1 Chron 23:28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God.
Two thoughts went through my head as I read this section. One was: I wonder if the Levites were upset to be playing a supporting role. Did they want to be in the spotlight? The other was verses from 1 Corinthians 12 about many parts, each with its own function and role, but one body. We need stars and supports, all the individual parts, to make life work.
1 Chron 23:29 They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all the measurements of quantity and size.
And of course that put me in mind if my own role. Do I see it as a lot I’m relegated to, bitter that I am not more prominent or do I relish the supporting, encouraging role I get to play for so many?
1 Chron 23:30a They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that every role is important and unique and that the whole only works because the individual parts do their job. You created me for a purpose. Help me to fulfill that purpose with a joyful heart. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 23:30b …They were to do the same in the evening….
Have a blessed day
“…devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God….” (devo reflection)
1 Chron 22:13 “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
David is laying the foundation for Solomon to build God’s temple. He has amassed materials and money. He has secured the location. This is the final pep talk. “Keep your eyes on God. Seek Him. Obey Him. Stay in His will, and He will bless you and your work.” Easy peasy, right?
1 Chron 22:14 “I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them.“
Of course we make it harder than it needs to be. I sit in my recliner every morning with coffee and my bible and my Savior, and the world still manages to wrench my focus away from Him before long. Even with my determination to keep my eyes on Him, I’m often fully turned away before I realize I’ve shifted my gaze.
1 Chron 22:16 “…Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that I must keep my eyes on You, my heart, my soul, my mind on You. Thank You for the reminder that the world is not going to make that easy, but with Your strength, Your help, it can be done. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.
1 Chron 22:19 “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God….”
Have a blessed day.
Atonement…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 21:22 David said to [Araunah], “Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an alter to the LORD….Sell it to me at full price.”
David has sinned against God, and he is trying to atone for his sins. Araunah, is trying to be generous to his king. But David knows his sacrifice must cost him something. He cannot sacrifice out of Araunah’s generosity.
1 Chron 21:23 Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”
Commentary says that David’s being a man after God’s own heart doesn’t mean he is sinless. It means he is sensitive to his sin, he feels it deeply, and he understands the path back to God. He must sacrifice. It must cost him something.
1 Chron 21:24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for David’s heart, that he understands when he has strayed from You, that he understands the sacrifice involved in making amends. I want to be sinless, Lord, but I know that is not possible, so help me to be sensitive and understanding in how to restore my bond with You. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 21:25 So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site.
Have a blessed day.
Be present…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 20:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem.
This chapter reminds us to be present and vigilant. When David remained in Jerusalem, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, which lead to an unplanned pregnancy, a murder, another wife, and a whole new can of worms that caused trouble in the future. If David had been present with his troops, all this could have been avoided.
1 Chron 20:1 ….but David remained in Jerusalem.
I’m exhausted. Disgruntled. Wrung out. Frustrated. It’s easy to get lax when feeling like this. It’s easy to let my guard down, not be present, not worry about God’s will for me as I try to just survive. I feel like this chapter is another reminder, no matter my feelings, to be present in each day, present where God has placed me, present with the people He has me with. I feel like He’s reminding me to show up and do my best with the tasks He’s placed before me.
1 Chron 20:2 David took the crown from the head of their king…and it was placed on David’s head….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to keep my mind and heart focused on You, no matter what. Help me, always, to be mentally and physically present so that I can be Your hands and feet to Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 20:8 These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
Have a blessed day.
Lifeline of hope…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 19:13a Be strong….
Lord, Thank You for hearing the cries of my heart, for recognizing where I am, and for throwing me Your lifeline of hope. Help me to be strong, knowing that You hold me securely in the palm of Your hand. Help me understand in my soul that I am sheltered by Your grace and mercy. Help me to catch my breath as I rest in You.
1 Chron 19:13b …and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God….
Lord, Give me strength to serve Your people with love and grace as I struggle to regain my composure. You have me here for a purpose. Help me to be Your hands and feet, Your heart for those who need You so desperately. Help me to balance my service in You with my need for renewal and strength. I cannot do this without You, Lord.
1 Chron 19:13c …The LORD will do what is good in His sight.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture, for the hope that I have found here this morning. Thank You for seeing, for knowing, for understanding. Help me to be strong and brave in You, for You, and through You. Draw me closer. Renew my spirit. Amen.
1 Chron 19:13 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight.
Have a blessed day.
Consumed…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 18:1 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines.
