Why it Matters - Chosen

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalms 68

I recently added a new bookcase to my office. It required me to re-arrange everything. I removed a couch. Took down some pictures and hung up others. Changed the location of the chair where I sit most mornings as I spend time with the Lord. As I did so, a couple of thoughts hit me. First, I haven’t done a thorough cleaning in years. The build up of dust and dead moths underneath my furniture was embarrassing. In fact, things were so bad several of our office staff took a field trip down the hall to see it and take pictures! Second, my life should be a lot different than it is. Looking at my degree from college reminded me of the self-destructive path I was on when Christ first chose to save me. Looking at my degree from graduate school reminded me of how undeserved I was when God chose to send me to Princeton. Looking at my ordination certificate reminded me of how God chooses to use the unqualified and foolish things of this world for His glorious purposes. Looking at the signatures on my doctoral degree reminded me of how blessed I’ve been by the godly mentors God chose to bring into my life who took an interest in me long before I showed any promise. The fundamental reality of my life is I’ve been chosen. Chosen not for who I am or what I’ve done but simply by an act of God’s amazing grace.

The story of the Bible is the story of God choosing the most unlikely people through whom to accomplish His will. He chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He chose Moses and Joshua. He chose Deborah, Gideon, Samuel, and the rest of the Judges. None of them deserved it. None of them did anything to earn it. God simply set His heart on them. King David understood what it meant to be chosen. Listen to how he describes it. “The Lord God of Israel chose me out of my father’s entire family to become king over Israel and have a permanent dynasty. Indeed, he chose Judah as leader, and my father’s family within Judah, and then he picked me out from among my father’s sons and made me king over all Israel.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭4‬ ‭NET‬‬) Notice how David takes no credit for all that has happened? He knows it is all from the Lord. Furthermore, He sees the same sovereign choice at work in Solomon’s life. “From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel. He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day.’” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NET‬) David was a shepherd boy when God chose to send him against Goliath. Solomon was one of many sons God could have chosen and yet he would be the one through whom God would build His Temple.

So what is the human creature’s response to God’s elective purposes? We obey. We obey not out of coercion or obligation or shame but out of gratitude and thanksgiving. God is the potter. We are the clay. What can the clay say to the hands that shape it or make it? What can the creature say to the Creator? There is nothing we can say or do or think or give that would ever be enough to earn God’s favor. He simply gives it freely and generously to all who would receive it. Thanks be to God!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Legacy

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 23-26

“When David was old and approaching the end of his life, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.” (1 Chronicles 23:1 NET) When we reach this point in David’s life each year in our Bible reading, my thoughts always turn to legacy. Succession. Passing leadership on to the next generation. David made sure to set his son up for success. He did all he could to get things organized. He organized the Levites and priests. He made sure their rotations were set by lot so that no one could accuse him of playing favorites and there would be no rivalries to plague his son after he was gone. He left no stone unturned. No detail was too small for him to address. Everything from the sacred bread to the sacred precincts to the sacred items were all taken care of. Every role carefully assigned. Every job carefully laid out. He will do the same with the army and royal officials in the next few chapters. It’s a testimony to how leaders should let go.

Legacy. It’s something all of us will leave. To our children. To our grandchildren. To those we work with. To those we serve. For many years, I’ve served my denomination as the chair of the Ministerial Committee of our presbytery and a member of our national Ministerial Vocation Committee. In those positions, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside several pastors as they made the transition into retirement. It wasn’t always easy. Some of those transitions were smooth. Some were rocky. Some were planned. Some were unplanned. Some felt affirmed on their way out. Others felt pushed out by the people they loved. My biggest takeaway? We either plan for the day when we will no longer be around or someone else will plan it for us.  

David made plans. A complete reorganization from top to bottom of the entire leadership structure of a nation. Imagine would might have happened had David left this to Solomon to figure out? Imagine the infighting. The jockeying for position. The currying for favor. Imagine the chaos that might have resulted as the sons of Eleazar fought with the sons of Ithamar for the power of the priesthood. Imagine the sons of Levi, set free from their obligations to carry and care for the Tabernacle, refusing to care for the sacred elements of the Lord. Imagine the gatekeepers and musicians each deciding to do their own thing. Solomon would have had a mess on his hands for sure! 

