July 19
1 Chron 28:1-29:30 | PS 15:1-5 | Prov 19:18-19 | Rom 5:6-21
Anne Graham Lotz said, "Have you ever thought of going to church as a divine appointment? Have you ever thought of Bible study as a divine appointment? That Jesus is patiently, personally waiting to meet you there? What a difference it would make in our attitude of expectancy and our habit of consistency if we truly wrapped our hearts around the knowledge that each is a divine appointment; that Jesus Himself is meeting to meet with us." When I reflect back on my years B.C, (before Christ) I often highlight my acts of rebellion, those actions which were clearly contrary to God's holy law and His plan for my life. But in reality my greatest sin was my utter godlessness. It's not that I purposely defied Him, I didn't even consider Him in my day to day life. The God of the Universe, the One who fashioned me in my mother's womb, the one who personally walked alongside me, I didn't give a second thought about. May we never minimize the magnitude of our sinfulness and more importantly the magnitude of what Jesus did to bring us salvation. We read in Romans 5:6-8, "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners... But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." We fail to acknowledge the truth behind Romans 5:10, "For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son." Our main problem was that we were not ambivalent, we were God's enemies, and by the selfless act of His Son, Jesus, we have entered into a relationship and have become His friend.
Consider this as we read King David pass the baton of leadership to his son, Solomon, as he focuses on that which is most important in 1 Chronicles 28:9, "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." Our job is to consume ourselves with the things of God, to seek Him with all of our heart. When we do this we can move forward boldly, as David continued in 28:20, "Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."
Perhaps we spend too much time ignoring Him, and when we do acknowledge Him often it is to request things from Him. Perhaps we approach Him too functionally, too religiously, more of an act of "doing the right thing" rather than seeking Him, knowing that He alone deserves everything. Perhaps we have too often lost giving the adoration which He so richly deserves as we see David do so unashamedly before the whole assembly in 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, "“O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength." I was truly blind, but now I see. God, please instill in me a sense of expectancy, a desperation as I come before You. Please stir my heart that I approach You daily not knowing what exactly You will choose to do for me and through me, but all along trusting that You are indeed with me. It is all about relationship, may we never forget that our relationship with the Lord is our most important relationship and from which all others flow.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: