The book of 1 Chronicles comes to a close on a positive and high note of praise and thanksgiving from David and his people. David may not have been able to be the one to construct the temple for God and the Ark to reside, but he did the fundraising for it. Reading the description of the amounts of gold and silver, bronze and iron and wood, collected for the project may cause a jaw to drop.
We might shun such a concept; dwelling in a palace as ornate and stunning as this, but David’s words revealed his heart, “The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.”(1 Chronicles 29:1b) The temple was being built for God, for the Ark of the Covenant to reside, not for an earthly king.
1 Chronicles 29:14-15 (NIV)
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.”
David recognized that all he had came from God, and he imparted this belief to his people. They gave willingly and cheerfully. Oh, to be in a spiritual place that recognizes this truth. To be able to view all our possessions as gifts from God and to give freely and joyfully, is a sign of faith and trust. I have to admit, I am not always filled with the desire to do this. When my out-go is more than my in-come how can I give, how can I tithe? More to the point, how can I do it with a cheerful and willing attitude?
The truth is, I can’t. It is only through the grace of God this practice would be carried out. I have to pray, to beg God to give me a heart like this, one that gives until it feels the impact.
Read 1 Chronicles 29 here
Listen to 1 Chronicles 29 here
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Picking up on the theme from yesterday, this chapter illustrates the richness of restored relationship with God.
This happens late in David’s life, after he has repented and returned to God’s service after his sins with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 & 12), his neglect of his family obligations (2 Samuel 13), and his improper census (1 Chronicles 21). What we see here is the result of true repentance and dogged determination to serve God: great fruitfulness and great joy.
This is not the only time we see this dynamic (great blessing/joy following repentance & sincere striving after God). It is also illustrated in Nehemiah 8, Luke 15:20-25, and John 21:1-14. We also see this in our family life: the richness that follows reconciliation after a disruption in a relationship with a child or spouse.
What this shows (at least to me) is: 1. There is hope after we’ve messed up; and 2. that the admittedly difficult work of acknowledging and repenting of sin is very much worth it.
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