I just finished reading 1 Chronicles today. God rocked my world on a few things and got me thinking on some others. Here’s a mind dump for you:
1) The Details – Over half of this book is genealogies. God is a God of purpose so He has reason for putting it all in there. I read the whole book today and I went away saying “wow!” after seeing all of the details. The cliff notes: God is interested in the details of human existence, including YOUR details.
2) 1 Chronicles 21 – In this chapter, Satan incited David to do a census of Israel. Yeah I know in 2 Samuel 24 it’s says GOD incited David. What does that mean? Not quite sure but my take is that God allowed it. I know that. But beyond that, not quite sure. But, what it’s NOT is a contradiction because it’s all God’s word. Yo, my mind hurt’s now. Ok, I regress.
Anyway, what really stuck out at me from this passage is that God was mad at David for taking the census. So God gives David a choice of punishments. Some from men and some from God. In verse 13 David chooses the punishment from GOD. He basically said that he would rather fall into the hands of a merciful, yet angry, God than into the hands of man. Can you imagine the TRUST in God and wisdom that David demonstrated by this choice? It’s mind boggling. Which punishment would you choose? Which shows more trust in God?
At one point, David sees this giant angel with his sword drawn to demolish Jerusalem. David says to God that the people are just sheep. David reminds God that DAVID made the mistake. God relents. Think about the faith that David demonstrated.
3) 1 Chronicles 28:19 – “All this,” David said, “I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan.” – God gave David the details AND understanding of the plan to build the temple. I know sometimes we must move before we know everything. We would hardly ever get going if we waited on every detail. But, how often do we seek the details AND understanding of the plans God gives us. Contemplate that for a bit…
4) 1 Chronicles 29:28 – He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.- What struck me here was the word “enjoyed.” David didn’t just have those things, he ENJOYED them. 1 Timothy 6:17 says “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” God wants us to ENJOY our lives, ENJOY our wealth, and ENJOY all of the things he gives us. We can only enjoy things if we keep them in the right perspective… it ALL belongs to HIM and it’s ALL on LOAN from HIM. If we have that perspective, the pressure is OFF. We can just enjoy what He gives us. What do you enjoy? Why does it honor God to enjoy what we have? Do you enjoy your stuff or does it control and consume you? What’s your perspective on your life and your stuff?
Your thoughts?