Preview On 1 Chronicles (Sep 7)
Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
Job on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart
and 2 Sam on Consequences of sin.
Continuing, the books of 1 & 2 Chron
describe the same period of Jewish
history as 2 Samuel through 2 Kings,
but from a priestly perspective.
After tracing King David’s royal line
back to the beginning, 1 Chronicles
outlines the spiritual significance
of David’s righteous reign, showing
how the nation prospers when
its leaders honour and obey God.
The emphasis is on proper worship
of the one true God – a worship
that David’s life exemplifies.
We will cover 1 Chronicles over two
weekends in following four divisions:
1Chr 1-9: Genealogies of David
1Chr10-16:David Brings Ark to Jeru
1Chr17-21: God’s Covenant w David
1Chr22-29: David Arranges Temple
Let’s meditate through 1 Chronicles,
and be inspired that genuine worship
will be the center of our lives. Amen.
Herod’s temple captured the
attention of all who passed by.
Commenting on its splendour, the
disciples set the stage for Jesus’
Olivet Discourse. His followers
are urged to watchful expectation
coupled with faithful service; for
despite signs of coming, the return
of Christ will be unannounced.
His coming will bring judgment on
nations & rewards for His followers.
Lord, we’ll Do God’s Assignment:
The master replied: You wicked
and lazy servant!… you should
At Least have put my money
into the bank so I could have
some interest (Mt 25:26-27).
When the Son of Man comes,
He Will Separate the people…
Then the king will say to those
on his right: Take your Inheritance…
For I was sick & you looked after me,
I was in prison & u came to visit me..
Whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters,
you did it for me (Matt 25:31-40).
Go and make disciples… teaching
them to obey everything I have
commanded u (Mt 28:19-20). Amen
Lord, it’s easy to look at others and
think that I have Nothing to offer.
But You have blessed me with gifts
and talents that the world needs.
Help me to plant my talents and
look for opportunities to sow seeds
of kindness. Thank You for helping
those seeds to grow and flourish.
And thank You for reaping a good
harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, Your holy word has shown
us what Really Matters to You:
caring for the sick, visiting immates
and doing these things in Your name.
Help us feed daily on Your Word
and then go to live our life of faith.
Grant us the grace to do so for
it is the Spirit of Christ in us
that touches the disadvantaged
and that reveals the truth. Amen.
Lord, there is no doubt about
the task You had left for us to do.
We will rise up to Your challenge
to Share the good news and
Make Disciples for your kingdom.
Help us step out of comfort zone
to find people who need to know U.
Help us witness to the people You
hv placed in our sphere of influence.
Help us to be concerned for the lost
in attitudes, words and deeds. And
we expect great things from You as
we attempt great things for U. Amen
Matthew records many crucial
incidents from Jesus’ life in Mt 16-19.
Though Christ takes time to heal
an epileptic boy, pay His temple tax
and confront hostile Pharisees, His
primary concern is for His disciples,
who will continue the work He began
Healings and discourses, miracles
and parables, all focus on Jesus’
faithful followers to prepare them
for the difficult days just ahead.
Lord, we aspire Humility & Grace
The disciples asked Jesus:
Who then is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? Jesus said:
Whoever takes the Lowly position of
this child is the greatest (Mt 18:1-4)
Then Peter asked: Lord, how many
times shall I forgive my brother when
he sins against me? Up to 7 times?
Jesus answered: I tell you, not seven
times, but 70 times seven (v21-22).
When king heard about it, he said to
the man whose debt he had forgiven:
Shouldn’t you Have Mercy on your
servant just as I had on you (v32-33)
Lord, You promise that those who
are humble will be the greatest
in Your kingdom. Help us to be
gentle & lowly in heart as You are.
Help us to be humble like a child
with a sincere and trusting heart
as well as depend wholly on You.
And I pray that my humble faith
and service to You will accomplish
great things for Your kingdom. Amen
Lord, You’ve forgiven me so many
times out of Your tender mercies.
Each time I falter, You lift me up &
put me in right standing with You.
So Lord, when I Owe Forgiveness,
remind me of the times You have
forgiven me. Help me be gracious
to each person who wrongs or
offends me. And help me walk
in Forgiveness daily because
daily You readily forgive me. Amen.
Lord, grateful for Your Mercy for
couldn’t have been saved otherwise.
For You saved us not because
of righteous things we had done
but totally because of Your Mercy.
And because You God Is Merciful,
we too really need to Be Merciful.
Help me extend mercy to others,
even when they don’t deserve it.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
A turning point in Matthew’s gospel
occurs in chap 12 where mounting
antagonism by the Jewish religious
leaders erupts into open denunciatn
of Jesus. Because of their hard-
hearted rejection, Jesus begins
to speak to them in parables and
explained only to the disciples.
