March 4 WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63) One of the basic precepts of the Sunday school movement has always been that God’s Word must be carefully and systematically studied by believers of all ages. Study it carefully, think of it prayerfully, Till in your heart its precepts dwell; Slight not its history, ponder its mystery, None can e’er prize it too fondly or well. —Unknown One of the earnest concerns of many present leaders is the biblical ignorance of so many church people. Often precious Sunday school time is spent in teaching everything but the Bible itself. Yet the churches that do teach the Scriptures diligently and apply their teachings to modern living are the churches that are experiencing the greatest growth. We never outgrow our need for the Bible; it becomes more helpful to us with the years. We must also realize that God’s truth revealed to us is never contrary or apart from the Bible. Often there have been those who have claimed to have extra revelations through visions which supersede the Scriptures. God’s Word clearly warns against this false assertion (Jeremiah 23:16). Philip P. Bliss was one of the most important names in the development of early gospel music. Before his tragic death at age 38, he wrote many favorites still enjoyed by congregations. “Wonderful Words of Life” was written by Bliss in 1874, for the first issue of a Sunday school paper, Words of Life. These words still speak to both young and old of the importance of God’s Word in our daily lives: Sing them over again to me—wonderful words of life; let me more of their beauty see—wonderful words of life. Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty: Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life; sinner, list to the loving call—wonderful words of life. All so freely given, wooing us to heaven: Sweetly echo the gospel call—wonderful words of life; offer pardon and peace to all—wonderful words of life. Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever: Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words of life.
For Today: Psalm 119:103, 172; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4
Reflect on whether God’s Word has the place of importance in your life that it should have. Consider ways that this could be improved. Sing this musical reminder—
March 3 O HOW I LOVE JESUS Frederick Whitfield, 1829–1904 We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) This simply stated, lilting musical testimony has been another of the Sunday school favorites since it was first published in leaflet form in 1855. It has since been translated into various languages and has been included in numerous evangelical hymnals. The words express so well the response of believers of any age as we reflect on all that Christ has done and continues to do for us daily. Indirectly, the hymn also exalts the written Word, for it is only through the study of the revealed written Word that we gain a true knowledge of the Living Word. The text originally included eight stanzas. Several interesting verses not found in present hymnals include these words: It tells me of a Father’s smile that beams upon His child. It cheers me through this little while, through deserts waste and wild. It bids my trembling soul rejoice, and dries each rising tear. It tells me in a still small voice, to trust and not to fear. The author, Frederick Whitfield, was an Anglican church clergyman. He is credited with more than 30 books of religious verse. The anonymous tune is a typical 19th century American folk song used in the campground meetings of that time. Even a century after they were written, these ageless words are still appropriate for expressing our love and devotion for Christ: There is a name I love to hear; I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in mine ear, the sweetest name on earth. It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free; it tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea. It tells me what my Father hath in store for ev’ry day, and, tho I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way. It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe, who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below. Chorus: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus—because He first loved me!
For Today: John 14:23; Philippians 2:9–11; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 4:7–21; Jude 21
Breathe a prayer expressing your love to Christ for all that He means to you. Thank Him for initiating His love on your behalf. Thank Him also for the daily sunshine He gives. Carry this little musical nugget with you throughout the day—
March 2 JESUS LOVES ME Anna B. Warner, 1820–1915 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17) The story is told of a brilliant professor at Princeton Seminary who always left his graduation class with these words: “Gentlemen, there is still much in this world and in the Bible that I do not understand, but of one thing I am certain—‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so’—and gentlemen, that is sufficient!” Without doubt the song that has been sung more by children than any other hymn is this simply stated one by Anna Warner. Written in 1860, it is still one of the first hymns taught to new converts in other lands. Miss Warner wrote this text in collaboration with her sister Susan. It was part of their novel Say and Seal, one of the best selling books of that day. Today few individuals would know or remember the plot of that story, which once stirred the hearts of many readers. But the simple poem spoken by one of the characters, Mr. Linden, as he comforts Johnny Fax, a dying child, still remains the favorite hymn of countless children around the world. Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong. Jesus loves me! loves me still, tho I’m very weak and ill, that I might from sin be free, bled and died upon the tree. Jesus loves me! He who died heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in. Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way. Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee. Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. William Bradbury, the composer of the music, was one of the leading contributors to the development of early gospel music in America. He became recognized as one of the pioneers in children’s music both for the church and in the public schools. In 1861 Bradbury composed the music for Anna Warner’s text and personally added the chorus to her four stanzas. The hymn appeared the following year in Bradbury’s hymnal collection, The Golden Sower. It had an immediate response.
