“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm” (Psalm 37:7-8).

It’s difficult to look around at this fallen, broken world and not fret; yet, David tells us twice in these two verses not to worry. Not only does David tell us not to worry, he says that our worrying causes harm. Worrying is a sign of not trusting in the Lord. Worrying occurs when we respond based on what we see instead of what we believe. 

Knowing the character of the Lord and how He operates can help combat the worry and anxiety that can so easily creep into our lives. Today David hits on three truths:

1) The wicked always try to destroy the righteous but their plans will not ultimately prevail –

• “The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming” (Psalm 37:12-13).
• “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged” (Psalm 37:32-33).

We saw the wicked attacking the righteous displayed in the beginning of the Story when wicked Cain killed his righteous brother Abel. The pattern continues throughout the entire Story, all the way to the arrival of Jesus and will continue until Jesus’ final return. David is fully aware of how the wicked love to see a righteous man fall; however, David is also fully aware that his help is in the Lord.

2) The Lord fights our battles –

• “Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation’” (Psalm 35:1-3).
• “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:39-40).

Later in the Story, Paul will say, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against…the spiritual forces of evil…(Ephesians 6:10-18). Paul goes on to explain how to put on the armor of God which is truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, Word of God, and prayer. Paul understands that there is a real enemy at work against us in the spiritual realm and that we need the strength of the Lord to stand against the enemy. Since the warfare is a spiritual one, prayer is our strong weapon. David was obviously a man of prayer. Over and over again David cried out to the Lord to deliver him. And over and over again the Lord acted on his behalf. 

3) One day the Lord will cut off wickedness for good and the righteous will have eternal peace – 

• “Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:34-38).

The pain, suffering, and injustice that we experience on this side of heaven is temporary for those who put their trust in the Lord. The Lord never promised us a pain free life but He does promise to give us a peace beyond understanding – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The day will come when we all will stand before the Lord; and for the Christian, there will be no more pain and no more suffering – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). But for the wicked, those who turn their back on the Lord and His ways, they “shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

One day the Lord will put an end to all wickedness but while there is still time, may our lives be spent sharing the Good News of Christ with this lost and dying world:

• “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
• “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

Keep reading. 

(Psalm 35-38)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

In the beginning of this Story, during the Creation Era, the Lord spoke everything into existence from nothing (Genesis 1:1-2:3). God’s Word is powerful and David knows the power behind the voice of the Lord as he writes in Psalm 29:

• “The voice of the Lord is over the waters”
• “The voice of the Lord is powerful”
• “The voice of the Lord is full of majesty”
• “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars”
• “The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire” 
• “The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness”
• “The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth”
• “The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

David’s life wasn’t easy. He knew rejection, betrayal, humiliation, and loss. As a boy David wasn’t even considered in the line up for king by his own father. His older brother dismisses him right before he takes down Goliath. Saul, out of jealousy, chases David for years trying to kill him. His best friend, Jonathan, dies in battle. He loses his infant child with Bathsheba as a result of his own sin. His grown children have severe brokenness; Amnon raped Tamar and Absalom killed Amnon. He was betrayed by his own men, including his own son, Absalom, who slept with his concubines in public, tried to take the kingdom from David, and was murdered by David’s men. He was constantly at war against his enemies; so much so that the Lord would not allow him to build His house, as David’s heart desired, due to the amount of blood on David’s hands. Yet…in spite of all that…David had joy! How is that possible?! 

David knows the strength of the Lord. Therefore, David can rejoice and rest in the Lord knowing that He is sovereign over all. So even through David’s own personal failures or through attacks against him which were outside of his control, David always found comfort in the Lord knowing that the pain on this side of heaven is fleeting but the goodness of the Lord last forever:

• “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
• “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14)
• “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)
• “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4-5)
• “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19)

David’s life was far from perfect but his response in times of distress is what set David apart. Like David, let’s keep our eyes on the Lord, His goodness, and His promises….and keep reading because the Lord’s best promise, Jesus Christ, is on the way! 

