David's Celebration

David is mentioned more times in the Old Testament than any other person. More than 1,100 times. Much more than Moses, than Elijah, than Saul - than any other human. Why is that? David was far from perfect. He sinned against God and man when he had Bathsheba's husband killed so he could claim her for himself. And that's just one example.

He was a fallen, sinful person, guilty of murder, treachery, and corruption. But - and this is a big but - he was a man after God's own heart. (See both 1 Samuel 17 and Acts 13). In today's passages, we see that David returns the Ark of God to a central place in the life of Israel, and he and his followers - 30,000 of Israel's finest young men - have a parade of thanks, of joyfulness, and celebration to honor the ark. David's joy is boundless: "They were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymblals" (2 Samuel 6:5; see also Psalm 150).

And what is in the ark? Is there a graven image of God? Are there priceless relics? No. The Word of God is in the ark. God's word MUST be central to our faith. God speaks truth to us through his word. He guides us, protects us, convicts us, comforts us, through his Word. Have you celebrated God's word lately? Would your celebration look like David's and his men? Or would it be more circumspect?

I confess that a celebration like the one described in 2 Samuel 6 and in Psalm 150 seems more like how we celebrate when the Buckeyes win the National Championship. Oh, Lord, that I would celebrate your word and your power with such joy and abandon! Help us, Lord, to see the centrality of your Word in our lives, and to act with joy and gladness and thanks for your many blessings. Amen.

Eyes on the Prize

We live in a busy, crowded society.

 

Our jobs, for those that have one, may require more than 40 hours a week. Those with jobs requiring less than this may have two jobs simply to make ends meet.

 

Raising kids takes a lot of time, and not just one-on-one time. We spend a lot of time driving to soccer games, piano lessons, ballet practices and swim meets. 

 

In all the bustle, we try to treat our fellow man decently and attempt to make it to church frequently. We may even attend a few church meetings and activities.

 

Uggghh! It would be easier if we did not spend so much time in church activities.

 

Today’s reading is Romans 8:18-30. Paul explains the primary benefit derived from our faith. It is beneficial to occasionally review the hope we have.

 

Paul writes

“… but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved … For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

 

 

We have First fruits of the Spirit. Other passages (Ephesians 1:14, e.g.) tell us that we currently have but a portion of the Spirit and that the remainder will be given to us in Heaven.  There is more, much more, to come.

 

We will be adopted sons (and daughters!). Jesus is God’s natural son, and we will be adopted by God. As adopted children, we will have the same rights that Jesus has.

 

We will be conformed to the likeness of God’s natural son. We will be siblings of Jesus.

 

Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. We can expect the same. Jesus had a new body after death, and so will we.  Jesus was glorified, and so will we. Jesus lives with God, and so will we!

 

This is great Joy!

 

In all the hustle and bustle of life, it can be helpful to take time out and keep our eyes on the prize!