For Today: Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3; Matthew 11:25; Mark 10:16
“If there is anything that will endure the eye of God, because it still is pure, it is the spirit of a little child, fresh from His hand, and therefore undefiled.” Ask God to give you this kind of spirit.
“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” (1 Chron. 22:5).Trusting the promise that his son would construct the temple he had yearned to build, David dedicated his last years to making preparations for a structure he would never see. We too are wise to prepare for a future beyond the span of our years here on earth.
Definition of Key Terms
Levites.
The descendants of Levi were set aside during the Exodus to serve God. In that age their primary duty was to assist the priests and to take down, set up, and transport the tabernacle and its sacred objects. With a permanent temple about to be built, the Levites’ duties had to be rethought. David gave much time to planning the duties of the Levites and organizing the tribe for temple service.
Overview
David made preparations for the temple Solomon was to build (22:1–13). He assembled materials (vv. 14–19), organized tasks for the Levites (23:1–32; 24:20–31) and serving priests (vv. 1–19), trained musicians (25:1–31), assigned guards (“gatekeepers”) (26:1–19), and created other offices (vv. 20–32). David also reorganized the army (27:1–34). Near the end David charged Israel’s officials to accept Solomon as king, and presented Solomon with detailed plans for the temple (28:1–21). David and others gave generously to the temple project, and David dedicated the gifts (29:1–20). David placed Solomon on his throne (vv. 21–25) and died (vv. 26–30).
Understanding the Text
“Devote your heart and your soul to seeking the Lord your God” 1 Chron. 22:1–19. David reminded Solomon of the promises God made to him, and exhorted his son to build the temple. But David was most concerned about Solomon’s personal rather than public commitment to God. Solomon had to be devoted to the Lord and obedient, or his accomplishments would be meaningless. The splendor of the temple Solomon was to construct, the activity of the Levites and priests carrying out their duties there, would all be empty if not motivated by love for the Lord. “David separated them into divisions” 1 Chron. 24:1–19. Each division of priests served for two weeks at the temple, then returned to their home cities. This plan was in use in Jesus’ time (see Luke 1:8). “David . . . set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals” 1 Chron. 25:1–31. One of David’s important contributions was to formally establish the role of music in worship. The “prophesying, accompanied” most probably indicates psalms set to music for public worship. Many of the psalms have musical notations in their superscriptions. “The divisions of the gatekeepers” 1 Chron. 26:1–19. The “gatekeepers” were armed Levites who occupied guard posts on the temple grounds. They not only were to keep order but also to protect the vast wealth to be assembled in temple treasure rooms. A variety of musical instruments were used in David’s time. These were played at feasts and celebrations. They also made a vital contribution to public worship, which in Israel often was infused with a vibrant sense of joyous excitment. Harps, lyres, cymbals, and different kinds of horns provided accompaniment for recitation of many of the Bible’s psalms. “The army divisions” 1 Chron. 27:1–24. Israel, like other states, relied on citizen armies. Farmers and artisans became soldiers in time of national emergency, and then returned to their homes. David’s innovation was to divide the citizen army into a dozen divisions of 24,000 men, each of which was on duty 1 month and off duty 11. The training provided during the duty month would keep Israel militarily strong and ready. David’s innovation was effective, and illustrates the modern doctrine of “peace through strength.” Not once during Solomon’s 40-year reign did Israel have to go to war. The military was ready—and unused. “He has chosen” 1 Chron. 28:1–21. For a third time, the writer of Chronicles refers to the Davidic Covenant (cf. also 17:1–15; 22:1–19). God had chosen David and lifted him up to be king. God also chose Solomon to succeed David and to build His temple. All that had happened was rooted in God’s sovereign choice. But God’s sovereign will does not rule out the exercise of man’s free will. It is the responsibility of those God has chosen to acknowledge the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. David’s words to Solomon might well be addressed to you and me. God has chosen us in Christ, and through Christ granted us forgiveness and new life. So we are to acknowledge God “and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (v. 9). As David promised, if we seek God we will find Him. But if we reject God, we will never experience His blessing.
