Day 119: 1 Chronicles 26, 27, 28 and 29

We have given you only what comes from your hand (1 Chronicles 29:14b).

Listen to David’s heart as he splendors in God’s blessing: Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? (29:14a).

Awhile back I read that an eastern European government had regulated the amount its citizens could give to their churches. In fact charitable contributions of all kinds were being limited to two percent out of concern that financial support for terrorist organizations is often disguised as gifts to charities. The writer of the article reported that Christians in those countries are looking for loopholes so they can give more.

Contrast that with wealthier countries where many people find loopholes to give as little as possible, or feel no desire to give at all. Why is it the more we have the tighter our grip? Not so with David and the people of Israel. They were truly grateful for all that God had done for them, and they gave with joyful hearts. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Blessings are given that we might share them with others. Abundance is meant to be passed along. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). Knowing where our gifts come from can transform us into cheerful givers with generous hearts.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Ask God how you can be a cheerful giver. And think about how you could give a little extra this week.

Day 118: 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 24 and 25

They numbered 288 (1 Chronicles 25:7).

David designated 288 men to serve as singers in the new temple. 288 vocalists divided into 24 groups of 12.

What else can be evenly divided into 24 units? Hmmm... a day? Ding, ding, ding. “Congratulations. Johnny, tell him what he’s won.”

“You bet, Bob. You’ve won a BRAND NEW CAR!!!”*.

It has been conjectured that these 12-member teams each served daily 1-hour shifts lifting up their voices to God, so that Solomon’s Temple was blanketed in worship 24 hours a day.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness (Psalm 89:15,16).

John MacArthur writes: “Do you worship God as a way of life? You should! If you find it difficult to worship the Lord . . . on Sundays, it isn’t because the music isn’t right, or the atmosphere isn’t right, or because you got distracted. . . . it’s because you’re not worshiping during the rest of the week. Worship can’t just happen once a week – it’s a way of life. And when Christians do come together once a week, there should be a bursting out of true praise and worship of the heart. The worship that is enjoyed individually will be enriched and enhanced when brought into the joy of the assembly” [8].

Worship: It’s not just for Sunday anymore.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

How do you express your loving submission to God Almighty? How could you develop a lifestyle of worship?

*Just to be clear, nobody's winning anything.

Day 117: 1 Chronicles 19, 20 and 21

Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? (NIV 1984, 1 Chronicles 19:3).

During the days of Saul there was great enmity between Israel and Ammon. Saul’s decisive victory over the Ammonite forces cemented his position as king over Israel. We learn in verse 2 that David held the Ammonite king Nahash in high regard. The text doesn’t spell out for us why that is, except with a vague reference to some kindness shown David. It is probable that Nahash may have provided David refuge during the time he was hiding from Saul. Whatever the case, upon Nahash’s death, David wanted to show kindness to his son Hanun in return for the kindness he’d been shown years earlier. Not only was it the right thing to do, but it should have also served to strengthen the tentative alliance between the two nations.

When the Israeli envoys arrived in Ammon they were greeted with suspicion. Hanun’s advisors encouraged him to deal harshly with this threat, and the order was given for the ambassadors to be humiliated. Diplomacy demands that when an ambassador is welcomed, he is to be received as though he were the king himself. Not only were the envoys humiliated, but David and all Israel were shamed as well by this despicable act. The resulting conflict would result in Ammon’s destruction.

Have you ever suffered a lapse in judgment and questioned someone’s motives who had only your best interest in mind?

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Is there someone in your life who deserves the benefit of the doubt?

Day 116: 1 Chronicles 16, 17 and 18

David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering (1 Chronicles 16:39,40).

In approximately 1050 BC the Philistines won a decisive victory over the confederated tribes of Israel at Shiloh. Though Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield as its ultimate weapon, it did them no good, and they were soundly thrashed in a major defeat leaving Israel subservient to Philistia.

Philistine celebration soon turned to concern and then panic as the power of God turned against them. They sent the ark back to Israel where it found a resting place in Kiriath-Jearim.

For over fifty years the ark remained there in the care of Abinadab’s family. Never during the reign of Saul did he inquire of the ark. When David conquered Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel, he retrieved the ark placing it in the new tent he had built for it there.

At some point after the defeat at Shiloh, Moses’ tabernacle was moved to Gibeon, and from today’s passage it seems that sacrificial worship continued there – business as usual. One difference: God was not there. The Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence) was housed elsewhere.

How life changing could worship be that doesn’t require the presence of God?

