The Ministry Of Giving

1 Chronicles 29:1---Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

David gave, and then he gave some more. The tonnage of precious metals is incredible! And when David asked, "Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" 1 Chronicles 29:5, the leaders also gave in abundance. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. 1 Chronicles 29:9 Everyone seemed to be totally devoted to making the house of the LORD the most amazing and costly structure ever built. This passage is a favorite of those raising funds to build new church buildings. Let us never forget that we are speaking of people, living stones, that make up the temple today. The Temple Solomon built was a wonderful, a God-inspired illustration of what God desires. David referred to it as God's footstool. The prophet said that heaven is God's throne and earth His footstool so what kind of house can you build Him? (Acts 7:48) The task is indeed great. In fact, all this gold and silver and precious stones, all the labor of gifted and anointed men could only erect a shadow of the real temple. The task is great, but now we have the Son of David (Jesus) to do the building. Unlike Solomon, the Son of David is experienced. Will we give of ourselves and our resources to see that the real temple of living stones is built like they gave to see a passing shadow built? How much more should we be willing to give our treasures and talents to the real thing!

God Inspired Thoughts

1 Chronicles 28:12, 19---And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

There is a tendency to think God was more visible and directly involved in Old Testament times in more dramatic ways than in this age. As David was sharing the plans for the Temple with Solomon, he told how he received the inspiration for the plan. He did not have a vision or experience some kind of autonomic writing. He did not have a vivid dream or spirit travel to heaven. The Spirit of God put it in his mind. The hand of the LORD was upon him and gave him an understanding of the details of the plan. The LORD often works with us in the same way. If (and that is a great big "IF") we are seeking Him and His will with all our heart and have been walking with Him for some time to learn discernment, the Spirit inspires our thoughts. As we walk with the hand of the LORD upon us, we will discern Spirit inspired thoughts. Thoughts come from one of three sources: suggestions from the demonic, our own soul, or the Spirit of God. As we mature we learn to discern the difference and become more and more attentive and obedient to the Spirit inspired thoughts and quick to reject the enemy's temptations. When we pray we will notice the thoughts for whom to pray for enter our mind. As we approach daily difficulties, we will notice solutions that we had not thought of. Be careful to give God all the credit and the glory for those. That is what David was doing when he said, "He gave me understanding in all the details of the plan." "I can't take credit for one little detail. God inspired my thoughts." We find the same experience today as we go about working on the temple with living stones.

Seek The Lord

1 Chronicles 22:19---Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD."

David had prepared the way for Solomon to reign in several ways. He had subdued the enemies of Israel. He asked the leaders to assist Solomon, and as we saw yesterday, he prepared everything for the building of the Temple. There was one last thing Solomon needed. David gave him the single most important thing he needed to reign, the instruction to devote his heart and soul to seeking the LORD. Unless that was done, all the other preparation would not help him. If our heart's great desire is to know the LORD and His will, it is devoted to seeking the LORD. That only comes about when we value the things of God more highly than the things of the world. It is always an exercise in faith, for it is the desire for the unseen over the visible. David asked Solomon to set his compass toward the LORD. The second great burden on David's heart was to see the Temple built, so he charged Solomon to get started. Once the Temple was built, the Ark of the Covenant could be placed along with the sacred articles. The presence of God would fill the place, and the people's hearts would turn toward the LORD. Every group of worshippers needs the same thing. They need leaders who have devoted their hearts to seek the LORD. Since they are the temple, they need the presence of God in them. They need the tools (gifts and abilities), with which to carry out that which God would direct.

Living Stones

1 Chronicles 22:5,14---David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death. "I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them.

Before David's death, he had one great vision. He wanted to prepare everything for a house of God, the Temple. The tabernacle (tent of meeting) had served the purpose of a place to meet and worship up until this time. Now that they had settled and defeated their enemies, a fixed place could be constructed. David was not allowed to build it because of all the blood he had shed in battle. The house of the LORD was to be a place of peace. But David didn't just leave it all up to his son, Solomon. He did all that he could to amass the materials and laborers and create the plans. The record of the number of materials collected is staggering! David gave it his all. In life, we will have God-given desires on which we cannot work directly. That does not mean we cannot give and help in many ways. David appointed singers, made instruments, wrote psalms, appointed construction workers, imported materials and many other things that became a part of the Temple, even though he would never see it. Most of the fruit from a surrendered life will not be seen in our lifetime. Only the view from eternity will tell the real tale of our life's investment in the things of God. David invited his son to add even more. He was not making a monument to self. He wanted the very best for the worship of God, and the more, the better. He encouraged others to give to the great cause. Though that building was temporal, it was a picture of an eternal one.

