1 Chron 27:23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Yesterday was Election Day. As I type this, I very intentionally have not sought out results of the national and state elections. It’s not that I don’t think those results aren’t important. I do. It’s just that my boss, the Lord of my life, hasn’t changed. God’s still on His throne, regardless of election results.
1 Chron 27:24a Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish….
And what God expects of me hasn’t changed either. He still calls me to love Him and love others—all others. Period. (Matt 22:36-39). And He calls me “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly” with Him. (Micah 6:8).
1 Chron 27:24b …God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering….
Lord, Thank You for this day, this scripture, and this reminder of what You call me to do. Help me, every day of the year, to strive to love You, love others, love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with You always, no matter what day, no matter what is going on in this world. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 27:24c …and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.
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.
And what does the LORD require of you? (devo reflection)
1 Chron 9:1 …and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience. (WEB)
God is pretty clear in His word about how we are to act and how we are to treat others. Mark 12:30-31 states the greatest commandment as: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and…Love your neighbor as yourself.” Micah 6:8 adds: And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
1 Chron 9:1 …and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgressions. (AKJV)
Can you imagine if we fully put these verses into practice, if we were fully obedient to God’s commands for living? In one of the most prolific “me first” places in the world, can you imagine if we treated our neighbors as we treat ourselves? Sadly, it is much easier to see disobedience to theses commands, and with the stress of teaching in a global pandemic, I’m looking squarely at myself when I say that. I’m absolutely guilty. So many are.
1 Chron 9:1 …and Judah was carried away to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. (NHEB)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder of Your commands. Help us to turn our selfishness into Your selflessness. Help us to champion others with the same vigor with which we claim our own rights and privileges. Help us to live first for You, then to be Your hands and feet to others. Help us to turn from our disobedience. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Chron 9:1 …And Judah was taken into exile to Babylon because of their breach of faith. (ESV)
Have a blessed day
Walking humbly with my precious Savior…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on firm footing. (NLT)
I recently saw an image on social media which has had more of an impact than I imagined. It was an image of a young girl clutching a beloved stuffed animal. Jesus stood in front of her with His hand out. Behind His back was a grander version of the girl’s prized possession. There was a caption, but I don’t remember it. The gist was that Jesus wanted her to give up something she loved dearly, and in return, He had something even better for her. What sticks with me, though, are the tears in her eyes, the clear love she has for the object, and the fact the He wants her to surrender it to Him. Even seeing something bigger and better behind His back, my immediate question is still “Why? Why, Lord, would You ask this of her?” It is absolutely the wrong question. I understand that.
Psalm 143:10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let Your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. (CEV)
Micah 6:8 reminds us that the LORD requires of us “…to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Walking humbly with my precious Savior means putting aside my deep need to know the why behind life’s actions and saying instead, “I know You want this of me. Teach me how. Help me to make Your will for my life MY will for my life, even if it hurts, even if it means letting go of something I love deeply. I know what I gain in return, if I act according to Your will, will be far beyond what You ask me to surrender.”
Luke 22:42 “…yet not my will, but Yours be done.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for the image that sparked this reflection, for the difficult spaces You lead us to and always lead us through. Help me to walk humbly with You, deferring to Your fierce love and deep mercy. Give me wisdom and discernment to know what You are calling me to, and grant me Your strength and Your peace as You shepherd me through. Draw me closer. Amen.
Matt 25:23 “…Well done, good and faithful servant….”
Have a blessed day.