Serve God Accordingly 05.17.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday May 17, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of I Chronicles. Please read Chapters 14-16 in your Bible or Click Here to read.

In today's message we will read and learn about King Hiram's kindness to David; the Philistines defeat; the Ark brought to Jerusalem; and David's psalm of thanksgiving. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that when serving God that we need to do it wholeheartedly and according to His will.

During the forty years that Saul reigned over Israel, the Ark was ignored. But when David became king, he was deeply concerned that the Ark ( which was above where God's presence dwelt) have a central place in his kingdom. "And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it." (I Chronicles 15:1-3).

David first attempted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem on a new cart drawn by oxen, but this was a violation of the Law of God (Exodus 25:13-15; Numbers 4:15; 7:9). As Uzzah reached out to steady the tilting Ark on the cart, he was struck dead (II Samuel 6:1-8).

On the second occasion David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it. David carefully obeyed God's Word, telling the priests to sanctify themselves and bear the Ark of God upon their shoulders as Moses commanded according to the Word of the Lord. "And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD." (15:11-15).

Soon after establishing his capital in Jerusalem, David united the nation for a glorious time of praising the Lord while bringing the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem. "So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy." (15:25).

To demonstrate his reverence for God, and in recognition that God was the Supreme Ruler, David humbly laid aside his kingly garments and dressed in a plain linen ephod, a garment the priests wore when ministering before the Lord. In doing this, "And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps." (15:27-28). David was publicly acknowledging his submission to the authority of the supreme King and expressing adoration and praise to his Lord as Almighty God and the true King of Israel.

On that day, David provided an inspiring psalm for his choir to sing, (See I Chronicles 16:8-31). Today, it still lifts our spirits as we worship our wonderful Lord.

Is it any surprise that David was a man after God's own heart ?
Yes, the Lord reigns. He is sovereign and the world needs to hear us praise the Lord, talk of all His wondrous works, and see us living in obedience to Him.

God's work must be done His way and not in our way, if we are not following His Instruction He will face us with difficulties until we see that we are not following His commands. It is only as we serve the Lord according to His Word that we enjoy His presence and receive His blessing. "And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:27-29).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through David's fame and exaltation (I Chronicles 14:17). God highly exalted Christ, our Redeemer, and gave Him a Name which is above every name. (Philippians 2:9-11).

Today's Psalm: 92:1-2
"IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,"

Have a great and wonderful Saturday and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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