DEVOTIONAL

The center jewel I pick up to examine with a close eye today is found in 1 Chronicles 15-16. The ark of the covenant of God comes back to Jerusalem to reunite with Israel. This is big news! Roll out the red carpet, sound the trumpets, put on your best, and bring your absolute best. Today is a day to celebrate!

As we set the scene for the events closing 1 Chronicles 15, allow me to lean on a movie scene from Aladdin to help give color, sound, and pomp to the ark of God carried through the streets of Jerusalem and placed in a tent that King David sets up and the priests consecrate for God. Do you see it? The grand production Aladdin and his genie assemble to tell everyone someone royal, powerful, and important is visiting the palace of Agrabah. Everyone must come and see. Even though I love the bold colors and trumpets from the Aladdin scene, the beautiful truth is that compared to the ark of God, the celebration for Israel is not empty like the false narrative of Aladdin. And when we read the passage, each person sounds like they are in their most natural state of praising God. It is kind of like they were created for such a thing. I definitely want to be a part of this celebration.

Q: Where do you see yourself as the ark of God passes by on the way to the tent? Is something holding you back from participating?

As the passage touches on specific roles of priests, singers, gatekeepers, and musicians there is a story of unity coming together for Israel. Each person participates. They want this. It is a new day in Jerusalem. War and division fade into their past as they begin a new chapter in unity and faithful obedience to the Holy One of Israel. David’s song of thanks is a renewal for Israel. There is reverence in the splendor of God’s holiness magnified as the ark of God is carefully relocated and offerings sacrificed to God in obedience with the Law of God. No more self-interpretation or self-serving way of thinking. Israel says this is about God and a desire for His people to dwell with Him.

Now, as someone who failed sixth grade band tryouts on the flute, clarinet, and trumpet, I find myself in place with Asaph sounding the cymbals. I am confident I can sing with gusto and collide cymbals to make a joyful noise to God. The task of the Levites is powerful. In 1 Chronicles 16:4, the description for Asaph and the other Levites is to “invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord” before the ark of God. The meaning of “invoke” comes from a rich place of experiential knowledge to commemorate and remember God. Can you imagine what comes to mind for the Levites to invoke praise to God? The prayers for a king. The day of victory against the Philistines. Every single sacrifice laid on the altar.

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. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

1 Chronicles 16;25-30

And then, King David stands to give his own commemoration to God in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. The wisdom lined on David’s face and scars from battle mark the years he has been with God. He has trusted God. He has held onto God. With a closer view, David’s faithful trust and obedience radiates through a bright smile as David joins with all of Israel to sing praise. God made a way in every stronghold. Yahweh restored Israel and reunited them back together. David gives several commands to Israel such as seek God, remember, declare, worship, and give thanks. David begins with a call to praise, shine, and boast in God. This comes from the word “halal” in verse 10 when David says to “glory in His holy name” which means to find great delight and celebration every time you seek God. Why? This goes back to 1 Samuel 12:22. God will not forsake His people because it pleases God to make Israel His people. We are tethered to God forever. What great news to celebrate!

The last part I want to examine is the word “ascribe” in verse 28. When words are repeated, my curiosity takes me on goose chase. To build out this idea of “ascribe” or acknowledge with no room for denial, I read Psalm 29 and Psalm 96. David wants Israel to speak with confidence of their faith in God. Testify with gusto the holiness of God, the mighty power of God, and that their God is faithful in all seasons because they have lived it. Today is a day of celebration. It’s easy to acknowledge God today. I can sense David prays for Israel’s hearts to remain tethered to God and not let doubt lead them astray again. The prayer may sound familiar to what David prayed for himself on the quiet nights and days running from death. The prayer for Israel to remain tethered to God is for us too. We are invited into the celebration with King David and Israel. You may not ride around on elephants with confetti canons, but how do you participate in the community celebration of the holiness of God? What ways can you ascribe to God on an ordinary Tuesday? This song of thanks helps center my thoughts and stir praise and adoration on days when the celebration is harder to find. Hope you are encouraged by it today.

Additional Reading: 2 Samuel 6-7; Psalm 29, 89, 96