today.  And remember, there’s tremendous potential power within a simple heartfelt prayer.

I Chronicles 16:23 ” Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day.”

If you had never heard the Good News of Jesus…where would you be today?  It’s a very sobering thought, and for many of us, we’d probably be dead.  Now whether it was spiritual or physical death, we’d all be doomed to spend eternity in hell.  But instead, someone brought us the Good News…proclaiming deliverance and victory over the guilt and punishment of sin.  And so we stand here today, forgiven and set free.  So why wouldn’t we want to proclaim His salvation to others?

I Chronicles 16: 35 ” Cry out, ‘Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliever us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’ “

The thread of our Lord Jesus Christ is woven throughout the Scriptures.  The Hebrew word in this OT  verse for “Save us!” is Yasa.  The personal name of Jesus comes from this root word, Yasa.  This can be found in Matthew 1:21 as the angel of the Lord is revealing to Joseph the miraculous conception of his soon-to-be wife.  “Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”     “Save us!” can also be found later in Matthew as Jesus is making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the crowds along the road are crying out “Hosanna!” or “Save us!”  Jesus was and still is the Savior of our souls and the world today.

I Chronicles 16:23 ” Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day.”

When was the last time you actually thanked God for saving you?  When was the last time you expressed profound gratitude and appreciation  for delivering your soul from the guilt and punishment of sin?  If it’s been a while, then take the time right now to stop and thank Him.  But as important… when was the last time you told someone else about Jesus?   Isaiah 52:7 exclaims, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!”  Telling someone the Good News of Jesus isn’t hard if you can imagine it this way…you’re simply a beggar telling another beggar where they can get bread.

I Chronicles 17:20 ” There is no one like You, O Lord, and there is no God but You, as we have heard with our ears.”

Maybe it’s hearing someone’s answer to pray…maybe it’s a praise report…or maybe it’s hearing that someone you’ve been praying for has finally come to know the Lord.  Whatever it is, joy and thanksgiving almost explodes from us as we listen to others praising and thanking our Heavenly Father.  Sharing God’s miraculous works  is so important to all of us.  For when we share…we all become encouraged and uplifted!

I Chronicles 26: 12 ” These divisions of the Gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the Temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had.”

Have your parents always been active in Church, but you’ve held back…maybe thinking it’s not for you?  Look around your Church and assess the age of  those who serve the most.  Are they in their 20’s or 30’s…or is it more like 60’s and 70’s, or older?  The sad fact about many Churches today is that the vast majority of those ministering and volunteering are the elderly of the Church, not younger adults.  In this verse,  it speaks of the Gatekeepers being chief men…men who were strong and in the prime of their life…charged with guarding and protecting with self-discipline and integrity.  The Church is only as young as the people who serve.  And when those precious Saints of the Church are gone…what happens next?  Who will fill their shoes? Will you?

I Chronicles 11:10 These were the Chiefs of David’s mighty men – they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised…”

All of Israel came together to support King David…just as we are to advocate for our local Pastor and Church Leadership.  Being a Pastor isn’t just about running a business…it’s interacting with the congregation…a delicate balance of  administration, counsel, compassion, and grit.  Be that mighty warrior for your Pastor…pray for him daily, encourage him often, speak well of him in public.  Pray also for the Leadership at your Church…instilling confidence and hope whenever you can into their lives, for most are volunteering their time, energy, and commitment for the Lord.