But David was faithful. He knew a significant part of his role was to finish well. To pass on a strong legacy to his son. Not just for Solomon’s sake but for the sake of Israel as a nation. Because of my experience walking alongside so many pastors, my wife and I talk a lot about our legacy. By the grace of God, I hope I have many years left but I also know they will pass quickly. How am I preparing to pass on what has been entrusted to me? Should the Lord tarry and give me a rich and full life on this earth, I might have fifteen to twenty good years of pastoring left. What will those years look like? How will I spend them? When will I know it is time to raise up my successor? How can I set them up for success? My children are leaving home and headed off in all kinds of directions. What kind of spiritual legacy have I given them? How have I prepared them to take on the roles and responsibilities of an adult? My dad has passed and my mom is getting older. Am I prepared to care for her? Assist her? Make sure she continues to live a rich and full and vital life alongside her grandkids? These are important questions to ask and ponder and pray over no matter what season of life you find yourself in.  

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145

Why it Matters - Numbers

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 30

I am blessed to lead a growing church. We are filling up our worship space on Sunday mornings. Our kids programming is bursting at the seems. Our student ministry is growing. Our ten year trends are up significantly. Our people are incredibly generous. We are engaged in all kinds of Kingdom work locally and globally. We also live in a community that is growing. We are getting younger as more families move into our area. We are getting more affluent as people build successful businesses and careers. We are getting more diverse ethnically and culturally. It’s amazing to be part of. But it’s also tempting. It’s tempting to place our hope in numbers. It’s tempting to place our confidence in our growth curve. It’s tempting to assume our trend lines will always be up and to the right. That’s why it’s good for me to remember the sin of David’s census.

David was tempted by Satan to measure his own strength. This is why he called for a census of the military men in his kingdom. He foolishly believed his power depended on the numbers he could call on. This is what happens when we forget the Lord. When we start to become complacent. When we lose sight of all God has done for us and try to preserve our own position and power. David’s kingship is coming apart on him. He’s allowing his anxiety and fears to get the best of him. The civil war with his son. The rebellion of men like Sheba. His rape of Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. I imagine these things haunted David so he does what many of us do when we give into fear. He looks for comfort. He looks for control. So he counts the number of men under his command with the hope it will help him feel more secure. Tragically, it has the opposite effect. A plague strikes, killing thousands. The lesson is clear. David is not in control. David has no power except that which God grants him. David’s only comfort must come from the Lord.

How do you respond when you feel under pressure? When you feel stress? Anxiety? Fear? Do you look to your own strength or do you look to Christ? Do you trust in your own ability to power through or do you humble yourself before God? Do you turn to temporary things to help you feel in control or do you keep your eyes fixed on what is eternal and unchanging? Times of testing reveal where our hope truly lies. Does it lie with the Lord?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 108-109

Why it Matters - Repentance

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51

Repentance is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. It is the key to maintaining a right relationship with God. God isn’t interested in religion. He isn’t interested in us performing a bunch of rituals if our hearts are not in it. He doesn’t want us going through the motions. As David sings after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” (Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of promises to God. Promises to be faithful. Promises to obey Him. Promises to make great sacrifices to honor Him. Sometimes I deliver on those promises, sometimes I do not. Sometimes I am faithful, sometimes I am not. Sometimes I do make great sacrifices but not always for God. I am a sinner. I am saved by grace alone through faith alone by Christ alone. And the Holy Spirit has to continually remind me that the sacrifices God desires must from me are not outward expressions of piety so much as inward humility of the heart. God wants me to live my life in a constant state of repentance. Not to make me miserable but to set me free. Not to take all the joy and fun out of life but to help me learn what it means to walk by faith and not by sight and depend on God alone.

David learned this lesson the hard way. Rather than fulfilling his duty to lead his armies in battle, he stayed home. Rather than remain faithful, he committed adultery. Rather than confess his sin, he murdered one of his mighty men and closest followers. It’s a brutal cycle. One that is tragically all too common. But God will not be mocked. He sees what David attempts to cover up and He sends Nathan to confront him. David repents but his choices still result in significant consequences. The death of a child. The disruption of a kingdom. Eventual civil war.

