Why is it I think we are judged by how we grow our own kingdoms?
I don't see life that way anymore.
Randy Alcorn writes: "Let's face together what Satan can do to us.
Lie down face to face with your spouse and
wake up shoulder to shoulder.
Dispatched to serve.
May God's Kingdom Come Quickly and
may He find us faithful."
I Chron 27:23 ~ David learns to never "count" his kingdom again. Yesterday, it was Satan standing up to move David.. Today, it's David standing up to say, no more. And Joab decides to "count" his people and Israel paid for it, big time.
There's a mess I'm right in the middle of---counting sheep---and parts of me say, "No More."
Yet parts of me keep mulling over the current scenario ... and I wonder why I cannot get it off of my mind.
And God knew I would be reading this passage, while this incident reads my mind through my waking day.
And in chapter 27, what happens that pertains to this "thorn in my flesh?" Found: Mighty Men of Valor. O God, that's it. I want to be found mighty in You not mighty in society. I Chron 26:32~ found trusting, not found wanting: for every matter that concerns God! So what if Satan sends incessant thoughts all day. They have no home here. Wisdom! Courage! Strength! Holy Energy! Constancy of mind! God is moving powerfully in my weakness.
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Psalm 56:8 ~ Count my tossings. Put my tears in your bottle.
O God, for however long I keep thinking about these things, give me constancy of mind, constancy of truth, constancy of will. Help us all to be found faithful this day in whatever comes our way. Amen.
OVERVIEW: I Chronicles 25-27
Amen Bev!
ReplyDeleteFound this in Matthew Henry's commentary: "Singing the praises of God is here called prophesying (Chapter 25 v. 1-3), not that all those who were employed in this service were honoured with the visions of God, or could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be the king’s seer in the words of God (v. 5); but the psalms they sang were composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and the edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the glory of God."
ReplyDeleteThese chapters tell of all the appointed positions in God's service, in David's kingdom. Something interesting that stood out at the end of chapter 27 is whom David surrounded himself for his personal counselors--a wise uncle, Jehiel (his kids' teacher), Ahithophel (his counselor), and Hushai (his personal friend)--not many people for a king, but well-chosen confidants.
Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that "a man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." David says he prefers God's Word in Psalm 119:24 "Thy testimonies are my delight and my counselors."