PURPOSE

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 16

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

The most recent excavations in David’s City are just to the south of the Temple Mount. If only these stones would sound an echo from David’s time, we would have a tune as well as the words of David’s songs, which we have in today’s reading.

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

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:29

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

King David blesses the people in the Name of the Lord! (verse 2). He declares, “‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…’ and all the people said, ‘Amen!'” (verse 36). “David returned to bless his house” (verse 43). Webster’s dictionary says that bless means, “invoke divine favour; approve; make happy; praise.” Let’s take our pick of those meanings and “bless” people, our house, and God! David’s words and music accomplished this. He was good at it! Everyone is good at something. Let us bless others with our abilities whatever they are. We can all bless God (receive His approval and make Him happy) as our key verse says, by giving Him glory, by bringing an offering, coming before Him, and worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness. Being holy is to consecrate oneself to God for His purposes. This is true beauty!

We see the purposes of God in verses 23 & 24…First, “Sing to the Lord.” Second, “Proclaim the Good News of His salvation from day to day.” Third, in verse 29… “Give the Lord the glory due to His Name.” Fourth, “Bring an offering.” Fifth, “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Sixth, in verse 31b… “Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.'” Seventh, in verse 34… “Give thanks to the Lord.” We bless God by fulfilling His purposes! “And all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord” (verse 36 b).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God I praise You! Hallelujah! Amen! Please grant me the grace to consistently fulfill Your purposes for my life. I pray these mercies in and through the One who fulfilled all Your purposes, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and AMEN!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve often made up songs for the Lord’s ears only. I would sing them when I was all alone with the Lord. I felt that He appreciated my effort. Once only did I venture to sing one of my songs in front of my college buddies, and it did not go over too well. I gave up on the idea of ever being a songwriter for other people. However, it was not so with my wife, Norma-Jean. She has had many songs published, which have been sung by her and others. I’ll never forget when, about a year after we were married, she went to the piano in our little church building in Brighton, Ontario, and here are the words I heard her sing:

Verse 1: “Oh Saviour hear my prayer– and make me more like Thee– to walk this narrow way– to higher heights in Thee, Oh Lord I want to shine– forth with thy love sublime–Oh make me more like Thee…That those who are blind might see.

Chorus: Christ in me–and Christ in you—we will a witness be–as He shines through–Let self not darken –His radiant face—Let Christ shine through–in every place.

Verse 2. Oh Saviour hear my cry–and help me e’re I die–to walk with Thee each day–and never stray away. Oh Lord I want to speak–though in my flesh I’m weak–cast out each doubt and fear–That those who are deaf might hear.

Chorus: Christ in me–and Christ in you–We will a witness be–as He shines through–Let self not darken–His radiant face.–Let Christ shine through–In every place.

The theme of this Gospel song is Jesus Christ. The first verse is a prayer that He may be seen in our lives. The second verse, that He may be heard in us. The chorus calls upon us to yield, allowing Christ to shine through. Norma-Jean said, “Inspiration for this song came from a life which exemplified this experience. Therefore, I dedicated this song to the memory of my mother, Lillian Rutledge.” This was one of Norm-Jean’s songs published in sheet music by “The Gospel Publishing House” of Springfield, Missouri. Two years later, I heard the choir from the Bible College in Peterborough, Ontario, sing her song. I was so very blessed.

Yours for striving to live a life where Christ shines through,

David

P.S. Below is the published sheet music of Norma-Jean’s song that I referred to above (You can click on them to enlarge and print, if you wish).