TODAY’S MEDITATION

When’s the last time you encountered God’s palpable presence in worship? What was that like?

Day 115: 1 Chronicles 13, 14 and 15

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul (1 Chronicles 13:3).

When King Saul wanted advice he went to the Prophet Samuel, but most of the time he trusted his instincts, leading according to his own strengths. For many years Saul’s reign over Israel seemed successful, even though he neglected the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of the presence of God). After Samuel’s death, rather than go to the priests or visit the ark to encounter God, Saul chose to consult a witch. And in the end, the burdens and responsibilities of leading God’s people proved too heavy a burden for his broad shoulders.

David had a lot going for him. He was a cunning military leader, made great political decisions and, because of his charisma and wisdom, his people loved him. But David never forgot where his success – including his gifts and strengths – came from.

David wanted God close to him, so he built a new tent to house the Ark of the Covenant in his capital city. Even though it took a couple attempts to accomplish the task, he brought the ark into Jerusalem, installed it in its new home, and gave it the place of prominence that reflected God’s prominence in his own life.

Some people are content to just get by. Some want to accomplish great things possible only with God’s help and strength.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

What about you? What does God want to help you accomplish?

Day 114: 1 Chronicles 10, 11 and 12

[These fighting men] came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:38).

Most casual readers of the Bible think David became king of Israel immediately upon the tragic deaths of Saul and Jonathan (as first-born, Jonathan was in line for the throne). What they fail to realize is that Saul had another son named Ish-Bosheth, who received the kingdom upon his father’s death.

While Ish-Bosheth did not enjoy the confidence of the people, he did have the support of Abner, Saul’s highest ranking general. This was a relationship of convenience. Ish-Bosheth needed Abner’s strength to secure for him the kingdom, and politically Abner needed Ish-Bosheth in place until he could seize the kingdom for himself.

Saul had been thinking of his sons and future generations when he exiled David, seeing him as a threat to his throne. He exiled him to erase that threat. But even while David was running for his life, a growing band of skilled fighters rallied around him.

In the mean time, upon hearing of Saul’s death, the men of Judah proclaimed David king and he reigned in Hebron, Judah’s tribal capital. David had a charisma that Ish-Bosheth lacked, and today’s reading illustrates the transfer of power as a steady stream of supporters gathered around him in Hebron.

No one could have been more loyal to Saul than was David. He knew the first step toward being a good leader is to be a good follower.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

This week, how can you be a good follower?

Day 113: 1 Chronicles 7, 8 and 9

Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock (1 Chronicles 7:21).

Within this History of the World is inserted what amounts to little more than a parenthetical note regarding two sons of Ephraim. Though Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, Jacob (Ephraim’s grandfather) gave him the best blessing, which normally would have gone to his older brother Manasseh.

Because of the limitations of ancient languages, and some particularly awkward sentence structure, it’s difficult to say exactly why Ezer and Elead were caught in a conflict with the men of Gath. Some commentators say men from Gath raided the Israelites in Goshen and the brothers died defending their livestock. Others say it was Ezer and Elead who were the thieves and they died when they were caught stealing from the herds of Gath.

Most translations leave the statement ambiguous. Then again the NLT places blame with Ezer and Elead, and the Amplified Bible says they were heroes. There’s anecdotal evidence in support of both scenarios, but we just don’t know.

Here’s what we do know: Jacob’s kind words over Ephraim did not guarantee him a life free from sadness. In spite of his grandfather’s blessing, this was a man who knew the heartache of burying his children.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Have you ever felt betrayed by God? What does it do to your faith to realize believers suffer the same tragedies as (or even worse than) those who don’t believe? How is that fair?

Day 112: 1 Chronicles 4, 5 and 6

His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain” (1 Chronicles 4:9).

Not everyone gets to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The mere mention of your name may not cause doors of opportunity to swing wide in welcome. And if town leaders offer you the key to the city just because of where you came from… you can stop reading right now.

Jabez didn’t live that kind of life. There was nothing special about Jabez’s family. Koz, his father (verse eight lists Koz as the father of Hazzobebah, which is probably a variant of the name Jabez), had an A-list half-brother named Tekoa. Besides that, Koz was the youngest of four brothers, not counting his other half-brothers. When it came time to split up the inheritance, there probably wasn’t much left for Koz.

And Jabez wasn’t even Koz’s firstborn son. There was Anub, who would get a double share of the estate (what estate there was) as his birthright.

