Bible Pathway - May 20, 2010
Highlights:
David assigns twelve captains and twelve chief officers (one from each tribe) to be overseers and counselors. He charges Solomon to build the Temple according to the pattern from God. David's gifts for the Temple; his thanks and prayer; Solomon made king; David's death.
David reigned over Israel forty years; seven years . . . in Hebron, and thirty and three years . . . in Jerusalem (I Chr. 29:27). In his last year, David assembled all the tribal princes and military captains. He told them how God had chosen Solomon to build His Temple and that their greatest concern should be obedience to all the Commandments of the Lord your God (28:8). Then David charged Solomon: Know . . . the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever (28:9).
David then offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in the Scriptures: Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for . . . Thine . . . is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty . . . Thou art exalted as Head above all. . . . we . . . praise Thy glorious Name (29:10-13).
David's heartfelt prayer is a reminder to all of us that prayer should be a time of praising and worshiping God with thanksgiving for who He is. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever (I Tim. 1:17). Even when we face difficult times our hearts should also overflow with thanksgiving for what He has given us and what He has chosen us to do, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph. 2:10). As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will praise Him. All things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23). In every thing give thanks. . . . unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:20). To complain about our circumstances is to express dissatisfaction with God.
The Holy Spirit inspired David to write: Lift up your hands in the Sanctuary, and bless the Lord (Ps. 134:2). I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (I Tim. 2:8).
Thought for Today:
Every man (person) that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure (I John 3:3).
Christ Revealed:
Through the gold offered for the Temple by David from his personal wealth (I Chr. 29:3-5). Gold is the purest metal (Rev. 21:21) and represents the preciousness and great worth of Christ. He is pure (undefiled) (I John 3:3).
Word Studies:
27:2 course =division; 28:19 works =b> details; 29:1 tender =b> inexperienced; 29:3 proper good =b> personal treasure; 29:15 none abiding =b> soon gone; 29:19 palace =b> Temple.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Radio Broadcast in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Government Officials: Sen. Mike Crapo (ID), Rep. Wally Herger (CA), and Rep. Nick Rahall II (WV) • Country: Kuwait (2 million) in the northeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula • Major languages: Arabic and English • Some religious freedom • 95% Muslim; 4% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to work in your life in whatever way pleases Him (Heb. 13:21).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 7
Memory Verse for the Week: John 1:5
