Bible Pathway - May 20, 2011
Read 1 Chronicles 27
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 had 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 to obey 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. David said, Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord , and Thou art exalted as Head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might . . . to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and 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, as well as for what He has given us. As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will praise Him for His provision. When we neglect to praise the Lord daily, our worship can become a mere ritual. Every day, under every circumstance, in every thing give thanks (I Thess. 5: 18). To grumble about our circumstances is to express dissatisfaction with God and to question His wisdom and His love for us.
Kneeling, bowing the head, and stretching forth hands are all expressions of worship. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, David wrote: 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:
Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given Commandment to save me; for Thou art my Rock and my fortress (Ps. 71:3).
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, details; 29:1 tender, inexperienced; 29:3 proper good, personal treasure; 29:15 none abiding, soon gone; 29:19 palace, Temple.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Radio Broadcast in honor of Rick Hash • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Government Officials: Sen. Mike Crapo (ID), Rep. Wally Herger (CA), Rep. Nick Rahall II (WV), and Rep. John Carney (DE) • Country: Guinea (8 million) on the Atlantic coast of western Africa • Major languages: French and tribal languages • Freedom for nationals, but strict limitations on missionaries • 83% Muslim; 12% tribal religions; 4% Roman Catholic; .6% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice and consider yourself blessed when you suffer for the Name of Christ (I Pet. 4:14).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 7
Memory Verse for the Week: John 15:7