To whom much is given, much is expected. The more power and position and influence and authority a person is given, the more their choices impact those around them. David was a king so his choices impact a nation. The same holds true for our national, state, and local leaders today. I am a pastor so my choices impact the church I serve. I am a husband and a father and my choices impact my wife and children. What choices are you making? What impact are they having? What sacrifices are you offering to the Lord?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

Why it Matters - Suspicion

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

Human beings tend to be naturally suspicious. Especially those who have been hurt before. It is hard to earn trust and when it is lost, it is almost impossible to regain. There is an old Nigerian proverb that says, “Any animal that escapes from a trap will be suspicious of every bent stick.” This rings true to me especially in our culture today. The rise of social media has led to an exponential increase in bullying and abusive behavior. The hurt and pain so many suffer online bleeds over into everyday relationships. It creates a posture where we assume the worst rather than the best of each other. We question each other’s motives and/or character rather than offer trust. We are quick to pounce on mistakes rather than extend grace. The result is a toxic emotional system which perpetuates pain and suffering on a local, national, even global scale.

There is nothing new under the sun. In our reading for today, King David reaches out to King Hanun of the Ammonites to offer his condolences after his father dies. Sadly, Hanun is deeply insecure and perceives a threat where there is none. In an effort of self-protection, he shames David’s messengers and sends them back home. This represents a significant act of aggression in the Ancient Near East so David goes to war. He defeats the Ammonites in a major battle that costs the lives of thousands of soldiers. All because one man reacted with suspicion to a compassionate gesture.

In one of my favorite all time passages, the Apostle Paul writes, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) Those who are in Christ are set free from a life of suspicion. We are set free from a life of caution and distrust. We are set free from the burden of being guarded and self-protective. We are set free to love. Love unconditionally. Love generously. Love sacrificially just as Jesus did. And as the Apostle John so famously said, “Perfect love casts out all fear.” So let me challenge you to set aside any and all of your suspicions. Step into the freedom Christ won for you on the cross. Step into the freedom Christ offers you through His Spirit. Embrace the way of love and watch how it changes your relationships with those you love and the world around you.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

Why it Matters - Hyperbole

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

One of the challenges in reading the Old Testament is the use of hyperbole. This was a common rhetorical device among Ancient Near East writers especially when it came to reporting on military encounters. For the Biblical authors, the purpose was the magnify the glory of God and the overwhelming nature of His victories. This was especially true when Israel won victories against much stronger enemies. Additionally, round numbers were often used to signify the “completeness” of a victory. You see similar “epic” rhetoric used by the Egyptian Pharaohs or the Assyrian kings.

Take today’s reading for example. The author of 2 Samuel writes that David put two thirds of the Moabites to death after a battle, seized 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantry, and killed 22,000 Arameans. He then writes about another battle in the Valley of Salt where David defeats 18,000 more Arameans. The author of 1 Chronicles comes up with some different numbers in David’s battle with the king of Zobah - 1,000 chariots and 7,000 charioteers rather than 1,700. Is this a contradiction? Not if we are reading from an Ancient Near East point of view. The point was not to provide accurate data for a census but to magnify the successes of King David against the enemies of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

One of the key questions to ask as you read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is what did it mean to the people it was written to. The Bible was written for us but it wasn’t originally written to us. It was written to a particular people in a particular culture who saw life through a particular worldview. This is essential for us to keep in mind lest we lose sight of the true meaning of the text or fall into the trap of anachronism. I see this happen all the time. People projecting our cultural values and ways of seeing the world back onto the text of Scripture. It never works out well and it fails to treat the Bible as a serious conversation partner when it comes to faith.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

Why it Matters - Credit

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1, 2, 33, 127, 133

I love today’s reading. It’s one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. David, a man after God’s own heart, looks around at his beautiful palace and the first thing he thinks about is the disparity between his house and God’s house. God lives in a tent so how can David live in a house of cedar? What does it say about David that he would live in a palace while God still has no permanent place to place His glory? So David begins to plan. He intends to build God a magnificent Temple. But this is not God’s will for David. God refuses to allow David to take any credit for what has taken place in his life. It is God who raised David up from the pasture. God who took a shepherd boy and made him king. God who defeated all David’s enemies. God who made his name famous in the region. It is God who will continue to give David success as he sits on throne and it will be God who will guarantee his dynasty for eternity.

What is David’s response? Does he argue with God? Does he point out all the work he’s put in over the course of his life? Does he seek to take credit for any of his accomplishments? Not at all. David humbles himself before the Lord. He falls on his knees in worship and praises God for all He has done. “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that should have brought me to this point?” (2 Samuel 7:18 NET) As David reflects on all that has happened in his life, he immediately turns to praise. He gives God all the glory. He gives God all the credit.

