Today's Devotions

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Leaning on His Spirit: Francis Chan +

    Are we really listening to God, or just the words we want God to tell us? Francis Chan, former lead Read More
  • Crazy Love: a book by Francis Chan +

    This is the introduction to Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Don  Carsonhttp://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/1-chronicles/29.html

http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/2-peter/3.html

http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/micah/6.html

http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/luke/15.html

1 Chronicles 29; 2 Peter 3; Micah 6; Luke 15

THE CHRONICLER'S ACCOUNT OF David's death is preceded by the story of the wealthy gifts that would finance temple construction after David's demise and the prayer David offered in this connection (1 Chron. 29).

It is not so much the quantity of money given by David and the others that is striking, as the theology of David's prayer. The highlights include the following points:

(1) In the opening doxology (1 Chron. 29:10–13), David acknowledges that everything is God's (1 Chron. 29:11). If we human beings "own" anything, we must frankly confess, "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things" (1 Chron. 29:12). Hence in the body of the prayer, David says, "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand" (1 Chron. 29:14); again, as for all this wealth that is being collected, "it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you" (1 Chron. 29:16). Such a stance utterly destroys any notion of us "giving" something to God in any absolute terms. It becomes a pleasure to give to God, not only because we love him, but because we happily recognize that all we "own" is his anyway.

(2) Small wonder, then, that the prayer begins with exuberant expressions of praise (1 Chron. 29:10).

(3) David recognizes that all human existence is transient. God himself is to be praised "from everlasting to everlasting" (1 Chron. 29:10), but as for us, "we are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope" (1 Chron. 29:15). This passage is extraordinary. The Israelites are in the Promised Land, at "rest"; yet, as in Psalm 95 and Hebrews 3:6–4:11; 11:13, this cannot be the ultimate rest, for they are still "aliens and strangers." David is king, the head of a powerful and enduring dynasty. Individually, however, monarch and peasant alike must confess that their "days on earth are like a shadow" (1 Chron. 29:15). Here is a man of faith who knows he must be grounded in the One who inhabits eternity, or else he amounts to nothing.

(4) David lays formidable stress on integrity: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.... And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you" (1 Chron. 29:17). The success of this fundraising is not measured in monetary value, but in the integrity with which the wealth was given.

(5) In the final analysis, David frankly recognizes that continued devotion and integrity of life are impossible apart from the intervening grace of God (1 Chron. 29:18). Thus any possibility of personal hubris based on the amount of money donated is dissolved in grateful recognition of God's gracious sovereignty.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/loveofgod/2013/12/01/1-chronicles-29-2-peter-3-micah-6-luke-15/

Reflections to Consider

  • 1

Publications

  • 1

Music

  • 1

Audio & Video

  • 1

Favorites

  • Falling in Love With God +

    “falling in love with God,” as Boa’s subtitle for the facet explains. In this approach we attempt to enter into Read More
  • An Infallible Assurance: John Donne +

    Our God is not out of breath, because he hath blown one tempest, and swallowed a Navy: Our God hath Read More
  • At the Feet of Jesus: We Fall Down +

    Chris Tomlin We fall down and lay our crowns At the feet of Jesus The greatness of Your Mercy and Read More
  • I am Not a Robot, I am a Unicorn: Learning How to Communicate in a Fallen World +

      Read More
  • 1

Hidden Blessings

  • The other Lord's Prayer by Michael Reeves +

    Mike Reeves discusses  the love of Jesus for us in the way he prays  to the Father, reflecting on his Read More
  • Enjoying Christ Constantly by Mike Reeves +

    Exceptional discussion of how the Song of Songs Read More
  • The Significance of the Trinity Underpinning the Great Doctrines of the Reformation - Michael Reeves +

    Can we ever afford to be vague about the nature and identity of our God? Read More
  • Worship, The Trinity, Music by Michael Reeves +

    Michael Reeves speaking to the worship leaders Read More
  • 1