Commentary says: “David was able to accomplish so much against God’s enemies because he, unlike Saul, was not consumed with fighting against the people of God.” The word consumed resonates deeply right now because that is what seems to be happening with me, and not in a good way.
1 Chron 18:6 …The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
Saturday, we had 46 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in our county. Political tensions are high, and people seem to have lost sight of the concept of civility. The classroom is often a battleground of “cover your nose” and “trust me to that this assignment has purpose.” I feel like I passed weary so very long ago. A tension headache is a pretty constant companion. And this morning the Lord whispers to my heart, “You are consumed, and not with me.” Jesus, Help me!
1 Chron 18:13 …The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for helping me see that I am consumed, and not by You or by the things that are truly important to You. Help me navigate my way out of this detrimental mindset. Help me to focus solely on You. Help me to shine Your Light. Be my center, my refuge, my strength. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
1 Chron 18:14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all of his people.
Have a blessed day
Other plans…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 17:1 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”
David wants to build God a house, a permanent dwelling. His gratitude overflows so much that he wants to do this incredible thing for God to say thanks. But God says no. That is not David’s to do. He has other plans for David. And David accepts God’s will and thanks Him for the plans He has for David.
1 Chron 17:2-3 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.” But that night the word of God came to Nathan….
God’s certainly showing me the work I need to do when it comes to graciously accepting His will, especially when it comes to something I am excited to do for Him which is not His will for me. Even just reading the account, I felt a bit of the sting of rejection when God said no. Clearly, I have work to do.
1 Chron 17:4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.’
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing me areas I still need to submit to You. Thank You for the plans You have for me. Help me to seek Your will, always. Help me to give You glory and praise. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 17:16-17 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, LORD God, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in Your sight, my God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. You, LORD God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.”
Have a blessed day.
Most worthy of praise…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 16:11 Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
Lord, Thank You for Your presence, Your fierce love, Your undeserved mercy, Your amazing grace. We do not deserve it. We could never earn it. And yet we so often take it for granted. Help us to not take You, Your love, mercy, and grace for granted.
1 Chron 16:23-25 Sing to the LORD, all the earth….Declare His glory among the nations….For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise….
Lord, Thank You for the care with which You made us. You know every hair on our heads, You know every breath we will take. Nothing about our lives surprises You because You KNOW us. We are Your deeply beloved children. Help us to not lose sight of that fact.
1 Chron 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to have Your praise continually on my lips. Help me to always seek Your face and glorify Your name. Thank You for creating me, for loving me unconditionally, for being my light and my life. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 16:36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Have a blessed day.
Sovereignty and victory…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 15:12 … “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.”
Lord, These are difficult times, unprecedented times, but You are already on the other side. You are sovereign and in control. Thank You for Your sovereignty. Thank You that You have already won the war. Help us to be ever mindful of Your sovereignty and victory as we enter each day.
1 Chron 15:13 “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
Lord, in a time of global pandemic and contentious political divide, help us to seek Your will and Your way—loving You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, loving our neighbors as ourselves, seeking justice, loving mercy, walking humbly with You.
1 Chron 15:14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and sovereignty. Help us to shine Your light. Always. Amen.
1 Chron 15:16 David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
Have a blessed day.
This is only possible with Christ…. (devo reflection)
1 Chron 14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went to meet them.
Toxic positivity is a phrase I have read a lot about this year. It is basically plastering a smile on your face while you stand at the helm of the Titanic, talking about the lovely night sky and utterly ignoring the rapidly sinking ship. I am not in any way advocating for toxic positivity. That wasn’t the point of yesterday’s reflection.
1 Chron 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim….
When life feels overwhelming (and so much feels overwhelming right now), my vision shrinks to the circle of water I’m furiously treading. I lose sight of anything beyond survival. And that is not where I want to be. That’s not where God wants me to be. A precious friend in Christ advised me yesterday: “…please let them see you acknowledge the struggle. Let them see you love others through this struggle. Let them see you admit this is only possible with Christ.”
1 Chron 14:10a …so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?
Lord, You are my rock and my salvation. You are my refuge in times of trouble. You are the reason I can praise Your name even as I struggle. Thank You for the reminder that life is more than just survival. Thank You for the many, many little blessings in each day. Thank You for giving me the strength to keep my head above water, even when it is as hard as it currently is. Thank You that all things are possible through You. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 14:10b …The LORD answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”
Have a blessed day.