Who gets the credit for your life? It’s a very important question. Especially for a Christian. Do I claim all the credit for myself or do I give glory to God? When I look back on my life, do I attribute all I’ve accomplished to my own hard work or do I thank God for the grace He has given me? When I consider all I have experienced, do I consider it the natural result of my own effort or can I see God’s hand at work, carefully orchestrating things according to His sovereign will? The fundamental reality is this…I didn’t choose where I would be born. I didn’t choose my family. I didn’t choose my gifts and talents and abilities. God gave me all of those things. He blessed me in more ways than I could possibly imagine and it is what has allowed me to achieve whatever success I have achieved in my life. What about you?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

Why it Matters - Holiness

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Holiness seems to be a forgotten concept in our culture. Even in many of our churches. We have become so familiar with Jesus that it has bread contempt. Contempt for His Word. Contempt for His ways. Contempt for His Law. We’ve settled for cheap grace. Easy believism. We falsely assume that a relationship with Jesus comes with no expectations. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus is clear. Those who love Him obey His commandments. Those who follow Him deny themselves. Those who become His disciples pick up a cross. There is a cost to discipleship. Not because we have to earn anything. Not because we have to prove ourselves to anyone. Not because we have to work to earn God’s favor. But simply because God is holy. And because God is holy, we must be holy. And holiness requires us to submit our will and our way to God.

David learned this the hard way. He falsely assumed he could worship God any way he wanted as long as it was sincere. The people of God were so excited to bring the ark of the covenant back home but in their fervor, they did not seek the Lord. They did not honor God’s commands when it came to worship. God had clearly prescribed a precise way to handle the ark. It was to be carried by the Levites. It was to be accompanied by musicians. Sacrifices were to be made. It was a sacred procession. Tragically, David’s first attempt to bring the ark home didn’t follow God’s prescribed commands so when Uzzah, himself a Levite and someone who should have known better, reaches out his hand to steady the ark to keep it from falling, he is struck down. Even though he was well-intentioned, he violated God’s command not to touch the holy items directly. It’s a sober reminder even for us today.

When we gather for worship, are we gathering in accordance with God’s will and God’s way? Unfortunately, a lot of churches have turned inward and focus more on their own preferences when it comes to worship. Still others focus on entertainment and self-help. Still others focus on the needs of the people rather than honoring a holy God. No church is perfect, of course. I won’t pretend the church I serve has it “right.” But the primary question that guides our worship is not “how do the people feel or respond” but does it honor God.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47

Why it Matters - Unity

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133

A fundamental principle of the Christian faith is that we are never, ever alone. First and foremost, God is with us. He promises to come and dwell with us when we give our lives to Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He indwells our hearts and abides with us forever. This is why it’s so important to spend time with God every day and gather for worship with His people every week. We need the constant reminder that He is Emmanuel, God with us. Second, God surrounds us with His people. People from all walks of life who share a common commitment to the Lord. They pray for us. They encourage us. They support us. They hold us accountable. Men and women of deep faith who do life alongside us. We build these relationships in small groups, Bible studies, and through mentoring. We connect deeply with one another as we share openly and honestly and vulnerably and transparently. This is how God designed the Christian life to work and as we follow Him faithfully, our circle of relationships grows. It’s beautiful.

This is what David experienced as well. First and foremost, the Bible says God was with David. “David’s power grew steadily, for the Lord God who commands armies was with him.” (1 Samuel 5:10 NET) The source of David’s success was the Lord. He did not win his battles by himself. He did not accomplish all the great things he accomplished on his own. God was with him to strengthen and empower him along the way. Second, God surrounded David with godly men. Mighty men. Men of valor who would have his back and fight by his side. “These were the leaders of David’s warriors who helped establish and stabilize his rule over all Israel, in accordance with the Lord’s Word.” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NET) The author of Chronicles goes on to list the names of these men and even provides some of the detail as to their accomplishments. The sacrifices these men made for David are extraordinary. These men were eventually joined by thousands of others as God brought unity to His people under David’s godly leadership.

