Bible Pathways 5/16/2001

May 16

Read I Chronicles 14 -- 16

Foremost among the prominent virtues to be seen in David's life was his great love for the Word of God, which he expressed, saying: O how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day (Psalms 119:97). This attitude resulted in David's deep spiritual insight into the priceless importance of God's Word in every area of his life. In Psalm 119, he ascribes more than 150 attributes to the Word of God. David proclaimed to the world: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him . . . talk of all His wondrous works (I Chronicles 16:8-9). David also stands out as a man of prayer; thus, we see the often-repeated phrase: David inquired of God . . . shall I (14:10,14; note: I Samuel 23:2,4; 30:8; II Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23; 21:1). As a result of these basic, God-honoring characteristics, the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations (I Chronicles 14:17).

Soon after establishing his capital in Jerusalem, David united the nation for a glorious time of praising the Lord while bringing the Ark of God from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem. To demonstrate his reverence for God, and in recognition that God was the Supreme Ruler, David laid aside his kingly garments and dressed in a plain linen ephod, a garment the priests wore when ministering before the Lord. In doing this, David was publicly acknowledging his submission to the authority of the Supreme King and expressing adoration and praise to his Lord as Almighty God and the true King of Israel.

On that day, David provided an inspiring psalm for his choir to sing, which lifts our spirits as we worship our wonderful Lord: Sing to Him . . . talk of all His wondrous works. . . . Rejoice. . . . Be mindful always of His covenant; the Word which He commanded. . . . Declare His glory among the . . . nations. . . . For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. . . . Bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. . . . The Lord reigns (16:9-31). Yes, the Lord reigns, and the world needs to hear us praise the Lord and to talk of all His wondrous works (16:9). Is it any surprise that David was a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)?

Consider Paul and Silas, who had suffered cruel scourging by the Roman magistrates. With their bodies bleeding, they were placed in stocks in the inner prison in darkness, on a cold, dirt floor (16:24). Wouldn't we expect them to find fault and ask: "Why me, Lord?" They surely must have been in great pain, with no food, no comfort, and no thanks from the very crowd they were seeking to save from hell. But, at midnight, Paul and Silas began singing and praising the Lord (16:25) because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name (5:41). When we complain, it is truly a victory for Satan and an insult to God.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night (Psalms 92:1-2).

Christ Revealed: Through David's fame and exaltation (I Chronicles 14:17). God highly exalted Christ, our Redeemer, and gave Him a Name above every name (Phil. 2:9-11).

Word Study: 14:13 spread themselves abroad means made a hostile invasion.

Prayer:

Government Officials: Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI) and Rep. James Moran (VA) · Pray for Barbara Waddell, Chair Emeritus, Ohio National Day of Prayer · Country: Hong Kong (7 million) in eastern Asia · Major languages: Chinese and English · Limited religious freedom · 90% Chinese religions; 10% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: When you pray, be brief and pray from your heart (Ecclesiastes 5:2).