Change In Plans

OK . . . so even though II Chronicles is very much a story and not genealogy . . . I've . . . ah . . . no desire to read it. Yeah . . .

It's kinda funny because I want to read it but just not now . . . I was so conflicted because I thought, OK, so why do I not want to read this . . . ? I felt kinda guilty because I kept skipping around and would end up just reading Psalms (not that there's anything wrong with that . . . but I felt bad because I wasn't sticking to my plan). Then yesterday, I just felt really drawn to read Galatians. I realized II Chronicles wasn't going to work.

Choosing to read Galatians was the best decision I made yesterday ; ). I'm not sure if I've ever read it before but I am now and it's really coming alive for me.

Lately I've been realizing that we are here not for popular approval but to show God to the world. I know, we grow up knowing that in the Church but there's nothing like the moment when a truth you've known all your life becomes personal. Yesterday as I was reading Galatians that point just popped off the pages in verse 10 of chapter one.

"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 NKJV

I really like how the Message Bible put it also.

"Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave."

So that's it!

Well . . . actually today I read about how we are justified and that it's not by works. But since I'm only making one point per post . . . I'll save that for another time. ; )

And Solomon Named the Pillars

I thought this was an interesting facet of the chapter. In the last verse of chapter three, which is about Solomon building the temple, it says "Then he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin and the name of the one on the left Boaz."

Hmmmm . . .

Well, Jachin means whom God strengthens. (Makes sense for that to be the name of a pillar.)

And Boaz means fleetness. (And fleetness . . . for those of you—like me—who have never heard that word before . . . means "fast and nimble in movement." Thank you dock dictionary!)

Back To II Chronicles

So this morning I decided I need to actually start reading the book I said I was reading: II Chronicles. But today, I'm back.

And today Solomon wrote the King of Tyre a letter asking for cedars of Lebanon and a man who was skilled in working with various precious metals and cloths. It was a nice letter. But what really stood out to me was how the King of Tyre started out his letter.

He said, "Because the LORD loves His people, He had made you king over them."

Isn't that the most awesome thing to say to someone?! Because God loves His people, he has made you their leader. Because God loves this company, He has made you the president. Because God loves this school He has made you the principal.

Who says stuff like that? I've never heard that said before. But what an honor!

I mean, it's Romans 13:1b that says, "For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."

And it's a well known fact that people live up to the expectations others have for them, so why not let them know we expect them to lead as if they are indeed a blessing from God? Hmmm . . . not really sure what this would look like, but it's just a random thought.

Justified

Romans 5:1

"Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ."

[I'm still skipping around II Chronicles . . . don't know why, it isn't full of genealogy like the first one was . . . lol]

Awaken the Dawn

Lately I've been wandering around from the actual book I'm supposed to be reading. This morning I read Psalm 108, which has the phrase I have taken for the title of my blog.

It was so encouraging to read this verse to day, and this whole chapter really, because it talks about God just totally being there for you and helping you overcome your enemies. Not that I have enemies that need overcoming, but I do have big projects and deadlines that need overcoming, and I'm glad that God will be there for me the whole way!

"For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds." Psalm 108:4.

Heal the Wound but Leave the Scar

This morning for my devotional time I decided to do something a little different . . . well . . . I didn't really plan it, it just sort of happened. Instead of reading from II Chronicles, I just focused on a song that meant a lot to me and why it meant so much . . . here is the story. : )

When I was a kid, probably about three years old, I remember my parents telling me that when we go to heaven we won't have any scars because Jesus is going to give us new bodies. This should have made me happy but instead I was really sad and upset about it. I didn't want to give up my scars. Those were my bragging rights! I've always loved telling stories and scars were like an automatic story just waiting to happen.

"Hey, where'd you get that?"

"Well, let me tell you about that day . . . "

As I got older my sentiment didn't really change about my physical scars, but instead of making blunders of the klutzy kind, I started making mistakes that didn't leave physical wounds but emotional. Whether that was a fight with a friend or just saying or being or doing things that weren't too smart. Those scars I could do without. Yet I realized that even though these new scars weren't as cool, they still told a story of how I was growing and maturing . . . and how God was working in my life whether I cared or not.

