Bible Pathways - May 20, 2009
May 20
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Check out the army. Divided into divisions; how many are in each? How many days do they serve each year? Pretty unique! As his final royal gesture, David calls all Israel's leaders and Solomon and gives full instructions from God on how to run the nation when he's gone. Then he gives God even more of his wealth for the Temple and the officials willingly give too! WOW!
In the last year of David's reign he assembled all the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies (28:1). Then he stood up and told the people how God had chosen Solomon to build His Temple. He told Solomon once again what his greatest concern was to be: Keep and seek (to be familiar with) . . . all the Commandments of the Lord. . . . 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 forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever (28:8-9).
After this, David offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in the Scripture — a prayer of thanksgiving, praise, and adoration, and his great love. He blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said . . . 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; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all (29:10-12). It was the highlight of the day and a glorious acknowledgment of the blessings of God. It is implied that the people's hearts were full as all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord (29:20).
This illustrates the proper attitude for prayer. When we draw near to God (Ps. 73:28; Heb. 10:22; James 4:8) in prayer, it should not simply be to ask Him to forgive us of our sins and then speak of the numerous things that we still want from Him. Instead, prayer is to be a time of praising and acknowledging Him for His greatness and holiness as Jesus did when He taught us to pray: Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed (kept holy) be Thy Name (Matt. 6:9). The Lord has taught us how we should adore Him and worship Him with thanksgiving for who He is, what He has given, and what He has promised. If we recognize that we are totally dependent on God for everything, it will lead us to praise Him.
"Worship" is more than merely singing, praying, or preaching. True worship is experienced in the heart of the worshiper. In every circumstance we should praise the Lord. To grumble about our circumstances is to express dissatisfaction with His arrangement of our lives. This is really questioning the wisdom and love of God for us. In every thing give thanks (I Thess. 5:18).
Thought for Today:
A person can be obedient and still miss out on the blessing of God by having a bad attitude or complaining about what God has asked them to do.
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 Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Reverend Homer & Mary Ann Williams • Staff: Ilene Wallace • Government Officials: Sen. Mike Crapo (ID), Rep. Wally Herger (CA), and Rep. Nick Rahall II (WV) • Country: Mexico (99.7 million) in North America • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 89% Catholic; 6% Protestant; 3.5% None; 1.5% Other (Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray without anger or resentment in your heart (I Tim. 2:8).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 7
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:21