(Psalm 27-32)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

In Psalm 22, David goes from despair, to remembering what the Lord has done in the past, to praising God:

Despair – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?” (Psalm 22:1-2). Have you ever felt like that? At times it can feel as though the Lord is not working on our behalf; but what helps David in times of despair is remembering what the Lord has done in the past.

Remember – “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed” (Psalm 22:3-5). David remembers the Lord’s faithfulness in the past and he trusts that if God was faithful then, He will be faithful today and always. See, David is a man who knows the Lord and His Story; therefore, David knows the character of God. The knowledge of the character of God leads David to praise and worship.

Praise – “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard” (Psalm 22:22-24).

Our feelings can lead us to a place of loneliness, hopelessness, and despair. But when we take our eyes off of our circumstances and place them on the Lord, we can have HOPE. David finds hope when he remembers what the Lord has done in the past. Later in the Story, Paul is going to say, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). 

Since David’s hope is found in the Lord, David puts his life in the hands of God and trusts that He is using his life to accomplish His purposes…and He is! David says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2-3). 

The Lord is working His plan of salvation through David and his descendants. God is sending Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to sacrifice Himself for us so that we may be deemed righteous. We see a prophecy of what is to come when Jesus arrives on the scene in one of David’s psalms that we read today – “They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16-18).

The Lord is sending Jesus as the final atoning sacrifice to shed His blood for the sins of the world. And when Jesus comes, they will strip Him before piercing His hands and His feet and the soldiers will cast lots to divide His garments (Matthew 27:35). And while Jesus is hanging on the cross, He too will cry out as David did to the Lord – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus will experience temporary suffering on the cross when He takes on our sins and He will willingly do it knowing that the ultimate outcome is victory. Because three days after His death and burial, Jesus will rise from the grave defeating death (1 Corinthians 15:4). And after forty days here on Earth, Jesus will be taken up into heaven where He will sit at the right hand of His Father (Mark 16:19).

The prophet Isaish will later say regarding the sacrifice of Jesus, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him” (Isaiah 53:10). Why did it please the Lord to slaughter His Son? So that we may have an abundant life, full of joy, here on Earth and for eternity…that is how much the Lord loves us! “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

Rest assured that the Lord is never inactive. He is always working to accomplish His plans and His purposes, working ALL things for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). So we can have HOPE as we wait on Him to act on our behalf –  “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). Keep reading.

(Psalms 22-26)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

In today’s psalms we see David elevate the Word of God:

• “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times, You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6-8). 
• “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9).

Many say the number seven in the Bible represents completion and divine perfection. We first see the number seven in the beginning of the Story, during the Creation Era, when the Lord created for six days and then rested on day seven. The seven day period of creation, including the day of rest, laid the foundation for our week. According to my research, the number seven appears over seven hundred times in the Bible and over eight hundred times if you factor in 7th and seven-fold. When the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ, arrives on the scene, He is going to declare Himself to be the seven-fold “I Am”: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “I am the door” (John 10:9), “I am the true vine” (John 15:1), “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). 

So when David says that the Lord’s words are pure and have been purified seven times, David is saying that the Word of God is perfect, without error. Later in the Story, Paul will tell us why it is so important for us to know the Word of God – “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). 

So how do we know the Bible is true? Well, lots of reasons but I’m going to list three:

1) The Bible is the only book that predicts future events that actually happen. Plus, it is made up of 66 books written by over 40 authors over a 1,500 year period in 3 different languages and it all goes together to tell One Story! 🤯

2) There are numerous outside manuscripts and archeological findings that support events recorded in the Bible.

3) Many have been killed over the years trying to pass this Story along. Once we get to Jesus’s resurrection, we will read about men who go from being scared and hiding to boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Most of these men will eventually be brutally murdered for their faith but the Story of Jesus will continue to spread. In 1536, William Tyndale, an English scholar, was strangled and burnt at the stake for translating the Bible into English for us to read today. And there are many, many more stories of people laying down their lives to spread this Story. Why would they do that? Because they encountered the living God and it forever changed their lives. Would all these people, over all these years, do that for a Story that wasn’t true?!