God blesses the unity of His people. I have seen it with my own eyes. All it takes to make it happen is one person who commits to walk with the Lord. As we commit our way to Him, He will surround us with godly men and women who share the same heart and desire. And as that group of people grows, great things will be accomplished for God’s Kingdom. This is how it has always been and always will be. What role do you play in bringing God’s people together?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Why it Matters - Despair

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 6, Psalms 36, 39, 77-78

I recently spoke to a person who is really struggling with despair. Their life has not been easy. They’re battling addiction. They suffer from an anxiety disorder. They take medication for depression. They don’t make healthy choices. They seem to make the same mistakes over and over again. They have seasons where it looks like they are making progress but then they have a string of bad luck and things feel worse than before. It’s heartbreaking. And yet, all is not lost. One of the things I often encourage them to do is to reflect back over the course of their life and remember the blessings God has given them. Write them down in a gratitude journal of some kind. Take time every day to thank God for even small things like a warm home and food on their table and a family that loves them.

Our world is full of pain and suffering. Evil is all around us. Life is expensive and hard. Violence and hatred on the rise. Social media and cable news dumps all kinds of gasoline on this raging inferno. And in the face of everything we see and experience on a daily basis, it is easy to give into despair. The same was true for the Psalmist. Listen again to his words. “I said, “I tried to make sense of what was happening. I asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never again show me his favor? Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought that the sovereign One might become inactive.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭6‬b-‭10‬ ‭NET‬‬) Ever felt that way? Ever tried to make sense of what was happening in your life or in the world around us and wondered if God had abandoned you? Wondered if He had finally had enough and rejected you? Wondered if His patience had run out and His promises come to an end? I think all of us know what this feels like on some level. So how did the Psalmist handle his despair? He remembered. He reflected back on all God had done for Israel over the centuries. He recounted all of God’s mighty deeds. And it led him to praise and thanksgiving and gratitude once again. “I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!” O God, your deeds are extraordinary! What god can compare to our great God? You are the God who does amazing things; you have revealed your strength among the nations.” (Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Spiritual reflection is an important spiritual discipline. Thinking back over the course of our lives on all God has done. Remembering His goodness to us and to our family and to those we love. Even connecting to the wider story of all God has done for His people throughout history can bring us a sense of hope in the midst of our depression and despair. Whatever you may be facing today. Whatever pressures you may be under. Whatever anxieties and fears you may feel. Take some time to remember God’s faithfulness. God’s goodness. God’s steadfast love. You are not alone in what you are experiencing. God is with you.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - God’s Plan

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalms 43-44

Biblical genealogies are not the easiest to untangle. There are a lot of names. Some are connected to the family tree. Their importance is obvious. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Others don’t appear connected in any way and seemingly pop up out of nowhere. Seir and the Horites. The kings of Edom. Caleb’s many wives and children. It gets confusing and it’s hard to keep everything straight. So what’s the point of reading these chapters? What value do they add to the believer’s life? If every Word of Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for correction, rebuke, and training in righteousness, what purpose do these chapters serve? I’m glad you asked.

1 Chronicles 1-2 offers the careful reader several important insights. First, it connects us to humanity’s origin story. It reminds us we all share a common ancestor. A man made in the image of God who was given dominion over all He had made. We are not just the product of random chance or natural selection. We have dignity and value and worth given to us by God Himself. Second, it connects us to God’s covenant family. The family through whom salvation will come to the world. The family God promised He would use to bless the nations. The family to whom God made an unbreakable, unshakeable promise. This means we are not orphans in this world. We have an identity. We are children of God, adopted into His family, chosen by grace. Third, it connects us to a holy nation. The nation of Israel. We’ve been grafted in according to God’s sovereign plan. Once we were not a people, now we are part of God’s people. Fourth, it connects us to the royal tribe of Judah. The tribe from which the Messiah will one day come. In Jesus, God fulfills His promise to never let the scepter depart from Judah. Finally, it connects us to the royal line of David. God fulfilling His promise to David that he would always have a descendent to sit on his throne. All of this is running in background as we read these names. It’s a snapshot of God’s salvation plan in action.

There are so many moments in life where I need the comforting reminder of God’s salvation plan. I need to remember He is at work. Even when I cannot see Him. Even when I cannot feel Him. Even when I cannot touch Him or perceive Him. God is at work in every generation. In every tribe and tongue and nation. He is at work in human history. He holds the past, present, and future in His hands. Whenever I feel discouraged or down or anxious or afraid, I try to remember the saints who have gone before me and their faith in the One who holds all things together.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87