And if that wasn’t enough, the day of his birth was a bad day for Jabez’s mother. To commemorate a difficult birth she named him Pain.

But Jabez had one thing going for him. He knew where to turn for help. “Oh, that you would, bless me.” . . . And God granted his request (4:10).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

You may have lots of strikes against you. Does any of that really matter when you have a God who’s for you? Imagine a life unconfined by self-imposed limitations.

Day 111: 1 Chronicles 1, 2 and 3

Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mehalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah (1 Chronicles 1:1-3).

How’s that for launching right into the genealogical history of the world? No introduction, no beating around the bush. Sort of like a Billy Graham stadium event where his first words are: “Won’t you come?”

According to Walter Brueggemann, the first three chapters of 1 Chronicles make a “wondrous sweep” of the past, delivering us to post-exilic times [5]. Chronicles was likely written late in Israel’s Persian period, sometime after mid-sixth century BC.

At times over the next three weeks as we read the story of Israel (after the northern kingdom Israel fell in 722 BC, the name Israel defaulted to the southern kingdom Judah), it will seem like, Didn’t I just read this? At other times, we’ll read a chapter and think, “That doesn’t quite agree with what I read in Kings.”

Again to reference Brueggemann, this is a “revised version of Israel’s memory” [6]. Consider it like this. Joshua to 2 Kings is the Deuteronomic History. It tells exiled Israel’s story looking back through time. How did we end up here? Chronicles covers the same time period (even more – it goes all the way back to Adam), but rather than looking backward, Chronicles sees those same events in the light of looking ahead. Can what we’ve been through teach us something as we begin a new chapter in our lives? Same events. Different perspective.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

How might your life look different if you observed its events through different lenses?

Day 119: 1 Chronicles 26, 27, 28 and 29

We have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:14b)

Listen to David's heart as he splendors in God's blessing: Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? (29:14a)

Awhile back I read that an eastern European government had regulated the amount its citizens could give to their churches. In fact charitable contributions of all kinds were being limited to 2% because of the concern that financial support for terrorist organizations is often disguised as gifts to charities. The writer of the article reported that Christians in those countries are looking for loopholes so they can give more.

Contrast that with wealthier countries where many people feel no desire to give at all, or find loopholes to give as little as possible. Why is it the more we have the tighter our grip? Not so with David and the people of Israel. They were truly grateful for all that God had done for them, and they gave with joyful hearts. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Blessings are given that we might share them with others. Abundance is meant to be passed along. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). Knowing where our gifts come from can transform us into cheerful givers with generous hearts.

How can you cheerfully give extra this week?

Day 118: 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 24 and 25

They numbered 288. (1 Chronicles 25:7)

David set aside 288 men to serve as singers in the new temple. 288 vocalists divided into 24 groups of 12.

What else can be evenly divided into 24 units? Hmmm... a day? Ding, ding, ding. Congratulations. Johnny, tell him what he's won. You bet, Bob. You've won a BRAND NEW CAR!!! [1]

It has been conjectured that these 12-member teams each served daily 1-hour shifts lifting up their voices to God, so that Solomon’s Temple was blanketed in worship 24 hours a day.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness (Psalm 89:15,16).

John MacArthur writes: Do you worship God as a way of life? You should! If you find it difficult to worship the Lord . . . on Sundays, it isn’t because the music isn’t right, or the atmosphere isn’t right, or because you got distracted. . . .it’s because you’re not worshiping during the rest of the week. Worship can’t just happen once a week – it’s a way of life. And when Christians do come together once a week, there should be a bursting out of true praise and worship of the heart. The worship that is enjoyed individually will be enriched and enhanced when brought into the joy of the assembly. [2]

Worship: It’s not just for Sunday anymore.

How could you develop a lifestyle of worship?

[1] Just to be clear – no one is getting a new car.

[2] MacArthur, John. True Worship. I no longer have access to this text and have been unable to find copyright information.

Day 117: 1 Chronicles 19, 20 and 21

Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? (1 Chronicles 19:3)

During the days of Saul there was great enmity between Israel and Ammon. Saul’s decisive victory over the Ammonite forces cemented his position as king over Israel. We learn in verse 2 that David held the Ammonite king Nahash in high regard. The text doesn’t spell out for us why that is, except with a vague reference to some kindness shown David. It is probable that Nahash may have provided David refuge during the time he was hiding from Saul. Whatever the case, upon Nahash’s death, David wanted to show kindness to his son Hanun in return for the kindness he’d been shown years earlier. Not only was it the right thing to do, but it should have also served to strengthen the tentative alliance between the two nations.