After a rude reception in His home
town of Nazareth, Jesus withdraws
across the Sea of Galilee to the
regions of Tyre and Sidon in order
to escape growing opposition.
Lord, we’ll Respond to Your Word:
(Jesus said): You are permitted
to understand the secrets of
the Kingdom of Heaven, but
others are not (Matthew 13:11).
That is why I use these parables,
for they look, but they don’t really
see. They hear, but they don’t
really listen or understand (v13).
The hearts of these people are
hardened & their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes –
so their eyes cannot see, and
their ears cannot hear, and
their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me and
let me heal them (Matt 13:15).
Lord, help me to be a true seeker
to hear from the personal God.
Help me to have an open mind,
ever ready to listen to You and
to believe Your Word of truth.
Give me the heart that can hear
Your mysteries, understand them
and internalise Your eternal truths.
And Help me root out any attitude
that might block my hearing. Amen.
Lord, help me not to have attitude
of a skeptic that tries to find fault
and thus don’t have ears to hear.
Lord, You don’t want me to turn off
my brain. But neither do You want
me to reject any word from You
that doesn’t fit my logic of things.
I give You Lord the permission
to blow my mind with the things
You want to tell me. Amen & amen.
Lord, where my heart hardened at
times, tell me I have turned You out.
It’s difficult to recognise hardness
in myself, and so I need to know.
Soften me up, where there’s any
areas of insensitivity in my life.
Draw me close; get my attention
and hold it. Heighten my spiritual
senses Lord to pick up even the
slightest whisper from You. Amen.
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the king of the Jews. And Matthew
5 to 7 traditionally called the
Sermon on the Mount, essentially
presents His statement of heaven.
Relationship to God (rather than
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not outward action)
become the focus of His message.
Lord, we Lift Up Our Needs to You:
Do not worry saying: What shall
we eat…or What shall we wear?
For the pagans run after these
things and Your Heavenly Father
Knows that You Need them. But
Seek First the Kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well.
Therefore Do Not Worry about
tomorrow (Matt 6:31-34). Amen
Lord, You are all-knowing and
therefore You Know all our needs.
Praise You for Knowing everything
about us and every detail of our
situation; for nothing surprises U.
For Your Word says You Know
Our Needs and Will Provide them.
And so we can live peacefully and
cheerfully each day when we keep
Your kingdom as key concern. Amen
Lord, Thanks for caring so much
and being so good to us. Help us
to always Seek You First, trust
Your gracious promise and keep
from worrying about the future.
Give me Lord the right perspective
and not worry over issues beyond
my control. Help me to see the
difference between needs & wants.
And do transform my life. Amen.
Lord, You promise and advise us
Not To Worry about basic needs
for You will provide them. Grateful
I don’t have to be consumed with
worry; but I can be consumed with
You and Your kingdom. For No need
enters my life for which You have
already provided. I choose to Keep
Anxiety from cluttering my heart and
instead let it be filled with You. Amen
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the King of the Jews. And you
will read in Matt 5-7 the Sermon
of the Mount, where He presents
His statement of heaven (Mt 5:3,10)
Relationship to God (not simply
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not merely outward action)
become focus of Christ’s message
for a lifestyle of righteousness.
Lord, we purpose Be Salt & Light:
You are the Salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness,
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out…
You are the Light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl. Instead
they put it on its stand & it gives
light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven (Mt 5:13-16)
But I say: Love your enemies!… In
that way, You will be acting as true
children of your Father in heaven…
Be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect (Mt 5:43-45,48)
Dear Almighty God, You sent
Jesus to save us from our sins;
give us eternal & abundant life;
and to be our Master and King.
Your standards are lofty; but in
deep gratitude of what You had
done, we your people purpose
to Live a Kingdom Lifestyle by
Adopting Kingdom Perspectives,
Be Salt of earth, Light of world
and Aspire to Be Perfect. Amen.
Lord it’s an awesome responsibility
to reflect Your image & Your glory
to the world; but it’s an awesome
privilege too. Give us opportunities
to do so & help us reflect You well.
Lord, lead us to what You’re doing
& use us to bear fruit in Your world.
Help us live in such a way as to
preserve biblical values and let
our light shine for Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying
on the cross for us so that we
can be reconciled to the Father.
Fill my heart with understanding
for people who are negative of me.
Help me to pray for these people
and not badmouth or curse them.
I can do this only as I look to You
as my example. And Lord, grant
me grace to be perfect for apart
from You, I can do nothing. Amen
Today’s reading is an appendix to
the main body of 2 Samuel covering
a series of wars with the Philistines,
a psalm of deliverance and praise,
a list of David’s mighty men of valor,
a sinful census and the severe
punishment that followed. The
closing of the book portrays David
worshipping the Lord in humility.
Lord, all scripture is profitable
for instruction in righteousness;
including the struggles of David.
Help us be weary of sinning and
do the right thing in challenges.
Help us have Robust Faith in You.
Help us be Tender to Confess Sin.
And we Bless Your Lovely Name
for You Ultimately Restore Us. Amen
Lord, we will Bless & Worship You:
Then David spoke… the words of
this song on the day when the Lord
had delivered him from the hand
of all his enemies and from Saul…
The Lord is my rock, my fortress &
my deliverer; the God of my strength
in whom I will trust (2 Sam 22:1-3)
Blessed be the Rock of my salvation.
He delivers me and lifts me up above
those who rise against me (v47-48)
Lord, I may enter each day with the
intention to trust in Yr great power.
Yet when the winds blow and the
waves rise, I may forget to look
at You. And forgive me each time
I have not sought refuge in You.
As my rock & my salvation, be my
stability when things are not stable.
Help me focus on U my solid rock!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Lord, we have Robust Faith in You:
These are the names of the mighty
men whom David had: Josheb-
Basshebeth… called Adino because
he had killed 800 men at one time.
After him was Eleazar one of 3 men
with David who defied the Philistines
and the men of Israel had retreated.
He arose & attacked the Philistines
until so weary and his hand stuck to
the sword…After him was Shammah.
The Philistines had gathered where
was a piece of ground full of lentils.
So the people fled. But he stationed
himself in the middle of the field,
defended it and killed the Philistines.
So the LORD brought about a
great victory (2 Samuel 23:8-12).
Lord, we are inspired by the mighty
men of David with robust faith in You.
Help us be like Adino who was
prepared to face overwhelming odds
Help us be like Eleazar who was
prepared to face extreme fatigue.
Help us be like Shammah who was
prepared to Do Humble assignment.
For we have Almighty & Faithful God
fighting the battle with us. Amen.
Lord, we will Confess of our sin:
David was conscience-stricken
after he had counted the fighting
men and he said to the Lord:
I have sinned greatly in what
I’ve done. Now O Lord, I beg You
take away the guilt of Your servant.
I have done a very foolish thing…
Then the king said to Araunah:
No, but I will buy it for a price;
nor will I offer burnt offering to
the Lord my God with that which
cost me nothing. So David bought
the threshing floor & the oxen for
50 shekels of silver (2S24:10, 24)
Lord, I pray You show me any sin
in my life so that I can Confess it.
For I don’t want guilt in conscience
to dilute my walk with You or inhibit
my prayers because I am ashamed
to come before You in confidence.
Help me to always have a repentant
heart before You so that I will be
quick to turn away from sin. Amen.
Today’s reading describes the
fulfilment of Nathan’s prophetic
judgment on David. While his own
transgression was done in secret,
the shame & murder within his own
family circle would be done before
all Israel. But the greatest headache
would be the rebellious attempt by
Absalom to usurp his father’s throne.
David’s faith in God never diminish,
though severely tested. Driven from
Jerusalem and disgraced by his son,
David is restored eventually, though
at heavy personal and national cost.
Lord, all scripture is profitable
for instruction in righteousness;
including obscure passages related
to the judgment on King David.
Help us Lord to do the right thing
in difficult & challenging situations.
Help us to entrust our future to You.
Help us to be Guided by Your Law.
Help us to Think Before Doing. Amen
Lord, we entrust our future to You:
A messenger came and told David:
The hearts of the men of Israel are
with Absalom. Then David said to
all his officials… Come! We must
flee, or none of us will escape from
Absalom… They set down the ark of
God and Abiathar offered sacrifices..
Then the king said to Zadok: Take
the ark of God back into the city.
If I find favour in the Lord’s eyes,
He will bring me back and let me
see it… again. But if He says: I am
not pleased with you… let Him do
to me whatever seems good to Him
(2 Samuel 15:13-14, 24-26). Amen.
Lord, let us follow the example of
David when life’s broken & dreams
shattered, he still worshipped You.
Help us when the future is uncertain
to entrust ourselves to Your hands.
Help us to depend solely on You for
deliverance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, we will Be Guided by Your Law:
(Absalom) got up every morning
and went out to the gate of the city.
When people brought a case to the
king for judgment, Absalom would
ask where in Israel they were from,
and they would tell him their tribe.
