Month: February 2022

1 Chronicles 22 – What Are You Leaving Behind?

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In volleyball, there’s something called the “setup” where one player sets the ball in a good position for their teammate to score. In the setup, one player foregoes scoring making it possible for another to successfully score.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 22, David is making preparation, not for his success, but for his son’s success. Though David desired to build a temple for God, God gave that responsibility to his son, Solomon. So, David determined he would prepare and provide what was necessary for his son to be successful in carrying out that responsibility. David not only provided the materials of gold, silver, cedar, and stone; but he also provided story (1 Chron. 22:7-10) and wisdom (1 Chron. 22:13) to Solomon.

We need to learn from this example. We live in an age where everyone seems to be looking out for themselves and their own causes. This is can be an unproductive and dangerous norm to follow for it shows little concern for the generations to follow.

Yes, we need to see to our own needs, but we also need to be working for those who come after us. We need to leave a positive legacy for the next generation. One that will help them rather than hurt them.

What are you leaving behind, spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and materially for those who will come after you? Are you contributing to the building of the next generation, or are you consumed with your own stuff? What’s one thing you can do to pour into the next generation?

1 Chronicles 18-21 – Regular Maintenance Required

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Everything in life must be kept up and maintained. We don’t think about maintenance when things are new and running well. But, a lack of maintenance will lead to a gradual and eventual breakdown. And this is true of our relationship with God.

Our relationship with God requires regular maintenance. God warned His people about this prior to their entering the Promised Land. (Deut. 4:1-14) (Deut. 6:10-13.)

But neglecting to maintain a relationship with God is just what happens in 1 Chronicles chapters 18-21. In chapter 18, David seems unstoppable. He’s winning one military victory after another, fighting shoulder to shoulder with his men while honoring God and giving Him credit for the victories.

But in chapter 20, there is a subtle shift in David and his approach.

  • Instead of going to battle with his men, David stays home.
  • After David’s commander leads the army to victory, David comes out and proudly puts the defeated king’s crown on his own head…taking credit for the victory.
  • David also takes a large amount of plunder, but this time there is nothing said about dedicating it to God.

David’s subtle downward slide culminates in him calling for a census of able body soldiers. This seems like a small thing, but God had not asked David to take a census. David’s victories were dependent on God, not David’s troop count. The census was merely David pridefully basking in his successes.

Though God eventually corrected David, David’s lack of maintenance in his relationship with God eventually caused him and those around him great pain.

With God, as with life, neglecting maintenance can go unseen for a while, but the eventual need for correction will come. And correction can be jarring and very costly. So, when it comes to your relationship with God, pay attention to the daily maintenance and you won’t have to scramble and panic trying to repair a broken relationship.

1 Chronicles 17 – Home is Where the Heart Is

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There’s a saying, “Home is Where the Heart is.” This speaks to the fact that “home” is less about the structure and the geographic location, and more about being with the people you love.

God has to remind David of this in 1 Chronicles chapter 17. The chapter opens with David settling into his new home…the palace. And David is so grateful, he desires to honor God by building Him a magnificent home or temple in which to dwell.

But God stops David and reminds him that His “home” has always been mobile. God has always made his home, not in a place, but with His people. When it comes to a “home,” it’s not about a structure or a geographic location, but rather it’s about being with His people.

God goes on to tell David that one of David’s sons will build a house for God. Historically, God is speaking of Solomon and the temple he would build after David’s death. But theologically God is speaking of Jesus…the Son of David…who would sacrifice Himself on the cross to pay for our sins and clear the way for God to dwell with us and in us.

The Apostle Paul, speaking to believers in Corinth, said…

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT)

And God still desires that His “home” be mobile, so as to go where the people are. Only now, instead of a tent of cloth and poles, God wants to dwell in a tent of flesh and blood…first with Jesus, and now with us.

For God, home is where the heart is. And His heart is with his people.

1 Chronicles 16 – Worship

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There are some words that we use so often they lose their impact and meaning. Words like “sale” and “awesome” are good examples.

Likewise, we can use many church and religious words so much they become cliché.

One example is the word “worship.” So often, we use this word to refer to a scheduled event where people gather together to sing songs and listen to a person deliver a message. (“Worship is at 11:00 today.”) Or we use “worship” to refer to the act of singing together before a message. (“The pastor’s message was good and the worship was strong.”)

But using “worship” in these ways really dumbs down the truer sense of the word. In 1 Chronicles chapter 16, you get a rich taste of what “worship” really means. Worship is a positive reaction to the goodness and glory of God. Worship involves:

  • Recognizing Who He is and what He’s done.
  • Thanking Him for Who He is and what He’s done.
  • Desiring to know Him and to know Him better.
  • Proclaiming His character.
  • Urging others to worship Him through your example.

Worship is so much more than music or a scheduled event. It’s a spiritual experience. It’s meeting God.

Yes, David did provide for music, musicians, and scheduled times of worship. But these were all means to an end…not the end itself. These things were to facilitate worship, not be worship.

When’s the last time you really worshipped? Not went to a service or sang songs of worship, but really, truly reacted to the goodness and glory of God? Maybe it’s time.