Giving God Your All

1 Chronicles 21:22-24---Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshing-floor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all. And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

Because of David's sin in numbering the people, he had chosen between three possible curses. He chose three days of the plague. When the angel stood over Jerusalem with his sword drawn, David knew he must act. 70,000 had already died. He interceded for the people and asked that the curse falls on him and his family since he had committed the sin. The LORD told David, through the prophet Gad, to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. This was the same place that Abraham had offered Isaac. It is the same ridge upon which the Lamb of God would be offered for the sins of the world. It is where the chaff is blown away, and what is of value remains. For Abraham, the hope in his son was "blown away" and trust in God remained. For Jesus, the sins of the world were blown away by his blood and redeemed children of God remained. For David, the guilt was about to be blown away, and a forgiven man would remain. David wanted to purchase the ground upon which to build the altar and later the Temple. Araunah offered to give it to him. You might say he was generous, but remember that he is standing in the shadow of an angel with a sword. David insisted on paying full price. Though Jesus paid our sin debt, it was not as if it was inexpensive. He paid the full price in our place. Offerings cost. It cost God the greatest price that could be paid. When we give to God our own hearts, we too should be willing to pay with lives of service.

The Heart of An Intercessor

1 Chronicles 21:16-17---And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

After David numbered the people of Israel, a sign of his heart turning away from God and depended on strength in numbers, the LORD sent his prophet to tell David the nation would suffer for this sin. He had three choices. He had to choose between 3 years of famine, 3 months of fleeing before their enemies, or 3 days of a plague from God. David knew God is more merciful than man. He chose the last option. The plague swept through Israel killing 70,000 people. When the angel that brought the plague stood over Jerusalem, David could see him. David interceded for the city by pleading that the sword of the angel falls on his own home since he was the guilty party. God's judgments are always just Surely the people's hearts had gone the same direction as David's, trusting in their numbers instead of the LORD. In this plea from David, we see his genuine shepherd's heart. He would rather take the blow than have it fall on his people. This is the heart of an intercessor that cares enough to place his own life on the line for others. We saw it in Moses, and now in David, and ultimately in Jesus, the Great Shepherd. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Sometimes We Just Need To Listen

1 Chronicles 21:1-3---And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?

David's kingdom was established and blessed. His enemies were subdued and paying tribute. When the spiritual enemy could not attack from without, he attacked from within. Satan can inspire men to attack the people of God. When that fails, he will try to corrupt the people of God through their thought life. What was so evil about numbering the people? David had already learned again and again that the victory was not about superior forces but the blessing and leading of God. Numbering the nation was a way to count on his physical resources. What does it matter how many men you have prepared for battle if God is not with you? This is contrary to lesson upon lesson that God had shown David. Even Joab, the commander of the army, knew this was a mistake. Joab got to the point when he said, "May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over." It was not just a census on David's heart, but able bodied men. He pleaded with the king not to go through with this sin, but the king did not listen.

God Will Always Do His Part For The Faithful

1 Chronicles 19:13---Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

After David was established as king, he heard about the death of the king of the Ammonites. He sent a group of Israelites to express sympathy. The new king's advisors suggested that this display of sympathy was really to spy out the land. They cut off the beard and robes of the ambassadors, a sign of great humiliation in that day, and sent them back. When the Ammonites realized this might cause retaliation they hired the Arameans as mercenaries. David's general, Joab, led the troops against them but the two enemy armies were able to set up armies in front and behind Joab. Joab divided his army and put one group to fight in front and the other behind. Whichever group was successful was to turn and help the others. That is when the verse we have today was uttered. The odds did not look good. Joab reminded them they were fighting for the people and the cities of their God. That made it personal for each soldier. It wasn't just about their own life; it was for their family, too. We realize our battle affects many more than just us personally. How many fallen had forgotten how their entire family and those of their city are affected by their battle? We do the best we can in the situation God has placed us. We rely on His strength. Then we trust that God will do what is good in His sight. God did help them, and both enemy armies retreated. The LORD did what was good in His sight. Remember: Your spiritual battle is for your family and your city. Encourage yourself with the fact that if you do your part, the LORD will certainly do His.

There Is No God Like Our God

1 Chronicles 17:20---O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

David is told that God is the One who will build a house for David, not David for God. God promised to have David's descendent reign forever. That descendant is Jesus, the son of David. I doubt David understood all the implications of what God spoke to him. We rarely do. Still, even in our limited and sometimes faulty understanding, we are in awe that the Creator of the universe would bother with us and even honor us so. Perhaps David thought of an earthly dynasty. That would have been wonderful enough. But I don't think he could have conceived that the Son of God would be born through his line to bring salvation to all mankind. There is no one like God. He is the only God. He is the only One who could make such an amazing promise and fulfill it in ways beyond David's comprehension. He is more wonderful than we can perceive. Our understanding of Him is always limited, for He is infinite. Our appreciation will always fall short. Whatever your situation or need, know that God is more than sufficient. He can work in ways you cannot understand. When Judah went into captivity, they must have wondered what happened to these promises. God was still keeping them. Consider: In our darkest nights, we can know God is still on the throne of heaven working all things together for our good and His eternal glory.

