There’s a term in photography called “depth of field.” It’s the range in which things are kept in focus. It’s how you keep your subject in focus and everything else out of focus.
1 Chronicles chapter 9 stands out in sharp focus against the blurred information proceeding it.
This chapter begins with this statement; “The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord.” (NLT) Then, after a short generalized list of those who returned from exile, the chapter focuses on the priests and the Levites, because they were charged with:
- Dealing with sin.
- Guarding the entrance of the temple.
- Worship.
- Caring for the temple.
Because 1 Chronicles 9:1 plainly says that God’s people were exiled because they were unfaithful, the rest of the chapter focuses sharply on the temple, the priests, and the priests’ faithful representation of God’s presence and ways.
What’s that got to do with you and me?
It’s very easy to allow your depth of field to become so broad that everything seems important. But this leads to unfaithfulness…which leads to our own relational exile from God.
We need to keep our focus sharply on God…to the point that everything else goes out of focus. We need to stay focused on God by:
- Dealing with our sin (as priests.)
- Guarding the gates of our hearts and minds (as the gatekeepers.)
- Being constantly ready to worship (as the musicians.)
- Taking care of our bodies (as the temple of God.) (1 Cor. 6:19)
Keep your depth of field narrow, by keeping your highest focus and attention on God and His presence in your life.