Friday, June 11, 2021

CELEBRATE

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 14-15

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Across the Kidron Valley and Facing the Mount of Olives on the eastern side of the Old City of Jerusalem is the Golden, or Eastern Gate. Jesus celebrated with the people as He entered through the Golden Gate on Palm Sunday. Jewish religious tradition teaches that the coming Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate. To prevent this, the Muslims sealed the gate during the rule of Suleiman.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 14:15; 15:16

And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines…Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.

 

Scripture records more commendations for David than for any other king. Today’s reading may indicate the reason for that. Most of the time he kept in touch with God, listened and obeyed. In this story, David is under attack from the Philistines. Most military strategists would first enter a planning session, but not David. First, he began to pray! Before he did anything to defend his people, he inquired of the Lord. God gave him the battle plan, which resulted in victory. David honoured God, then God honoured him. Back in 1 Samuel 2:30b God says, “Those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Is it any wonder that David and the people also knew how to celebrate, as we read in chapter 15? One who did not celebrate was David’s first wife, Michal, the daughter of King Saul. No doubt, in human terms, she had reason to be bitter. She started her marriage to David with great hope, then was given to another man by Saul. She was forced back to her first husband, David, when he took power. In the meantime, David had married another wife. Now David had more wives. It’s sad for Michal. Our attitude and our confidence in God can turn the most difficult circumstances around for good, and we can rejoice if we choose to.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, help me to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). I pray that I will pray, listen and obey. Grant that my attitude will be one of celebrating other people’s joy, and that I will celebrate Your work in me also. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Back in the early 1990’s, I was not celebrating as I should. The lease on our downtown Toronto television studio building was not being renewed and we were forced to move elsewhere for the continued operation of Crossroads. God had clearly indicated to me, and all the others in leadership, that the right move was to buy land in Burlington and build, according to the vision God had given us for the future. The new Crossroads Centre was opened in May of 1992, the same year we built and financed an amazingly successful soul-winning outreach at the World Exposition in Spain. However, we were not having success in controlling the costs, and we ended up in humanly-impossible debt. Nevertheless, God had a plan.

First, he sent Norma-Jean and me to Argentina, with all costs paid for by a great Argentinian congregation. That church was experiencing a mighty Holy Spirit revival with thousands coming to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. I expected to be in Church 24/7, but that was not to be. The Pastor’s daughter was having her “coming out party” at a local hotel the first night there, and we were invited. During one of the games, Norma-Jean was asked to get up and imitate an animal, and the guests were to guess the animal. She was moving like and elephant and they guessed right! Everyone was having lots of fun, except me. I thought, “This is foolish. We came down here to experience a spiritual revival, and now this?” Perhaps my attitude was like that of Michal. Then the master of ceremonies called me up and quietly asked that I, along with my table (they had separated Norma-Jean and me), should mimic a creature. The table decided on a crab. There I was moving sideways in a most awkward way. Initially, I was not happy. I thought, “Life is too serious for this.” Then God spoke to my inner being, and this is what I heard: “David, you don’t have fun any more. You’re too serious. I want you to be much more childlike and enjoy life. This is why I arranged for you to come to Argentina.” My attitude changed then and there, and I really got into the crab mimic routine (without being ‘crabby’!). We all laughed heartily and the celebration continued. That trip changed me forever. I came home rejoicing.

Yours for celebrating God’s plans and provisions,

David

11 thoughts on “Friday, June 11, 2021

  1. This morning’s scripture took me to commentary. Can you imagine how Michal must have felt? I have attached the link; the right side of the commentary was meaningful to read. Perhaps we are far too serious in life. I know I certainly am. But I somehow think, how can we not be? Yet, we rejoice because of our Saviour’s love for us. We thank You Lord, for watching over and providing for us. We love You with all our hearts. His peace and joy be upon you fellow saints in the Lord. Amen. ❤️ 🥁

    Commentary 1 Chronicles 15:27
    https://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_chronicles/15-27.htm

  2. Today’s reading clarifies my concern & understanding of the striking down of Uzza when he tied to prevent the toppling of the Ark. I could see myself automatically doing that. I surprise myself at some times, like yesterday when I saw a terrible accident about to take place. I reacted 3 times with LOUD shouts which prevented a little child from being hurt. It was automatic and I believe others would have done the same (especially mothers) but there was no time to think! Now I can put this “questioning” away with the added comments of bloggers and today’s scripture. Thank You Lord .

  3. Some speculate that David was nearly naked but this translations clears that assumption up: ” 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen , as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.” Some scripture mentions only the ephod.
    Michal was probably angry because he lowered himself by celebrating and honouring God with and among the people…that’s humility,a strong and noble characteristic. May God bless

    ” Who was so lowly yet most high ”
    Am I worthy

    Am I worthy to touch His feet,
    Can I ever stand up to greet
    He who died upon the cross
    Knowing my sins would be His loss.

    When I look at the cross I see,
    His wounded face looking at me,
    But through the pain He grins
    With a love that pardons sins.

    His crown of thorns I wish to bear
    To prove to Him the love I share,
    For the love it took to die for us
    Is still in need of complete redress.

    So when we think we are kings
    Remember He of holy things,
    Who was so lowly yet most high,
    And soon is coming in the sky.
    GW(Bill) Marshall/(2011~2012)

  4. “Prayer Map of Canada” for the 11th day:

    1. Pray for God’s name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood, city or community, and in Canada. (Psalm 86:12, John 12:28)
    2. Pray for New Brunswick.
    -Pray for the leaders of the province, (Premier: Blaine Higgs and wife Maria)
    that God’s spirit would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity and
    honour and high moral standards (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
    -Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
    beaming forth the illuminating truth of God’s Word.

  5. Amen to the prayers and thanks for the links
    Let’s not get hung up on dancing/prancing.
    Michael had a few reasons to be hurt by the actions of David and others but dwelling in self pity/jealousy isn’t the answer. She and her relationship with God appears to be in need of prayer
    To me the scripture doesn’t suggest that it was David’s dress was the problem but his celebrating with others and ignoring his wife

    May God bless all those that comment it does appear that we all care deeply

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