As King David says today, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God” (Psalm 14:1-2).

The Lord is always assessing His creation as we saw during the Creation Era when God looked down and saw nothing but evil and wickedness in the hearts and minds of the people; so the Lord sent a flood to destroy the earth. However, there was salvation for the ones who believed in the Lord and believed that His Word was true. Noah and his seven family members were saved by grace through faith and that same salvation is available today for anyone who puts their trust in Jesus Christ. 

So let’s continue together in the pursuit of knowing the Lord as He has revealed Himself through His Word. Keep reading!

(Psalms 12-17, Psalms 19-21)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

In David’s final words to his son Solomon, David charges Solomon to stay in the Word of God and keep His commandments – “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…”

Then David instructs Solomon to execute justice on behalf of three men:

1. Solomon is to judge Joab for murdering Aber, a commander of the army under Saul’s reign, and Amasa, the man David made his military commander over Joab. “Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.”
2. Solomon is to show kindness to Barzillai’s sons because of Barzillai’s loyalty to David when he was on the run from Absalom.
3. Solomon is to judge Shimei for taunting David while he was on the run from Absalom. “Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.” 

After the death of King David, who reigned a total of forty years, we begin reading the psalms written by David and his lead song writers. In Psalm 9, David says –  “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”

The nations, who do not know the Lord or have forgotten Him and do not walk in the ways of the Lord, turn to evil and wickedness. However, David knows that the Lord will use what He hates to bring judgement upon the people and to accomplish His good purposes. David is calling upon the Lord to judge the wicked nations so that the people may know the true living God and put their hope and trust in Him.

David also knows that the needy shall not always be forgotten and the poor shall not perish forever. For those who trust in the Lord, although they may suffer for a while, their suffering has an expiration date. And the Lord uses affliction in the life of Christians to draw us nearer to Him and to mold us more into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. 

• “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
• “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9). 

Christians can still rejoice even through trials here on Earth because our hope is in Christ; and our salvation is secure now and for eternity.

We have thirteen days of nothing but psalms ahead of us…so keep reading!

(1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, Psalms 4-6, Psalms 8-9, 11)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

Today King David is still addressing the assembly of Israel – “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God.” Then David goes on to say that he has prepared for the house of God with all of his might. “Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver…” 

David sets an example before the people as being a humble, giving servant of the Lord before he asks the people, “Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” So the leaders of the tribes of Israel step forward to willingly give. And David praises the Lord and says, “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.” 

Although the Lord told King David that Solomon would be the next king, David’s oldest living son, Adonijah, makes a move to take the throne believing that he should be the rightful heir – “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king’; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, ‘Why have you done so?’ 😏 He was also very good-looking. 😍 His mother had borne him after Absalom.) Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah.”

Once again we see a good looking son of David exalt himself in an attempt to take the kingdom; and once again we see David do nothing to rebuke his son. Also, once again, we see David betrayed by some of his own men. So Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and Nathan, David’s loyal servant, come to David in his last days and plead for him to take action. David says to Bathsheba, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.” 

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint Solomon as king before the people of Israel. Then Solomon takes his seat on the throne and David says, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ” When Adonijah hears that Solomon is now on the throne, he fears for his life and takes refuge at the altar of the Lord. Then Solomon says, “‘If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.’ So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, ‘Go to your house.’”

Although Adonijah attempted to exalt himself as king, his attempt had no lasting impact. The Lord is the One who exalts and He has already chosen Solomon as the next king of Israel. 

• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). 
• “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).

Will Adonijah learn to humble himself and prove to be a worthy man? Keep reading to find out. 

(1 Chronicles 29:1-22, 1 Kings 1:1-53)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

One thing King David knows is that you have to have order, good leadership, and clear roles and responsibilities to effectively manage anything. King David is managing an entire kingdom and he is laying out plans for the management of the temple. David organizes the gatekeepers the same way he organized the priests and musicians because all rolls are important in serving the Lord – “And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.” Once again, we see David trusting the Lord with organizing His people. 

