237 - "God Understands Every Plan and Thought" 1 Chronicles 28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

                                                     

I Chronicles 28:20. A close member of our family passed away in his sweet sleep Memorial morning. Committed to God and the Church. Dedicated to his family. Determined to do the work of the Lord at home, at church, wherever. So, today's reading is a memorial to a man who spent his days in search of truth---and found it.

"My son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you...be strong and do it." I Chron 28:9-10.

So, my son, "be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." I Chron 28:20.

And these words are penned by King David who began his journey as a shepherd boy, not looking for greatness, but responding to a cause.  His journey is dotted with moments of greatness with no armor to face a giant, in a cave sparing his father-in-law, or in a valley honoring the House of Saul.  This same man, marked with moments of wretchedness, loving his son Absalom more than God's will, taking another man's wife and setting up his demise.  

This elderly King, who just wrote Calm and Quiet my soul like a weaned child, this king ends his life well.  Oh! It's what we all hope for.  The day we live for. 

This letter to Corinth ends with resurrection.
Without this hope that 
what has begun in this life for you and for me
will be brought to completion in the next,
then we would have no confidence in what we see.
There is no full revelation of God here.
The unfolding story goes on.
Will I trust in this trial that
the Unfolding of God is going forth.
I Cor 15:10 by the grace of God,
I am what I am.

1 Cor 15:31-32. We are convinced of our own resurrection and yours---guaranteed by the resurrected Messiah Jesus. It is always resurrection that undergirds what we do and what we say and how we live.

1 Cor 15:34 Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life.
 

PHOTO: The sun sets on the corridor of our lives. May we end our lives well.