Bible Pathways Daily Bible Reading Devotional

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Bible Pathways 05/18/2003


May 18

Read I Chronicles 21 -- 23

In Today's Reading:

David's sin in taking a military census; his preparation for building the Temple and instructions to Solomon; duties of the Levites

Solomon was about 20 years of age when he was anointed king. Since young people do not have the years of experience that their elders do, they often underestimate the things that are of greatest importance. Consequently, David was not satisfied with just providing Solomon with the materials needed to build the Temple. Above all else, David wanted Solomon to receive spiritual insight and understanding that could only be obtained as he kept the Law of the Lord. So he urged Solomon to set his heart and soul on seeking to please the Lord. In addition to gaining spiritual insight, David believed that Solomon would let the building of the Lord's Temple and bringing of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God to the Temple be the priority in his life.

Solomon ignored the spiritual advice of his father David to set his heart on seeking the Lord. But Solomon put personal interests first and did not begin building the Temple until the fourth year of his reign. Instead, he began to amass chariots and horses as well as wives. This was in violation of the Law for the kings of Israel.

David's appeal to Solomon is still the need of every Christian. True faith is demonstrated by our commitment and obedience to the Word of God and our dependency upon Him to answer prayer while we do all we can to bring it to pass. We should not assume that we can just "leave it up to the Lord and do nothing." The Lord expects our participation in all that we can do. Christ calls every believer to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Devotional commentary also refers to: I Chronicles 3:1-2; II Chronicles 1:14; I Kings 10:26; 11:4; Deuteronomy 17:16-18; Matthew 6:33; James 2:21-22.

Christ Revealed:

Through the altar David built to sacrifice unto the Lord that Israel might be restored to a right relationship with God (see I Chronicles 21:18,26). Only through Christ can we be restored to a right relationship with God.

Word Studies:

21:13 a great strait = deep distress; 21:15 repented Him of evil = had compassion due to man's repentance and intercession; 22:3 without weight = beyond calculation; 23:1 old and full of days = reached old age; 23:6 courses = divisions or groups; 23:11 reckoning = counted together; 23:24 by their polls = individually.

Prayer Needs:

All Bible Reading Marathon Coordinators · Government Official: Rep. Denise Majette (GA) · Country: Cape Verde (405,000) 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles off the coast of Africa · Major languages: Portuguese and Crioulo · Religious freedom · 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord and wait upon Him in your prayers, for He will hear you (see Micah 7:7).

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 5

Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 6:17


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