Then David establishes a financial team to oversee the treasuries of the house of the Lord and he organizes the army. David divides the army into twelve units. “These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty-four thousand.” 

When David finishes organizing the kingdom and temple work, he gathers the assembly of Israel to pass his leadership over to his son Solomon. In his speech, David tells the people: 

1) David desired to build a house for the Lord, but God said He was going to build David’s house instead by choosing David to be king over Israel forever through a lasting royal dynasty (2 Samuel 7).

2) God chose Judah, the tribe of King David, to rule as prophesied by Jacob on his deathbed (Genesis 49:10).

3) The Lord chose Solomon, David’s son, to be the next king. 

4) The Lord chose Solomon to build His house. 

5) God will establish Solomon’s kingdom forever if he obeys the Lord. 

After addressing the assembly, David turns his attention to his son – “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

The reading ends today with David handing over the temple plans, supplies, gold and silver, and the furnishings to Solomon for the building of the temple. Then David tells Solomon, “the Lord made me understand the writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans”; down to even the temple furnishings. 

Well, tomorrow Adonijah, David’s oldest living son at this time, assumes he should be the next king. Keep reading to see more of David’s family drama unfold. 

(1 Chronicles 26:1-28:21)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

“So when David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.” David is gathering the leaders to help Solomon build the temple for the Lord and administer to the Kingdom of Israel.

Then David numbers the Levites for their service to the Lord. The Levites are to look after the work of the house of the Lord, serve as officers and judges rendering justice per the Book of the Law, guard the gate of the temple, and play musical instruments “‘which I made,’ said David, ‘for giving praise.’” Did you notice the inconsistency in the age eligible for the work of the Levites? During the Exodus Era, in Numbers 4, the age assigned to the Levites eligible for work was thirty to fifty years old but this was specifically for the Kohath clan who had the stressful job of carrying the items within the tabernacle. This job required mature strong men because if you even touched the holy items you would die. In Numbers 8:24-26, the age was twenty-five to fifty years old for all Levites to do the work within the tabernacle. Today when David numbers the Levites, he originally counts the men thirty and above but then he lowers the age to twenty. David says, “They shall no longer carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.” So the new age is lower because they no longer have to transport the tabernacle and this will also add more hands for the huge job of caring for the temple. 

David goes on to divide the Levites into the same three clans that the Lord divided them in the Exodus Era: the Gershonites who cared for the tabernacle coverings, the Kohathites who cared for the holiest of holy items in the tabernacle, and the Merarites who cared for the structural support of the tabernacle (Numbers 3 and 4). ..“and Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him, and to give the blessing in His name forever.”

David further divides the descendants of Aaron, the priests, into twenty four divisions to serve according to a schedule of their service – “This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.” Mentioned in Aaron’s genealogy are his sons Nadab and Abihu who died in the wilderness when they offered profane fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10).

We end the reading with David assigning duties for the musicians. Before now the only organized music for the tabernacle was the blowing of the trumpets described in Numbers 10 but David loves music! He plays the harp and writes songs. So David takes fellow song writers, Asaph, Jeduthun, and Herman and their sons, and arranges them in twenty four divisions, same as the priests, for handling the music for the temple. Did you notice how David arranged the worship team for their service? “And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the student.” David trusts the Lord to arrange those to serve giving all an opportunity from the smallest to the greatest. We will later read how the Lord guided David in organizing the Levites when future king of Judah, Hezekiah, restores the worship of the Lord – “And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets” (2 Chronicles 29:25).

Soon we will read psalms written by David’s lead song writers as well as more psalms of David. But tomorrow, David continues the temple prep work so keep reading. 

(1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

Today David takes a census of the people of Israel. In 2 Samuel 24 it says that the Lord moved David to take the census but in 1 Chronicles 21 it says that Satan moved David to take the census:

• “Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah’” (2 Samuel 24:1).
• “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel” (2 Chronicles 21:1).  

