DEVOTIONAL

I cannot think of a better passage for Thanksgiving week. The offerings Israel contributes to the Lord for the temple building and David’s prayer is a beautiful end to 1 Chronicles. Events tie up nicely. Israel rejoices in how the Lord made a way from King Saul to King David and now to the future ahead with King Solomon. 

You will notice some of the language in 1 Chronicles 28 is familiar because we read parts of it in 2 Samuel 22. David conveys how much he wanted to be the one to build the temple for the Lord. He received the vision from the Lord on every exact detail including the holiest of places. The place where the ark of the covenant of the Lord resides and the mercy seat where the shed blood from sacrifices will make atonement for sin. David devoted forty years to the Lord and Israel. Imagine all his blood, sweat, and tears. The end of David’s life concludes like Moses in the sense where his eyes do not behold the “thing” his successor accomplishes. Moses missed stepping into the Promised Land, but Joshua led Israel across to it (Deuteronomy 34:4). David sees the temple plans rolled out on the ground, but Solomon will walk the temple halls and worship the Lord inside the finished temple.

Q: Is there bitterness or regret in your heart because you missed a “thing” the Lord used someone else to accomplish? Do not discount God’s work through you, because Moses and David served for the Greater purpose and not for themselves. God rewards a humble heart.

It is incredible that we have access to intimate and monumental words in history. When we study a passage like 1 Chronicles 28-29, I can feel a fraction of what it would be like standing in the assembly. To hear David’s words to Solomon. Instruction passed from father to son and former king to current king. To see the faces of the Israelites as they receive the charge from their beloved king whom they cherished and led them back to the Lord. To visibly see the countenance of David as he speaks a blessing to the Lord and prays to the Lord for Israel. I have so many questions. Does David shout with excitement? Does his voice crack with emotion? Is David refraining from falling face down before the Lord? How could Israel hear David if he was facedown? Oh, the things to imagine.

Therefore, David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Instead of grabbing your attention to what struck my heart, I would love for you to spend time in 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 and write out or underline what catches your eye. Maybe you feel adventurous? Why not read the passage in a few different translations? It’s so good.

To set up the passage for us, it is after Israel comes with willing hearts carrying precious stones and metals to the assembly. David invites Israel to bring offerings to the Lord. That’s all he had to say. And the Lord opened their hearts. The amounts of gold, silver, and bronze is wild. How did they collect so much? Take a look at 29:16. It all comes from the Lord. Israel returns to the Lord what already belongs to Him.

Again, today is a monumental day in the life of Israel. David wants them to remember this ebenezer with the Lord. Kings will change from David to Solomon, and many more after that. However, the One that never changes is the Lord that David prays for Israel to remain tethered to. Regardless of how faithful in step Israel walks with the Lord, they will never be untethered or forsaken because the Lord makes a way to keep His covenant with His people. The same Lord David declares is exalted above all and holds the power to make great and give strength to all, is the same Lord we have access to. He leads us in victory. He holds authority. He is worthy of everything. We are all Yours, Lord.

This is the best news I have to share.

Q: If you attend the assembly today with David how would you come? Are you standing in the back a little hesitant or do you come with a willing heart to give joyfully?