When the Israeli envoys arrived in Ammon they were greeted with suspicion. Hanun’s advisors encouraged him to deal harshly with this threat, and the order was given for the ambassadors to be humiliated. Diplomacy demands that when an ambassador is welcomed, he is to be received as though he were the king himself. Not only were the envoys humiliated, but David and all Israel were shamed as well by this despicable act.

The resulting conflict would result in Ammon’s destruction.

Have you ever suffered a lapse in judgment and questioned someone’s motives when they deserved the benefit of the doubt?

Day 116: 1 Chronicles 16, 17 and 18

David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering... (1 Chronicles 16:39,40)

In approximately 1050 BC the Philistines won a decisive victory over the confederated tribes of Israel at Shiloh. Though Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield as its ultimate weapon, it did them no good, and they were soundly thrashed in a major defeat leaving Israel subservient to Philistia.

Philistine celebration soon turned to concern and then panic as the power of God turned against them. They sent the ark back to Israel where it found its rest in Kiriath-Jearim.

For over fifty years the ark remained there in the care of Abindadab’s family. Never during the reign of Saul did he inquire of the ark. When David conquered Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel, he retrieved the ark placing it in the new tent he had built for it there.

At some point after the defeat at Shiloh, Moses’ tabernacle was moved to Gibeon, and from today’s passage it seems that sacrificial worship continued there – business as usual. One difference: God was not there. The Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence) was housed elsewhere.

How life changing could worship be that doesn’t require the presence of God?

When’s the last time you encountered God’s manifest presence?

Day 115: 1 Chronicles 13, 14 and 15

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul. (1 Chronicles 13:5)

When King Saul wanted advice he went to the Prophet Samuel, but most of the time he trusted his instincts, leading according to his own strengths. For many years, Saul’s reign over Israel seemed successful, even though he neglected the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of the presence of God). After Samuel’s death, rather than go to the priests or visit the ark to encounter God, Saul chose to consult a witch. And in the end, the burdens and responsibilities of leading God’s people proved too heavy a burden for his broad shoulders.

David had a lot going for him. He was a cunning military leader, made great political decisions and, because of his charisma and wisdom, his people loved him. But David never forgot where his success – including his gifts and strengths – came from.

David wanted God close to him, so he built a new tent to house the Ark of the Covenant in his capital city. Even though it took a couple attempts to accomplish the task, he brought the ark into Jerusalem, installed it in its new home, and gave it the place of prominence that reflected God’s prominence in his own life.

Some people are content to just get by. Some want to accomplish great things possible only with God’s help and strength.

What about you?

Day 114: 1 Chronicles 10, 11 and 12

[These fighting men] came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. (1 Chronicles 12:38)

Most casual readers of the Bible think David became king of Israel immediately upon the tragic deaths of Saul and Jonathan (as first-born, Jonathan was in line for the throne). What they fail to realize is that Saul had another son named Ish-Bosheth, who received the kingdom upon his father’s death.

While Ish-Bosheth did not enjoy the confidence of the people, he did have the support of Abner, Saul’s highest ranking general. This was a relationship of convenience. Ish-Bosheth needed Abner’s strength to secure for him the kingdom, and politically Abner needed Ish-Bosheth in place until he could seize the kingdom for himself.

Remember, Saul exiled David because he considered him a threat to his throne. And while no one could have been more loyal to Saul than was David, the king was thinking of his sons and future generations. Even while he was running for his life, a growing band of skilled fighters rallied around David.

In the mean time, upon hearing of Saul’s death, the men of Judah proclaimed David king and he reigned in Hebron, Judah’s tribal capital. David had a charisma that Ish-Bosheth lacked, and today’s reading illustrates the transfer of power as a steady stream of supporters gathered around him in Hebron.

David knew the first step toward being a good leader is to be a good follower.

This week, how can you be a good follower?

Day 113: 1 Chronicles 7, 8 and 9

Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock. (NIV, 1 Chronicles 7:21)

Within this History of the World is inserted what amounts to little more than a parenthetical note regarding two sons of Ephraim. Though Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, Jacob (Ephraim’s grandfather) gave him the best blessing, which normally would have gone to his older brother Manasseh.

Because of the limitations of ancient languages, and some particularly awkward sentence structure, it’s difficult to say exactly why Ezer and Elead were caught in a conflict with the men of Gath. Some commentators say men from Gath raided the Israelites in Goshen and the brothers died defending their livestock. Others say it was Ezer and Elead who were the thieves and they died when they were caught stealing from the herds of Gath.