I don't really mind as much today; not being able to take my scars to heaven. That's because I already have scars in heaven. And those scars have a really cool story that go with them. Those are the scars Jesus has in His hands, feet, and side. They were meant for me. But so I could live in heaven with Him forever, He endured the pain that created those scars . . . for me—and you. And forever and ever, I will be able to tell the greatest scar story (which is really the greatest love story)—starting now!

This is the song that brought this all to mind one day . . . Heal the Wound but Leave the Scar by Point of Grace.

Chronicles the Second Time Around

Here we go again . . . I've decided to read II Chronicles for my next book. Actually I've already started. hehe . . . I've been a little worded out lately, but I'll do my best to keep this blog updated regularly with my most recent adventures through . . . not genealogy . . . but the beginning of Solomon's reign and the building of the temple.

In flipping through the book I've not noticed any genealogy yet . . . hmmm . . . we'll see. Perhaps it's all story. That would be cool . . . as much as I do enjoy learning the meaning to those hard-to-pronounce Biblical names. lol. (Btw, I wasn't be sarcastic . . . I do like learning name meanings.)

OK, well, let me say a little bit about what I read yesterday in chapter one.

The first chapter of II Chronicles begins with the famous story of God asking Solomon what he would like. Solomon didn't ask for riches or honor, he asked for wisdom. I never knew this before, I don't think any pastor has ever brought this up in a sermon I've listened to, but Solomon was seriously nervous. He didn't know how he was going to lead the nation he had just been made king over.

Just before God asked Solomon to name anything he wanted, Solomon had been seeking God with his assembly of captains and leaders of Israel. They went up to where the ark of God was and Solomon "offered a thousand burnt offerings on" the alter there (1:6).

That night is when God appeared to Solomon said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1:7.)

Imagine God asking this? I remember as a kid how my friends and I would always ask each other what we'd say if we were granted one wish.

"I'd ask for a thousand more!" Came our "clever" response each time. Thankfully Solomon was more mature than us.

If you read the chapter you can hear the uneasiness he is feeling at taking up the leadership of Israel.

He said to God, "You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude" (1:9).

I'd be overwhelmed too!

And so he asked for the one thing he knew he couldn't survive being king without . . .

"Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" (1:10.)

Now . . . here's the cool thing. Because he didn't ask for riches or glory, God gave him those as well.

The End of I Chronicles

I really cannot believe that I have finished I Chronicles. I once thought that I would never read this book and that it was probably THE most boring book in the Bible! How wrong I was. I grew to absolutely LOVE this book. I even discovered that my favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, takes a part from I Chronicles 17.

I will admit toward the end of the book I was ready to be done with it, as you might tell from my last post. I really didn't post much because I was mentally, emotionally, and intellectually DONE with any sort of genealogical or lists reading for the time. If you've been following along with my blog you will know that the whole book is not a long list of names or items, but instead does have many stories sprinkled in throughout it and even complete chapters that are all story. However, as I neared the end of the book it came full circle back to some lists mingled in with the story of David preparing to hand over temple plans and materials to Solomon.

Overall this book is a great read and I'm thankful I read it. I learned some really cool things about God, the children of Israel (like what their names meant . . . I'll never forget the dunghill guy from early on in the book . . . ; ) . . . or God marching in the treetops above David's army . . . very cool! And so much more!!).

If you've never read I Chronicles . . . go for it! There are awesome stories hidden in there that you've probably never heard in Sabbath/Sunday school before that will really surprise you. At least they surprised me . . . if you do read it, let me know how it goes. I'd love to compare notes and thoughts. : )

The Last Chapter

David again admonished the people to help his inexperienced son Solomon. Solomon assumed the thrown. David passed away. Everyone followed Solomon. End of story. End of chapter. End of book.

I might write more later but that's all I got for right now. Pretty anticlimactic, huh?

David Gives Solomon Plans for Temple

Note: So I think I'll do this in a news story style again. lol. Try at least.

David called all the leaders of Israel together for an assembly in which he gave his son Solomon the plans to build the temple of the LORD.