DEVOTIONAL
Our Personal Treasures (1 Chron. 28–29)
David’s vision saw well beyond his time. David devoted his last years to planning a temple he knew he would not live to see. Then David took yet another step. He reported to an assembly of government officials, “I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God” (29:3). David’s example moved others to give as freely and wholeheartedly. He offered a prayer of dedication (vv. 10–13), and then explained his philosophy of giving. That explanation, taken to heart, can make our own giving joyous and spontaneous. What, then, did David understand about giving? David realized that “everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” God is the greatest Giver of all. We take no risk in giving His own back to Him. David realized that “our days on earth are like a shadow.” The person who piles up treasures on earth is foolish. The only way to keep our personal treasures forever is to give them away, for then we will have reward in heaven. David knew that God tests the heart and is pleased with integrity. God does not value the amount we give, but our intention. David gave “willingly and with honest intent.” His giving was an expression of the reality of his love for the Lord. If you and I adopt David’s viewpoint on material wealth, it will make a difference in our giving. But most important of all, trust in God’s ability to provide for us, and a perspective that values eternity more than time, will free us to experience giving as a joy and a true expression of our love for the Lord.
Personal Application
Giving is not a duty but a privilege.
Quotable
“The accumulation of vast wealth while so many are languishing in misery is a grave transgression of God’s law, with the consequence that the greedy avaricious man is never at ease in his mind: he is in fact a most unhappy creature.”—Pope John XXIII
GOD’S PROMISE TO DAVID 1 Chronicles 17–21“I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you” (1 Chron. 17:10).God’s faithfulness to His promises to David provided a foundation of hope for the tiny, postexilic Judean community of 450B.C God’s promises remain the basis of hope for us today.
Background
The Davidic Covenant.
God made a series of promises to David through Nathan the prophet. David would defeat his enemies and bring Israel peace. An offspring of David would build the temple David dreamed of constructing. One day David’s Offspring would be “set over My house and My [God’s] kingdom forever; His throne will be established forever.” Some elements of the promises to David were fulfilled in his lifetime. David did defeat Israel’s enemies, expand her territory, and win a reputation as Israel’s greatest king. Other elements were fulfilled in Solomon, who succeeded David and built the Jerusalem temple. But those elements of the promise concerning an eternal kingdom relate to an “Offspring” to be born in the distant future. As New Testament genealogies show, this distant Offspring was Jesus Christ, who as the Son of God is destined to rule eternally. The writer of the Book of Chronicles, intent on offering hope to his generation, reported the divine promise and in the next chapters showed that God was indeed faithful to His commitments in David’s own lifetime. As the Chronicles continue, the author will show that the promised temple was built, and in 2 Chronicles will show that a descendant of David always sat on Judah’s throne. God has been faithful, the Chronicler argues, so we can expect God to be faithful. One day a Descendant of David will restore the glory of Israel. He will live an endless life, and He will rule forever and ever.
Overview
David was not allowed to build a temple. But God promised to build David’s “house” (17:1–15), stunning Israel’s humble king (vv. 16–27). God’s faithfulness to the promise is shown by David’s victories (18:1–20:8). God used David’s sin to lead him to the site of the future temple (21:1–30).
