Message Title: Example To Others
Date: Friday May 20, 2011
Chapters: I Chronicles 27-29
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-20
Details of Today's Reading: The captains for each month, princes of the twelve tribes, David’s several officers, David counsels Israel and Solomon concerning the Temple, David exhorts the people, the princes and people willingly offer, and David’s thanksgiving and prayer.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ...Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing... Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” - II Thessalonians 3:5,9-13,16..

As children of God we represent Jesus Christ, therefore, whether you are a cashier, truck driver, janitor, website designer, housewife, or whatever job you have you are to set the right example for others to follow. A Christian should be the best worker above all others, not to boast about yourself, but to glorify God. While we may not like the job we have, as long as we do the work we are commanded to do in the love of God we will be blessed.

Before King David handed over the reigns to Solomon he appointed captains, officers, and workers over the kingdom. From the groundskeepers to the captains of the guards every person was chosen by David himself.
“Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand...And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:..Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:” - I Chronicles 27:1,25,32.

God calls every one of us to do a specific job for Him and if it takes nearly a lifetime on earth to do it, He will keep on us until we do it. We should all be honored that God has called upon us to do a special task for Him, but many of us, and this can happen to even the strongest Christian, get caught up in circumstances or every day stresses in life that can deafen us from hearing His call. It is times like these when we need to let go of the burdens and let Jesus handle things. Jesus says to all, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.“ - Matthew 11:28-30.

After David appointed everyone of their duties he gathers them all together, the first thing he does is thank and praise God for anointing him as king. David encourages them to put God first, reminding them that the work they are doing is a gift from God and needs to be done with Him in mind.

“Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:.. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever... And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” - I Chronicles 28:4,8,20.

David told them how God had chosen Solomon to build His Temple and that their greatest concern should be to be obedient to all of God's commands. David also stressed to Solomon how important it was to serve God with a perfect heart and complete the job he was given to do. It is important to reverence, thank God, and acknowledge to Him that He is the reason for our success. The richest person in the world is rich because God allowed it to happen. Of course, if they live in the world they will never admit that it was God, but just as God can give the increase He can take it away and quickly too. While one may prosper for a little while without knowing God, it is only a matter of time before that prosperity turns to despair. “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.” - Proverbs 10:2,3.

God knows our hearts and intentions, if we are serving Him wholeheartedly He will always be with us, helping us, and giving us the power and strength to accomplish our work. After David's instructions, he offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in Scripture, a prayer of thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and God's great love.

“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” - I Chronicles 29:9-13.

David's heartfelt prayer is a reminder to all of us that prayer should be a time of praising and worshiping God with thanksgiving for who He is, as well as for what He has given us. As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will praise Him for His provision. When we neglect to praise the Lord daily, our worship often becomes a mere ritual. Every day, under every circumstance, in every thing we need to give thanks to the Lord. It is often through praise and worship, especially through our trying days that God will lift us up and give us the strength to keep going. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the gold offered for the Temple by David from his personal wealth (29:3-5). Gold is the purest metal and represents the preciousness, pureness, and great worth of Christ. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” - I John 3:2,3.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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