His Whisperings – Page 58 – Inspired by His Word

1 Chronicles 28:1-5 David addresses the people

Posted on March 11, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 11, 2008

1 Chronicles 28:1-5 (Click to view passage)

David is now old, and he has been getting his house in order and is now ready to pass the kingdom on to Solomon, his heir to the throne. In these verses David addresses all of the officials of Israel from the greatest to the least as well as all of the warriors who defend their people. Many years have passed since he first had the desire to build a house for the Lord, a place for the ark of the covenant; but he again tells the people of this desire that was so precious to his heart. He also tells them that God said for him to not build it because he was a warrior who had shed blood. He tells them that God had chosen his family to be king over Israel forever, and that his son Solomon would sit on the throne after him.

In verse 3 the reason is given as to why God would not allow David to build the temple. He had been a warrior who had shed blood. God does not want his people to be known as warriors.

Many pacifists would hold up this verse as evidence that God never approves of war; however, we need to be reminded that God commanded the Israelites to kill off all people when they first entered the Promised Land. God was also leading David through one military victory after another.

But when the Israelites went off to war without first asking God, they lost their battles. There has to be a very serious reason for going to war, something bigger that getting one’s own way.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, for the history of how you led your people, and for the lessons we can learn from them. Give us the desire to read it faithfully, and the openness to hear your voice speak to our hearts, and the willingness to obey your teachings.

Psalm 132:1-12 David’s desire to build a Temple; God’s covenant with David.

Posted on March 10, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 10, 2008

Psalm 132:1-12 (click to view passage)

In this Psalm, King David re-states the oath he had made, the oath that God would not allow him to carry out. The ark of the covenant had been returned to Jerusalem; and David had it in his heart to build a permanent dwelling to house the ark. But to David’s great disappointment, it was not to be.

Yet David continued to praise his God, to “worship at his footstool.” (verse 7)

David continues his Psalm by recounting the oath the LORD swore to David, that he would put one of David’s descendants on the throne; and that if they keep God’s covenant they would reign on the throne forever. (verse 12)

Later scriptures reveal that David’s descendants did not keep the covenant. The Jewish nation suffered division and eventually was conquered and carried off into Babylon. But even though David’s descendants did not remain faithful, God did. Jesus Christ, who was one of David’s descendants, sits not on a human throne, but on the heavenly throne, where he will reign throughout eternity.

Lord God, help us to focus our eyes on you when we face disappointments. May we, like David, continue to put our hope in you as we continue to praise your name.

1 Chronicles 17:23-27 David’s humble prayer

Posted on March 8, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 8, 2008

23 “And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘The LORD Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you. 1 Chronicles 17:23-24 (NIV)

David ends his prayer with his acceptance of God’s blessings. I suppose many would respond to this by saying, “Of course he accepted them! Who wouldn’t?” But if you truly want to understand David’s heart in this, look closely at this passage beginning with the end of verse 23 where David prays “Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘The LORD Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ “ David is not saying “bless me so I will be famous and it will be wonderful for me and my descendants.” In his heart he is still desiring that God’s name would be great and acknowledged by all men.

In 1 Chronicles 25-27 David continues to go over again in his prayer the awesomeness of what God has promised to him. In verse 25 he indicates that he needed to find courage to even pray to God after this great revelation was made to him through the prophet Nathan.

Do we feel David’s sense of awe when we are in the presence of God Almighty? Do we need to find the courage to approach God with our petitions, or do we simply jump in as if we were sending a letter to Santa Claus? If we want a powerful God to answer our prayers, we may need to learn to address him as the awesome God that he is.

Most holy God, we confess that our prayers are often so small and self-centered. Give us a right heart before you. Help us to truly align our wills with yours that we may know how to pray to you and to present our own petitions with reverence and respect.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

1 Chronicles 17:20-22 God’s hand made Israel great

Posted on March 8, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 8, 2008

20 “There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel–the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. 1 Chronicles 17:20-22 (NIV)

After giving God all the honor and praise for taking him from a lowly shepherd to a king, and for the blessings God promised to his descendants in the years to come, David continues to exalt the name of God. He continues his discussion with God with his thoughts concerning the Israelite people. He acknowledges that it was God who redeemed them as his own people, and it was God’s mighty deeds that made them great. It was God who made them his people, and they made him their God.

Here in the United States we have a history that is closely tied in with God. The first successful settlement was by the Pilgrims who left their homes so they could worship God as they pleased. Other Europeans had tried to establish colonies and failed. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights include references to God. The Christian influence in the early development of our country was strong in many areas.

Today a new breed of historians is trying to erase all evidence of God and Christianity from our history books. We also get bombarded daily with biased news on television and in our newspapers and other media. Movies and TV sitcoms systematically make Christians out to be bumbling idiots. I tremble for the day when God may remove his hand of protection from our country. If we could only, like David, openly acknowledge the hand of God in making our nation great, we might find answers to the issues that are tearing away at the foundations of our nation today.

Father God, help us to continually acknowledge your hand at work in everything we do, and to openly give you the praise. We praise you for your hand in making our country great, and beg you to work in mighty ways to restore the honor and dignity to our government that once made it strong. Work in the hearts and minds of our citizens to recognize the candidates that are able to serve our country best because they look to you for guidance.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

1 Chronicles 17:16-19 David feels humbled by God’s great deeds

Posted on March 7, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 7, 2008

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God. 18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.

1 Chronicles 17:16-19 (NIV)

What kind of impact did Nathan’s words (prophesy from God) have on David? Did he exalt himself and rejoice in his good fortune like we might be tempted to do if we were to win some great sweepstakes? These verses make it clear that David’s response was just the opposite. He began his prayer with “Who am I, O LORD God…” He was overwhelmed with his own smallness, and asked God why he was chosen to be so exalted. Nothing in David’s words reflect even a hint of his seeking recognition or power; he can only express words of wonder that God should bless him.

How unlike David I am. I want to serve God, yet I crave seeing his blessings on my work. I enjoy recognition to the point that sometimes it seems to become an idol. But even God described David as a man after God’s heart. It was his ability to humble himself that made it possible for God to use him in such a mighty way.

Lord, help us to see ourselves for who we really are. May we, like David, recognize your hand at work in every good thing we do; and may we be willing to give you all the praise, honor and glory when we are able to accomplish good works in your strength. Be with our leaders and help them to aspire to be like David, seeking to please you and serve those you have placed under their influence.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.