I Chronicles 13:4 The entire assembly agreed that it was the right thing to do to bring the Ark of God back. Did the soon-to-be King listen to the people rather than his God? God makes it known in this book that David sinned in how he worshipped his God. His drive to do it right, to be efficient and effective was stronger than his desire to please God. I keep thinking about how he had 300,000 eager, seasoned warriors following him to defend him and make him a king. Verse 15 says that one of them was worth 100 lesser men; the best of them were worth a thousand. Verse 36 says: His band of men seemed as large as God's own army. Did he struggle with pride in being able to lead all these valiant men of God?
One cannot "cave in" to the best way to carry out God's plan. Easy to say. David was too busy rebuilding their lives not the temple. I find myself this very day way-too-occupied with taking care of my life and health problems. Good health. Good success. Good conversation. Good health. Good connection. Good responses. Good health. Good Night!!! "Ever since Eden, we no longer desire relationship with God on His terms above every other good." 66 LL. Well, that's it for me. Do I want Him more ... or is experiencing my well-being, my highest good this day? I walk in for diagnostic tests in a few hours to see where I am with cancer this day. "Since Eden's failure, we are all narcissists, willfully self-centered to the core, often sociably well-disguised but still obesessed more with ourselves than with anyone or anything else." 66 LL. Have Mercy, God! May we not claim this day the right to define our lives and write our own scripts. "So many 'goods' seem more desireable than the good of knowing, honoring, revealing, serving, and pleasing God." 66 LL. So what will I value this day? I will soon find out what my goals really are by the way I live today. My prayer for you and me---make us holy as You Are, for you are holy and we are not.
I am reminded this morning that I am often way too self-occupied as well.
ReplyDeleteI Chron. 14 reminds me to involve God in everything. Seek Him always.
As I read today's Chronicle, I saw a lot of eager people, and wondered also, if their zeal was more for David or God. David did inquire of God before attacking the Philistines. Key word-before. I often get busy in the planning and preparation and find myself not inquiring of God in a lot of things. Then, I pray, what went wrong? Hmm. No wonder in plans that went awry.
ReplyDeleteToday, I'm praying for you Bev, for freedom from any fear and that calm that He gives as you go to the doctor.
Bev, I echo Annette's prayer for you today as you go to the doctor...two of us agree in prayer, so it will be done. I know that that is His will for you, that you have no fear and that His peace will flood you as you go to the doctor. Your post touches me to the core and makes me have to step back and examine my own heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love..Mary Lou
Bev, I'm praying Isaish 26:3-4 for you this morning. "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Love you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for today's post. Lots to think about. As much as I want God and His way to be my highest good, I also have the to-do list buzzing through my brain. I struggle with what it looks like to follow God whole-heartedly in my daily life because it is SO EASY to fall back to my old ways.
Even as I was reading this morning, in the back of my mind I was wondering about some of the adoption details. Where is my birth certificate?? Why is it taking so darn long?? Why hasn't the social worker called me back yet??
In the midst of it, I'm trying to not be demanding of God or others, but is it wrong that these things even come to mind?? Kind of like the common question - is it a sin to be tempted?? So I wrestle because I know my temptations do become sin when I dwell on them, as I have with the adoption stuff. What will I value today?
Love being on this journey with each of you. Your comments bless me every day!
As I read Chronicles I just thought about my Holiness. I am truly seeking God's holiness in my life today.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I had forgotten that I am allergic to some foods. It has been well over five years since I have tasted this delicacy however, God reminded me graciously I only took a few bites. This reminded me that sin is sin and there is a price to pay. I must remember to keep that delicacy out of my mouth. The result was much sleep in the last 24 hours. Praise God in His kindness to me with sweet rest and sleep. Praise God it was only a few bites.
Bev, as I read the posts, I go to my current scripture memory.
Psalm 112:7-8
She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, TRUSTING in the LORD.
Her heart is secure, She will have no fear; in the end she will look in triump on her foes.
What does it take for my heart to be STEADFAST?
Bev may you receive rich blessing from your faithfullness to HIM.
This is a Song I must sing to my precious String of Pearls community. You bless me much.
Sylvia
God's Word.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening to the "Mary of Bethany" cds by Beth Moore when I travel back and forth to work.
She mentions that studying the scriptures needs to be relationship with God. It should be HOT Words like we can feel His breath as we read from our bibles. All scripture is God-breathed.
The moment when the Ark slipped on the cart...can you feel the drama?
There they are celebrating and...oops. The great and holy Ark of the Covenant slipped to the ground almost. Uzzah reaches out to stop the fall, zealous for God's holy Ark to be safe.
And he DIES!
Oh my, but what if God struck us dead on the spot for our disobedience????
The Ark was holy. Because of what it carried.
We are holy because of "Who" we carry in us...God's Holy Ghost.
Listen to these God-breathed Words and ponder how God sees you as a warrior of the faith. A Daniel? A Paul? An Esther? A Joseph?
Each one of us has the potential in us to do great things for God. Tomorrow is our National Day of Prayer. Be a warrior for God on your knees tomorrow. There is NO Greater Call of God than prayer and humbly seeking His Face.
1 Chronicles 12
"These Gadites were the cream of the crop—any one of them was worth a hundred lesser men, and the best of them were worth a thousand. They were the ones who crossed the Jordan when it was at flood stage in the first month, and put everyone in the lowlands to flight, both east and west."
I just love picturing these great fighters...like lions and gazelles. God wants us holy. We can't be self-occupied. We have to be hitting our stride with our Good God. Do you hear the sound of Him going before us...
He wants us to go forth with Him.
Such beautiful hearts for God. Love your posts and comments.
ReplyDelete