Most translations leave the statement ambiguous. Then again the NLT places blame with Ezer and Elead, and the Amplified Bible says they were heroes. There’s anecdotal evidence in support of both scenarios, but we just don’t know.

Here’s what we do know: Jacob’s kind words over Ephraim did not guarantee him a life free from sadness. In spite of his grandfather’s blessing, this was a man who knew the heartache of burying his children.

How does it make you feel when believers suffer the same tragedies as (or even worse than) those who don’t believe?

Day 112: 1 Chronicles 4, 5 and 6

His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” (1 Chronicles 4:9)

Not everyone gets to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The mere mention of your name may not cause doors of opportunity to swing wide in welcome. And if town leaders offer you the key to the city just because of where you came from… you can stop reading right now.

Jabez didn’t live that kind of life. There was nothing special about Jabez’s family. Koz, his father (verse 8 lists Koz as the father of Hazzobebah, which is probably a variant of the name Jabez), had an A-list half-brother named Tekoa. Besides that Koz was the youngest of four brothers, not counting his other half-brothers. When it came time to split up the inheritance, there may not have been much left for Koz.

And Jabez wasn’t even Koz’s firstborn son. There was Anub, who would get a double share of the estate (what estate there was) as his birthright.

And if that wasn’t enough, the day of his birth was a bad day for Jabez’s mother. To commemorate a difficult birth she named him Pain.

But Jabez had one thing going for him. He knew where to turn for help. “O God, bless me.” . . . And God granted his request (4:10).

You may have lots of strikes against you. Does any of that really matter when you have a God who’s for you?

Day 111: 1 Chronicles 1, 2 and 3

Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mehalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. (1 Chronicles 1:1-3)

How’s that for launching right into the genealogical history of the world? No introduction, no beating around the bush. Sort of like a Billy Graham stadium event where his first words are: Won’t you come?

According to Walter Brueggemann, the first three chapters of 1 Chronicles make a wondrous sweep of the past, delivering us to post-exilic times. [1] Chronicles was likely written late in Israel’s Persian period, sometime mid-sixth century BC or later.

At times over the next three weeks as we read the story of Israel (after the northern kingdom Israel fell in 722 BC, the name Israel defaulted to the southern kingdom Judah), it will seem like, Didn’t I just read this? At other times, we’ll read a chapter and think, That doesn’t quite agree with what I read in Kings.

Again to reference Brueggemann, this is a revised version of Israel’s memory. [2] Consider it like this. Joshua to 2 Kings is the Deuteronomic History. It tells exiled Israel’s story looking back through time. How did we end up here? Chronicles covers the same time period (even more – it goes all the way back to Adam), but rather than looking backward, Chronicles sees those same events in the light of looking ahead. Can what we’ve been through teach us something as we begin a new chapter in our lives? Same events. Different perspective.

Would it do you good to look at the events of your life through different lenses?

[1] Walter Brueggemann, An Introduction to the Old Testament (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003), 375.

[2] Ibid.

Day 119: 1 Chronicles 26, 27,28 and 29

We have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:14b)

Listen to David's heart as he splendors in God's blessing: Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this (29:14a)?

I read where an eastern European government has regulated the amount its citizens can give to their churches. Charitable contributions are limited to 2% - the thinking being that support for terrorist organizations is often disguised as gifts to charities. Christians in those countries are looking for loopholes so they can give more.

Contrast that with wealthier countries where many people try not to give at all, or find loopholes to give as little as possible. Not so with David and the people of Israel. They were truly grateful for all that God had done for them, and they gave with joyful hearts. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Knowing where our good gifts come from transforms us into cheerful people with giving hearts.

How can you cheerfully give extra this week?

Day 118: 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 24 and 25

They numbered 288. (1 Chronicles 25:7)

David set aside 288 men to serve as singers in the new temple. 288 vocalists divided into 24 groups of 12.

What else can be evenly divided into 24 units? Hmmm... a day? Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Congratulations! Johnny, tell him what he's won. You bet, Bob. You've won a BRAND NEW CAR!!! [1]

It has been conjectured that these 24 12-member worship teams each served 1-hour shifts every day lifting up their voices in praise to God, so that worship was offered continuously in Solomon's Temple.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long, they exult in your righteousness (Psalm 89:15,16).

Worship. It's not just for Sunday anymore.

How could you develop a lifestyle of worship?

[1] Just to be clear - no one is getting a new car.