Category: 1 Chronicles

We read today about David’s announcement to all of Israel that Solomon would soon be taking his place as king of Israel. David made it clear to everyone in Israel that it was God who put David on the throne, God who would put Solomon on the throne, and God who ordered the building of the Temple for the next generation.

David, in the sight of all of Israel tells his son, “Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God…” and “Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind” (v.8-9). David also gives Solomon instructions for how to build the Temple. Go back to our passage today and look at how prepared David is! David was detailed in his instruction to his son, giving him the guidance required for building the Temple in a way that was God-honoring.

Then, before everyone, David tells Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly” (v. 20).

What a great picture of a father discipling and encouraging his son! David knew that Solomon was called to build the Temple of God, and with the Lord’s help, it would be done. What has God called you to do? How do you need to “be strong and courageous, and do the work?” Is there a specific ministry area where God wants you to serve? Do you have a passion for a specific people or ministry?

For all Christians, God has called us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Do you ever feel like you aren’t growing in your faith? Be encouraged that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Remember to not “be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (v.20).

What is God calling you to do today? Think of one area God wants you to grow in, and one area of service that God may be calling you. (Hint: the question isn’t whether you are called, but how!)

Honestly,  as I was reading this passage, I was wondering what on earth I was going to write an entire post on. There are not really any commands to observe or instructions to follow; no passionate expressions of love or awe for God. So what can we see today that we can chew on?

What came to my mind is how God transformed and changed David’s life for His own glory. Think back to the account you know so well of David fighting Goliath. David was small in stature and no one assumed that he would be great because of this, and he took down the giant through the power of God. Now, we see that David is a great king who has thousands and thousands of troops at his disposal. David went from weak and feeble in the eyes of the world to one of the most powerful men in the world.

The principle for us is not that God is going to give you worldly power or riches; you are not guaranteed life’s victories because you are a Christian. But through Jesus Christ, we have been given eternal victory over sin and death. Through the gospel, God transforms you and changes you for His glory. God might not have the same impossible story for you, but when God saves you through the gospel, the impossible is being accomplished, in that it is impossible for us to make ourselves holy. God accomplishes the impossible through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Just like with David, God wants to take our weaknesses and glorify Himself by showing how strong He is in the midst of them.

As you read today’s passage, you might feel like breezing through it due to the sheer amount of information on what seems to be very trivial. Understandable… I’m right there with you. It’s one of the chapters that probably gets skipped in 1 Chronicles, but I do want to encourage you with a few thoughts to consider as you read it:

• While it might feel mundane, remember that God is in the details. He was specific He wanted things done, and how the people of Israel should function best. If you feel bogged down by chapters like this, press pause and remember: God is in all of your details too. He knows every hair on your head. He knows why He put you on this planet. He loves and cares for you, down to the smallest details of your life.

• Gatekeepers are important… and you’re probably a modern-day version of one. The gatekeepers were put in place to safeguard the people of Israel from idol worship or trespassers. To put it plainly: they kept things out that weren’t supposed to be there, and kept things in that were supposed to be there. Folks: you are modern-day gatekeepers, fending off Satan’s schemes against your homes & lives. Stay on guard. Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) every single day, no matter how counterintuitive it may feel to your sin nature.

What else jumped out at you today? Share a thought or two in the comments section.

By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor

Are you glad God gave us music?  Music is a language that speaks to our soul.  It takes us back in time to sweet memories when we hear it – or moves us to think about the future.  Worship is one of the best ways we connect with our Heavenly Father and music often takes us there. Of course having the right heart really matters…  Remember this song?

God loves music so much that He gave His people spiritual leaders that were musicians and gave them instructions on what they should do.  God gives us spiritual leaders – pastors – to lead us in worship. We are very blessed to have Todd Thomas and Lucas Taylor to lead us in worship.  They both love God and His Word and want to lead God’s people to the throne room every time they pick up a guitar. We are blessed!

God told the musical leaders to use all sorts of instruments to lead the people in praise.  Things like cymbals and harps and lyres. We should give our full attention and our best effort to praise for God.  We should never just stand there and not sing – that communicates so much about our soul and our spiritual condition.  God deserves our full attention and effort in worship.

God gave us music to worship Him – but like almost everything else – Satan has perverted the gift of music to accomplish his own evil agenda.  Although music itself is amoral (not right or wrong), as Christ-followers, we must exercise discernment in the music we choose to listen to and expose our families to.  Even music with sinful lyrics can have a way of getting into our soul (much like worship music does) and have a powerful impact on us.

• What’s currently your favorite worship song? (Please reply and post it)
• Please share about a time God used worship to move you deeply – this will inspire us all
• Is there anything in your iTunes or Spotify playlists that need to go?  Ask God to search them and search you and obey what He tells you.