Taking a census is not wrong depending on the motive behind numbering the people. If you are taking a census at the direction of the Lord, then it is not a sin. God gave the Israelites instructions regarding census during the Exodus Era when the Israelites were in the wilderness – “When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them” (Exodus 30:12). But if you take a census out of pride and for your own personal glory and not the glory of the Lord, then it is a sin because the people belong to the Lord.

As G. Campbell Morgan said, “When we are moved to number the people, we may rest assured that the impulse is Divine or Satanic, and we may determine which by the motive. If the motive is service, it is God. If the motive is pride, it is Satanic.” Satan uses our own pride and selfish motives to draw us into sin. Later in the Story, Jesus’s brother will explain how Satan is the one who tempts us, not the Lord – “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:13-15).

The Bible does not say exactly why the Lord is angry at Israel at this time; but the Lord uses this census to bring judgement upon the rebellious Israelites. In the past we have seen the Lord use evil to accomplish His good purposes…remember the Book of Job? So the Lord allows David to be tempted by Satan and David caves into the temptation. When David orders his men to take the census, Joab and the captains of the army try to stop him but David ignores their warnings. However, after the census, David is convicted of his sin – “And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’”

The Lord sends the prophet Gad to David to give him three punishments to choose from: 1) seven years of famine, 2) three months of enemy attack, or 3) three days of plague. David responds, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” 

Therefore the Lord sends a plague that kills seventy thousand people. And when the angel of the Lord stretches out His hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord says “It is enough; now retrain your hand.” The Lord is merciful and He is the One who will say ENOUGH of the plague. David knows of God’s great mercy and that is why David chose to be left in the hands of the Lord instead of the hands of man. 

David repents and asks the Lord to spare the people – “Surely I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house.” David isn’t perfect but he does have a heart after the Lord. His heart reflects the heart of the perfect Man to come later in the Story…Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10). 

So the plague stops at the threshing floor of Araunah and Gad tells David to go there and build an altar to the Lord. When Araunah offers his threshing floor and oxen to David for free, David responds, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” David knows that truly following the Lord always costs us something. Jesus will later say that in order to follow Him, you must deny yourself and pick up His cross (Matthew 16:24). And John is going to say that Jesus’ life should be an example to us – “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). 

David will spend the remainder of his life gathering supplies for the house of the Lord which his son, Solomon, will build. We end the reading with David talking to young Solomon – “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Soon in the Story the Lord will give Solomon the wisdom his dad is desiring for him. So keep reading to see how Solomon stewards the gifts he receives from the Lord.

(2 Samuel 24:1-9, 1 Chronicles 21:1-6, 2 Samuel 24:10-17, 1 Chronicles 21:7-17, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19)

#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching

David sings a song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from all of his enemies – “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” 

But then David goes on to say – “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me; and as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity. Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His eyes.” 🤔

How can David claim to be righteous when we know that he was not a perfect, sinless man? It’s because David knows that his righteousness comes from the Lord. David is fully aware that he is a sinner as he said in Psalm 51 – “Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me…Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

We are all born broken sinners and the Lord doesn’t take our sins lightly. Actually, our sins are very costly and God is making a way to cleanse us from our sins; but it is going to cost Him the life of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Later in the Story, Paul will explain how our righteousness is not earned by our acts but rather through faith in Jesus Christ – ”Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:20-26).

There is and will only be one man to ever live who is perfect and sinless and that man is Jesus Christ. David can declare himself clean and righteous because of his faith in the Lord and his trust in the Lord’s promise to redeem us through the coming Savior. David struggles with sin throughout his life the same as we do. But because David loves the Lord, he hates his sin and repents of it. And David doesn’t put his hope in himself. David’s hope is in the Lord – “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect… You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”

God has David by His mighty right hand and He is gently guiding him through his life journey which is good news because David stumbles again tomorrow. Keep reading to see how once again, even through David’s failures, he still trusts the Lord and yearns for closeness to Him beyond anything else this world has to offer.

(2 Samuel 22:1-51, Psalm 18)

#bibleliteracymovement#chronologicalbibleteaching