Understanding the Text
“I will raise up your offspring to succeed you” 1 Chron. 17:1–15. God does not ask us to do great things for Him. Instead He seeks to do great things for and through us. The Lord refused David permission to build Him a temple. Instead God told David what He would do. What God intended to do for David was to make his name great and subdue all his enemies. David would have great success as a ruler (vv. 7–8, 10). What God intended to do through David was to make His people secure (v. 9), and from David’s family line raise up a Person who would rule God’s kingdom forever (vv. 11–14). This later prediction follows the “law of double fulfillment” which often governs interpretation of prophecy. The prophecy is fulfilled immediately, but that immediate fulfillment is a type of an ultimate fulfillment also intended. God did establish David’s son Solomon as king, gave him a peaceful rule, and permitted him to build God’s house. Yet in the distant future a far greater Offspring of David than Solomon would be born. That future Offspring will bring peace to the universe itself, and rule God’s entire kingdom, not just for a few years but forever. One of the lessons we learn from David is to submit to God so He can act for us. Only when we open our lives to the Lord and let Him act for us will God do great things through us. “The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went” 1 Chron. 18:1–20:8. When David became king, Israel was a small nation surrounded by powerful enemies. These chapters recount the military victories which enabled David to expand his kingdom and control adjacent lands. One incident reported in these chapters reveals David’s conviction that his victories could be won only with the help of the Lord. Deuteronomy 17:16 commanded that no king of Israel should obtain horses. This meant that Israel would have no cavalry and no chariot army, both important components of ancient armed forces. Chariots particularly were decisive weapons in many battles in the Middle East. Yet 2 Samuel 8:4 tells us that when David captured a thousand chariots from Hadadezer, he hamstrung all but a hundred chariot horses! This act, cutting the tendon in the horses’ forelegs, lamed the animals and made them unfit for warfare. David chose to obey God and rely completely on Him. He was not tempted to turn to the “super weapons” of the ancient world, for he knew that without God’s help they would be useless—and with God’s help chariots would be unnecessary. What a lesson for us today. We need not rely on the weapons of this world. Without God’s help, they are useless. And with God’s help, we do not need them. “A census of Israel” 1 Chron. 21:1–7. The Hebrew shatan means “adversary.” It is possible that it should be rendered this way in 21:1. In that case, Satan was not involved but it was the appearance of adversaries preparing for war against Israel that prompted David to take a military census. For some reason taking the census was wrong. Perhaps God had spoken against it. Perhaps it reflected a lack of trust in God. Whatever the reason, the act was sin, and God announced that He would punish David and Israel. We are not only to act in harmony with God’s Word, but also must examine our own motives. Romans reminds us, “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). “Tell David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah” 1 Chron. 21:8–30. David selected his penalty, but when he saw the death of so many, David begged the Lord to punish him personally. Instead God told David to build an altar on Araunah’s threshing floor. This height just across from the present City of David was in fact the place where Abraham had come to offer up his son Isaac (Gen. 22). This was also the place which God had chosen for construction of the temple. The incident is prophetic, in that where David built an altar and offered a prayer that turned away divine judgment, Solomon would build a temple that symbolized God’s gracious presence with His people. There in the centuries to come Israel and Judah would also appeal to God. It was sin that brought David to the threshing floor to build an altar. Often sin would bring Judah to the temple built on that same threshing floor to seek forgiveness.
DEVOTIONAL
Claiming God’s Promises (1 Chron. 17)
I suppose, “Claim God’s promises” is one of the most frequent exhortations that Christians hear from the pulpit. Yet like much of religious jargon, that phrase may be puzzling to many. What does it mean to “claim God’s promises”? And how does a person go about doing it? David’s response to the wonderful promises the Lord made to him is one of Scripture’s clearest examples of claiming God’s promises. David shows us how we too are to respond to promises from God, to claim His promises for ourselves. (1) David expressed wonder at God’s goodness to him (vv. 16–19). (2) David praised God for His past acts on behalf of His people (vv. 20–22). (3) Finally David expressed confidence that God would “do as You promised.” David says, “You, O Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever” (vv. 23–27). How do we follow David’s pattern? When we find a promise in God’s Word, we are first to express our wonder at God’s goodness to us. We should then praise God, thinking of all He has done for us in Christ, and in our lives to date. Then we need to express our confidence that God will keep the promise He has made—and then live obediently in the conviction that God will do all He has said. If you and I claim God’s promises by finding them, thanking God for them, believing them, and then acting on them—we will find out how completely faithful the Lord is to His Word.
Personal Application
When you find a promise in Scripture, claim it as your own.
Quotable
“Faith makes all evil good to us, and all good better; unbelief makes all good evil, and all evil worse. Faith laughs at the shaking of the spear; unbelief trembles at the shaking of a leaf; unbelief starves the soul; faith finds food in famine, and a table in the wilderness. In the greatest danger, faith says, ‘I have a great God.’ When outward strength is broken, faith rests on the promises. In the midst of sorrow, faith draws the sting out of every trouble, and takes out the bitterness from every affliction.”—Robert Cecil
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 