Bible Pathways - May 20, 2005

May 20

 

Read I Chronicles 27 -- 29

 

In Today's Reading:

 

Solomon encouraged to build the Temple; David's gifts for the Temple; his thanks and prayer; Solomon made king; David's death

 

David had reigned over Israel forty years; seven years . . . in Hebron, and thirty and three years . . . in Jerusalem (I Chronicles 29:27). In his last year, David assembled all the tribal princes and military captains He told them how God had chosen Solomon to build His Temple and that their greatest concern should be to be obedient to all the Commandments of the LORD your God (28:8). Then David charged Solomon: Know . . . the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off for ever (28:9).

 

David then offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in the Scriptures. David prayed: Blessed be You, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD , and You are exalted as Head above all. . . . and in Your hand is power and might . . . to make great, and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious Name (29:10-13).

 

David's heartfelt prayer is a reminder to all of us that prayer should be a time of worshiping God with praise for who He is, as well as thanksgiving for what He has provided. As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will thank Him for His provision.When we neglect to praise the Lord daily, our worship can become a mere ritual. Every day, in every circumstance, in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18). To grumble about our circumstances is to express dissatisfaction with God and to question His wisdom and His love for us.

 

Kneeling, bowing the head, and stretching forth hands are all expressions of submission and worship. The psalmist was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless (as an act of adoration) the LORD (Psalm 134:2). I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (I Timothy 2:8).

 

Christ Revealed:

 

Through the gold offered by David from his personal wealth for the Temple (I Chronicles 29:3-5). Gold represents the preciousness and great worth of Christ. He is pure (from all defilement) (I John 3:2-3).

 

Word Studies:

 

27:2 course = division; 28:19 works = details; 29:1 tender = inexperienced; 29:3 proper good = personal treasure; 29:15 none abiding = no expectation; 29:19 palace = Temple.

 

Prayer Needs:

 

Pray for BPM Staff: Pam Pendergrast · Government Officials: Sen. Michael Crapo (ID), Rep. Wally Herger (CA), and Rep. Nick Rahall (WV) · Country: Andorra (66,000) in the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain · Major languages: Catalan and French · Religious freedom · 94% Roman Catholic; .6% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Realize that your life is in God's hands, and ask Him to deliver you from all evil (Luke 11:4).

 

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 7

 

Memory Verse for the Week: II Timothy 3:17