A Need For Feed

The Comfort Of The Holy Spirit

Rely On God’s Strength

1 Chronicles 16:8-11---Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Chronicles record the story of the ark coming to Jerusalem. The first time they tried to bring it their own way, and Uzzah died. The second time they did it according to the word of the LORD. There was great rejoicing. David danced so all-out that his wife despised him. Musicians were appointed to play before the ark on a regular basis. David gave gifts of food to everyone. It was truly a festive occasion. At that time, David committed a psalm to his worship leader, Asaph. He didn't just give it to him but committed it to him. Asaph had this Spirit inspired song and was now responsible to see it sung. Is that how we feel about Spirit inspired music? It is committed to our worship leaders so that they see it is sung to the LORD. In this psalm, David commands us to give thanks to the LORD, to call on His name and to tell the nations what God has done. He is commanding us to send out missionaries. We are to sing to Him! We often sing about Him, telling of His wonderful acts, but we need to sing to Him also. We are to glory in His holy name. His name is the sum of His attributes. Glory in all that God is! If you seek the LORD, your heart should rejoice. Then David shared a lesson that was just reinforced. He sought God when the Philistine army came against Israel. The first time God directed them one way to victory. The second time God directed them in a different way, and they defeated the enemy again. Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. That is something Saul did not do, but David was determined to do.

Being Devoted To God

1 Chronicles 11:17-19---And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives, they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

David's mighty men were so committed to him because of the Spirit they saw upon him that an expressed desire caused them to risk their lives. Not every desire of an anointed leader is from the Lord. Leaders who have such loyal men must be very careful in what they say to those who support them in ministry. David longed for a drink from the well in Jerusalem. These three mighty warriors decided they would battle their way to the well and back to honor his request. When David received the water, he did something that must have broken their hearts. He poured it out to before the LORD. Then he explained why. The men had risked their lives for his personal desire. David knew that life was sacred and should only be put on the line for the One who gave life. How could he partake of something those men had risked their lives for? That would cheapen life and put him in the position of God. Later in David's life, he did cross this boundary for a different desire. This passage shows us that he clearly knew where the line was. Devotion to an anointed leader is a good thing as long as that leader is expressing God's desires and not his own. We have the Spirit and must discern which is which.

A Contagious Faith

1 Chronicles 11:10-11----These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.

David had a very large following of mighty men. These men began gathering around David when he fled from Saul. Why did they come to him? He had nothing to offer them. They were a bit like the old gangs whom people paid protection money, only they actually did protect people. In the account of their protection of Nabal, David could say that they took nothing from him. They may have been men of ill repute but they were willing to follow David's example. Surely David shared with them his love for God. If nothing else, they learned of it in his psalms, many of which David wrote while on the run from Saul. I think there was another thing that drew them; David was anointed. The presence of God was with him. In his words and actions, there was something different, something of God. When a man or woman commits himself or herself completely to God, there is a fire of dedication that draws people. People come to watch them burn while wondering if they can have such a zeal for God. The mighty men of David followed David's example of standing by faith in the power of God against impossible enemies. Their faith was strengthened by his example, and they had a testimony all their own. Your faith can be contagious and inspire others to trust in God. Nothing short of complete dedication is going to catch the attention of others. Extraordinary faith comes from an extraordinary relationship. We see David's extraordinary relationship with God in the psalms.

The Right Kind Of Increase

1 Chronicles 11:9---So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

In this summary of the reign of David, we are reminded why he continually increased in power. The LORD Almighty was with him. God is all-powerful, and all power comes from Him and returns to Him. Several other passages in Scripture remind us of this spiritual truth. When God is with you, there is an increase. Psalms 84:7---They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 2 Corinthians 3:18---And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. The increase in your life will not be in the ways the world counts increase. David's increase in strength was for the eternal Kingdom of God. We find much of our musical heritage goes back to David and his instruments and positions he appointed at the Tent of worship. The Psalms of David have inspired and comforted millions. The world can't see an increase in glory, but your brothers and sisters in the LORD can. This increase is an increase in eternal substance, not in temporal passing things. It is the most valuable type of increase, for it is eternal. We run after all kinds of other increase in the world, but the heart that is after God will seek the increase that comes from the presence of the LORD Almighty.