229th Week, I Chronicles Chapters 10-14 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, I Chronicles Chapter 10

I Chronicles 10

Verse 4

Tanya Ruden

Verse 4: ..so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

THOUGHT

This was a gruesome chapter and kind of a downer.  But I think it goes to show that no one is perfect, and that pressure gets to all of us.  Even Saul knew he sinned.  At the end of the chapter it says, “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance.”  Saul knew better and had some inkling from God what he was supposed to do and what would happen. 

I know I doubt God sometimes and wonder, what is His plan? What is He doing? But I hang on in faith, believing, hoping He does have a plan, and He will guide me through it to a better place. It is human nature to doubt, but it is strength, good friends and family that get us through. 

Saul had just lost his sons, probably the thing that meant the most to him. His odds were not looking good, and he lost sight of the hope and faith  in his heart. His servant tried to stop him and make a difference.  I like to believe he shared God’s plan with him when convincing him to stay alive, but still Saul saw no hope.

May we be hope to the hopeless.  May we shine Jesus’ light to those who seem down, so their outcome is never like Saul’s.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, there are so many experiences where we feel hopeless. Where we feel there is no way the situation can turn out good or we can ever be happy again, etc. Help us always turn to You during those times, knowing You are our hope and with You miracles are possible.  You have a special plan for us. We are special to You even when we don’t feel special to anyone else. Also, Lord, may we reflect Your hope to those around us when they feel like Saul. You have called us to share Your Word.  Give us comfort to do just that along with prayer.  Give us the strength and courage during those times. All praise to the God of HOPE.  AMEN

Tuesday, I Chronicles Chapter 11

I Chronicles 11

Tanya Ruden

THOUGHT

David was brought to possess the throne of Israel after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. God’s counsels will be fulfilled at last whatever difficulties lie in the way. The way to be truly great is to be really useful, to devote all our talents to the Lord.

An account is given of David’s warriors, the great men who served him. Yet David reckoned his success, not as from the mighty men that were with him, but from the mighty God, whose presence is all in all. In strengthening him, they strengthened themselves and their own interest, for his advancement was theirs.  We shall gain by what we do in our places for the support of the kingdom of the Son of David; and those that are faithful to Him, shall find their names registered much more to their honor, than those that are in the records of fame.

Above is some commentary I found surrounding this chapter. I hope this commentary helps you make sense of this chapter which I found terribly confusing (especially the water story). I loved two sentences in this commentary: The way to be truly great is to be really useful and devote all our talents to the Lord. I pray that you each have found your talents God has given you. We all are chosen by God and have a talent.  It may not be the most glamorous talent, and we may long for another talent.  But we all have a talent, and we glorify God by utilizing that talent.  We may ask ourselves, “How is doing accounting a talent God is using?”  Well, through that talent I am ethically and correctly doing accounting, showing a “Jesus” attitude and action.  Through my attitude in meetings I can reflect Jesus. You can find a way to be truly great with any talent God has bestowed upon you. Also, our success is not our own; it is from mighty God, and we must Praise Him when we do succeed.  Remain humble, and remember, without God you can’t do it.

PRAYER

Lord, may we be reminded to give thanks for the many different talents You bestow on all of Your children all around the world.  May we be thankful for that talent and use it for Your Glory and Praise. May we never try to live up to a talent we don’t possess, because then we are not living the plan You have for us. I pray that if any of us are not aware of our talent that You would make it known to us, so

we will have more guidance in utilizing it.  Thank You, Jesus.  AMEN

Wednesday, I Chronicles Chapter 12

I Chronicles 12

Tanya Ruden

THOUGHT

“This is an account of those who appeared and acted as David’s friends, while he was persecuted.  No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompense. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; if we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side.  If in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, He will receive, employ, and advance us.”

The above is from a commentary I found surrounding this chapter.  No dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior. When you think of our “dangers” today, compared with those in this chapter or even those in other countries, it is pretty pathetic what we consider ‘dangerous’.  To my knowledge, proclaiming God or fulfilling our given path of duty, will not cause us death. We could possibly suffer mild persecution, but it is nothing compared to the risky things these people had to go through.  Nothing should keep us from the love of Jesus and beyond that nothing should stop us from sharing the love of Jesus to others.

Lastly, I love this last sentence of this commentary. If we are filled with the Spirit we should desire to ‘declare ourselves on that side’.  I am not sure what that would look like, but personally I think it means that we are so filled with the Spirit of Christ that people can see it in our actions and desires.  We are imitators of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, everything in this devotion I fail at on a regular basis. I am shy to tell others about You.  I am worried what they will think of me or what the effects would be to me, losing sight of the life You are using me to change. Help me each day to surrender this failure over to You, knowing that each day You can help me work hard at it and hopefully someday make a difference. Lord, may Your light in us shine to the point people can see we have embraced the cause of Christ and want to live our lives for that cause.  AMEN

Thursday, I Chronicles Chapter 13

I Chronicles 13

Verse 2a

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 2a:  He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is the will of the Lord our God,”

THOUGHT

This is such an awesome chapter and just loaded. First of all how awesome it is of David to think and desire to get the Ark of the Covenant back with the people who loved God. Remember God instructed them to build the Ark and move it in certain ways and respect it. This was the presence of the Lord with His people. He wanted so badly to be with them, and said that He was between the two doves located on the ark. All God wants is a relationship with us and to be close to us.

David was excited about this venture.  One thing is for sure; David did not pause to seek the Lord’s direction in the venture.  It was his habit to seek the will of God before he acted, but even though it is stated in the verse, he failed. He should have sought out the Lord’s direction upon moving it. It was never to have been moved with a wagon or a cart. There were poles made to do the moving and lifting.  The Levites were the ones the Lord had instructed on the movement and the care. They should have been in charge. The Ark was not to be touched with human hands. That is why even though Uzzah was trying to do the right thing by saving the Ark from a fall, the Lord had to take his life. No matter how successful at the beginning, man’s methods without God will ultimately fail. The time to find out how to do His work is before the job begins, not after the funeral.

This is such a great time to ask for the Lord’s Will in our lives. We all are beginning at different places (Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, Minnesota), and all of our hearts are at different places with our families, jobs, and our relationship with Jesus. What a great time to ask for the Lord to join us and guide us.

PRAYER

Father God, I ask that Your Will be done in each of our lives. Keep our hearts and minds open to the direction You would want us to go. Please put people in our lives that need the breath of life.  Help us to obey You and understand the consequences for when we do not.  What a mighty God You are.  I pray that the Word is alive and active in each of us. For all the blessings that we have - we again say, “We Thank You, Our God, for all”.  AMEN

Friday, I Chronicles Chapter 14

I Chronicles 14

Verse 10b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 10b:  The Lord answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”

THOUGHT

David asked the Lord for guidance and direction. The scripture says that the Lord answered him. It so seems that in the Old Testament people actually heard the Lord’s voice. I wonder if that is true or did David feel the Lord’s direction through quiet time and meditation?

Delores says so often when I am visiting with her that the Lord said or the Lord told her. She is so confident in her decision. Those who are very close to the Lord get direction and affirmation.  I pray many times for direction and guidance and at times need to continue to seek His answer.

When you are seeking guidance and direction, I do believe that the Lord talks to us when all the ways are made clear and very welcoming. Other times there is a feeling in our heart from the Holy Spirit. The most important thing is that we seek Him and be still and listen and watch.

PRAYER

Father God, please speak to us in ways that are so very evident. Keep us focused on You and who You are. May we seek You out each and every day and many times in a day. Thank You for the answers You give us. Please forgive us when we are asking but yet not seeking.  Keep us all in Your loving arms.  AMEN