231st Week, I Chronicles Chapters 20-24 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro 

Monday, I Chronicles Chapter 20

I Chronicles 20

Verse 1

Tanya Ruden

Verse 1:  In the spring...David remained in Jerusalem.

THOUGHT

I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait for spring! This winter has been so long and cold, and all I want to do after I put on my sweatpants is crawl into bed and not move.  I can see why bears hibernate during the winter. So when I read the word spring, I thought I would focus on this verse.

I have to admit; I used my notes in my Bible for this chapter.  It states that during this time (spring) David was supposed to head out with his army and help instigate all the plans they had plotted over the winter, but instead he stayed behind.  It was during this time he had his affair with Bathsheba.  How many of us make big plans during the winter for the springtime?  Do we take action or send someone else to do our plans? David decided to stay home, not following the plans God had laid before him during the winter time.

Take this winter time to listen to God (as you are curled up in a blanket). Work with Him to develop plans for your spring.  Lastly, move forward. Don’t let Satan talk you out of these plans or make excuses for not doing them. Don’t give temptation a foothold in your inactivity.

PRAYER

Father God, winter is such a challenging time to be motivated. It is so cold, and it is so easy to talk ourselves out of doing things whether they are things you have placed on our heart to do or things we have set as goals to complete. God, give us energy to do Your Will and don’t allow the inactivity in our lives to lead to the devil’s work - as doing nothing.  Although it seems harmless, it can be trouble when you have called us to “go and make disciples”.   AMEN

Tuesday, I Chronicles Chapter 21

I Chronicles 21

Tanya Ruden

THOUGHT

I thought this was a great chapter with so many themes to touch on. First of all, David fell to Satan’s enticement.  Remember, Satan doesn’t force us to sin.  He is active and dangles carrots in front of us, and we can only defeat him with God’s help.  David fell into his suggestion, even ignoring Joab’s conversation that this was a bad idea. Just a reminder - Satan is real; he is sneaky.

How often do we justify our sin? I know speaking for myself that I have enough sins for all of us.  How do we fall into them?  Do we surround ourselves with people who are Godly and imitators of Jesus Christ?  Keep an eye out for those around you trying to help you (like Joab), and pray for strength to resist Satan.

The real thing that struck me in this chapter was when David had to make the decision of the punishment for his sin.  WOW!  I can’t imagine if I would have been faced with that decision.  That parent/child relationship with God is so real.  God, the parent, is making a point with His discipline, and I would bet David would think twice before falling from God’s plan again.  We parents really hate to discipline as much as the kids hate receiving it. Can you imagine how tough that punishment was for God?  It was affecting His other children and people in His kingdom.  However, without severe punishment, how do we learn?  I know if I let my kids make up their own punishment, they would not learn discipline very well.  I have asked them before.  What would you take away if you were the parent?  They would pick the lamest toy they own or some event they aren’t even going to.  We as parents have to pick the tough item. It is amazing how quickly they learn though.

PRAYER

Father God, being a parent is tough.  As the ultimate Father, You have shown us that many times discipline is hard.  We see it in Your Word.  May we as parents watch You and learn from You. Give us strength as we discipline our children and raise them according to Your will on this earth.  AMEN

Wednesday, I Chronicles Chapter 22

I Chronicles 22

Verse 7 

Heather Proehl

Verse 7:  David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God.”

THOUGHT

God told David he would not be the one to build the temple. Instead the task would be left to his son Solomon.  David graciously accepted this “no” from God.  He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God’s temple, but instead made preparations for Solomon to carry out his task.  Similarly, we should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God’s purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions, but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools, showing them how to pray and study God’s Word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of church involvement.  (Bible Footnotes)

I wanted to talk about 2 things from this footnote. First of all, how many of us parents have lived ‘vicariously’ through our children’s lives?  I can’t help but think about how much my mom really wanted long hair and how she always wanted to be a dancer.  I feel like part of her joy in watching me dance was not just because she loved me (and that was her job :), but also that I was somewhat living some dreams she had.  They were very minor silly dreams, but some dreams nonetheless.  I think that is somewhat how David felt. Solomon was able to do what David wanted to do. David wanted him to succeed and supported him however he could. He wasn’t angry or upset about this.  Just like my mom, she took me to dance, watched my recitals, was never mad she never did it, but enjoyed it through me.

Second - We are called as parents to prepare the way for our children. We must pray daily for our children’s purposes to be revealed to them and to us, so that we can support them or divert them when they feel their purpose revealed may not be from God.  Granted, our children will need to make their own decisions, and that starts sooner and sooner.  We must pray we teach them proper decision making and pray for them to make good decisions as they use God’s Word to show them the difference between right and wrong.

PRAYER

Father God, who knew being a parent, was such a tough job? I guess You do.  You are the ultimate Father, attempting to prepare the way for Your children dating back to the children of Israel and leaving Egypt. I pray that You would reveal all of our purposes to us. I pray that You would open our hearts to hear Your purpose and know the difference between Your purpose and others suggested purposes. Give us strength as parents to always support our children and prepare their hearts for Your light to shine in them at all times and in all decisions they make.  May you be the one person they always contact.  AMEN

Thursday, I Chronicles Chapter 23

I Chronicles 23

Verse 14

Heather Proehl

Verse 14:  The sons of Moses, the man of God, were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.

THOUGHT

First of all we need to point out that this census was OK. It was not for a self-service purpose like the first one David did.  It was to organize the work in the temple.  Praise God, David learned to listen.

Praise God for my notes!  “All that is stated here about Moses is that he was “the man of God.” What a profound description of a person!  A man or woman of God is one whose life reflects God’s presence, priorities and power!”

I pray that each of us would strive each day to be a man or woman of God!

PRAYER

Father God, what an honorable description.  I pray that if anyone ever describes me that way, You are glorified, and I am not. May we each strive each day to be a person of You!  We were created in Your likeness.  Your goal is for us to be You on this earth.  Forgive us each day we fall short.  Give us strength each day to strive to reflect You in all we do! AMEN

Friday, I Chronicles Chapter 24

I Chronicles 24

Heather Proehl

THOUGHT

I struggled with this chapter a bit. I finally settled on something from my commentary.  I found it interesting that they cast lots and appointed an order of ministering when they entered the temple.  My commentary stated that the temple service was highly structured.  However, that did not hinder the Spirit of God.  Sometimes we feel that order, planning, and structure are unspiritual activities that may hinder spontaneity in worship, but sometimes they can free us to respond to God.  Order can bring glory to God as we experience the joy, freedom, and calm that come when we have wisely prepared in advance. 

I find that so true!  I can really truly relax and focus when I’m calm and feel that things are put together, organized, and planned. 1f you have ever worked in public accounting, you would find that one of the rules is to really focus on planning.  They suggest something like 40% of the work should be done in planning.  At first I thought that was crazy.  But then I experienced a well-planned audit and realized how much easier it went. They could focus on the task at hand. 

I feel the same way at church as well. I find it a lot easier to focus at Church and in worship when my life is not messed up or out of order. When things are together, I can relax in worship and focus my attention on God. I have learned to respect my worship time as much as I respect my work (audits).

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that when we come to You, we can focus and center our thoughts and minds and words on You alone.  Don’t let us get distracted by the happenings of the world.  AMEN