David reminded the people that, while he had planned to build the temple, God previously told him that he was unable to because he was "a man of war and . . . shed blood."

God instead promised that David's son Solomon would be the one to build the temple.

In the years leading up to this assembly, David prepared plans for the temple and gathered materials for Solomon to use. David also commanded the leaders his kingdom to support and help Solomon with the constructing of the temple building.

Near the end of the assembly, just before handing the plans and materials for the temple to his son, David gave Solomon some advice.

" . . . know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind," David said, "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 the house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it."

P.S. I thought it was neat how David attributed the plans for the temple as being directed by the Spirit of God.

"All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans" (28:19).

ONLY ONE MORE CHAPTER OF I CHRONICLES!! : ) I've totally enjoyed it though!

I Chronicles 27

Nothing much to report on here . . . it was just a list of David's military divisions, leaders of tribes, and other state officials. I'm sure there is something amazing in this chapter but I'm just not catching it at the moment.

Something that I did find interesting is that it mentioned the census wasn't completed because "wrath came upon Israel" because of it (27:24). And also that the number was never recorded. Aaaand no one age 20 and younger was counted—or rather their number wasn't taken (I think that means the same as they weren't counted . . . )

It was so strange for me to realize that—and this is coming from the whole 20 and younger thing . . . it reminded me of the Israelites spending 40 years in the wilderness—I realized, had I been there, I would have died out there . . . because I am no longer under 20 . . . it was a very sad realization—even though . . . that was so many years ago. It just made me realize that I'm really an adult now. When did that happen?

Reminders of Years Past

When I canvassed in 2007 some of my favorite songs that my team sang were the scripture songs I learned as a child. Today I wasn't really feeling like experiences another list of genealogy (I Chronicles has reverted back to lists of names again) so I decided to read a random Psalm. Psalm 19 is the one I flipped to and I'm so glad I did. This Psalm of David holds a scripture song I used to sing as a child and then again as a canvasser as well as several "famous" Bible verses.

I never realized Psalm 19 was such a well known Psalm before . . . I mean we know about Psalm 23 and Psalm 119 and even Psalm 22 (which is the Psalm Jesus repeated the first verse from while he was dying on the cross—"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?")

In Psalm 19 are the verses about the heavens declaring the works of the God, and the scripture song starting with "the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul . . ."

Finding all of this packed into this relatively short chapter was a nice surprise. : )

All In The Family

Heman had a pretty cool family and job. He had 14 sons and three daughters who were all part of their very own family band/orchestra for the purpose of praising God in the temple. Heman was the "conductor," while his children played cymbols, stringed instruments, and harps. That was their job.

There were many other families who also played instruments and sang for God's glory in the temple but from reading the chapter 25 today it seemed like Heman has the largest family—17 in total.

Heman name means faithful.

Anyway . . . Heman's story is what I found was interesting in chapter 25.

Beno Before And There'll Be No . . .

When I was a kid I had a guy friend who always seemed to have REALLY bad gas! At the ages of 12 and 13 that just seemed to be what guys were majoring in as a whole. I used to tease him about it a lot.

During this time of life my mom would host Friday-night vespers at different homes for the youth to get together and study something in the Bible or play a Bible game. One Bible game we played required us to take a letter of the alphabet and find various items from the Bible that started with that letter.

Say you chose the letter 'B.' You would then need to find a proper name starting with the letter 'B,' as well as a tool, animal, town, and various other items.

Image from beanogas.com

One time my friend selected the letter 'B' and found the proper name Beno tucked away in I Chronicles 24:26. I remember thinking it was the coolest thing (I was like 13). It seemed like the perfect name for him to use! You've probably seen the ads for a gas prevention product named Beano with the slogan "Beano Before And There'll Be No Gas."

Back then when my friend found the name Beno I underlined it in my Bible so I wouldn't forget where it was. But over the years the name and significance has slipped my mind. Until today when I was reading I Chronicles 24 and came across it again. Seeing it made me smile and brought back this funny memory!

My Friend In Abundance

Today I found my friend Zina's name in a long list of genealogy in chapter 23. As you can probably guess from the title of this post, her name is thought to mean abundance.