Then Absalom would say: You’ve
really got a strong case here! It’s
too bad the king doesn’t have any-
one to hear it. I wish I were the judge.
Absalom did this with everyone
who came to the king for judgment,
and so he stole the hearts of all
the people of Israel (2 Sam 15:2-6).
For a short time, most of Israel was
supporting the rebel ruler Absalom.
Soon however the people wanted
David back as their king (19:8-10).
Lord, there is much pressure to
conform to the world. Rather than
trying to be popular, guide our life
Lord by the moral principles given
in God’s Word. For You never change
know what is best for us. Amen.
Lord, we will Think Before Doing:
And the king gave this command
to Joab, Abishai and Ittai: For my
sake, deal gently with Absalom.
And all the troops heard the king
give this order to his commanders…
During the battle,Absalom happened
to come upon some of David’s men.
He tried to escape on his mule,
but as he ride beneath the thick
branches of a great tree, his hair
got caught in the tree. His mule kept
going and left him dangling in the air.
One of David’s men saw what
had happened and told Joab…
Then (Joab) took three daggers and
plunged them into Absalom’s heart
as he dangled still alive (2S18:5-14).
Lord, those who do evil often do
not take the time to consider what
they are about to do; for they don’t
care whether it is right or lawful.
Lord Help us don’t rush into action
without thinking through. Help us
consider whether what we are
about to do us right or wrong. Amen
Writing at perhaps the lowest
point in the spiritual life of Judah,
Zephaniah’ primary concern is
the impending Day of the Lord.
That day would signify the final
judgment of God on earth and the
ensuing time of blessing & peace.
Zephaniah knows when judgment
is finally over, God will once again
look with favour on His people;
Restore their fortunes, Rejoice
over them and dwell among them.
Lord, You are Mighty to Save:
In that day… do not fear; Zion,
let Not your hands be weak.
The Lord your God is With you,
He is Mighty To Save.
He will Take Great Delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will Rejoice over you with
singing (Zep 3:17-18). Amen.
Lord, I have peace and joy in
knowing You are always With me
and have the Power To Save me
from harm, plans of the enemy
and You can move the mountain!
Help me to remember at all times,
even when going through difficult
situations that my foundation is
in You and my security is sustained
by Your Great Love for me. Amen.
Lord, we may struggle with secret
fear that You God doesn’t like us.
We fear that U disapprove of us &
our stubborn commitment to sin.
We may even feel that You God
has deserted us in our difficulties.
Thanks for your promise in Zep 3
that helps us put such fears to rest.
The reality is that You take great
delight in us with gladness.
In fact Your promise is not only
to rescue and restore us but also
to rejoice over us with songs. Amen
Lord, I’m blessed You Delight in me,
even after rebuking me for wrongs.
Thank You Sovereign God for being
indeed a loving Heavenly Father
rather than a stern disciplinarian.
Thank You that You much prefer
to rejoice with us than to rebuke us.
Thank you You love me so much
that You would sing over me.
In adoration and thanksgiving,
I offer You my heart unreservedly &
say how much I appreciate U. Amen
Habakkuk prophecies in Judah
before its final overthrow by
Babylonia. Honestly concerned
with how God could chasten Judah
by means of a nation even more
sinful than itself, Habakkuk deals
with some perplexing questions:
Why is a just God silent? Why do
the pleas of the faithful seem to
go unheard? The reply comes
in the statement of a timeless
principle of God’s sovereignty:
God will deal in His way and in
His time. Meanwhile righteous
people must continue to trust God.
Lord, You are Our Strength:
For The vision is yet for an
appointed time; but at the end
it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
it will surely come… The just
shall live by his faith (Hab 2:3-4).
Even though the olive crop fails
and the fields lie empty & barren;
even though the flocks die in the
fields & the cattle barns are empty,
yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of
my salvation (Hab 3:17-18).
The Sovereign Lord is My Strength;
He makes my feet like the feet
of a deer, He enables me to tread
in the heights (Hab 3:19). Amen.
Lord, help me to have the faith
and understanding I need to keep
praying and not give up if my
prayers aren’t answered right away.
I know Your ways are perfect. But
help me not become discouraged
in the time of waiting for Your help.
But rather to continue praying until
I see Your will done in all the things
You put in my heart to pray about.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, we have heard all about You
and we are filled with awe by the
amazing things You have done.
In our time of deep need, begin
again to help us as You did in years
gone by. Show us Your power to
save us. No matter what happens
we purpose to Rejoice in You.
for You are our strength.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Oh Sovereign Lord, we need You.
Our strength is limited; but
Your strength is endless.
Fill us and empower us;
enable us to do all that
You have called us to do.
May the same Spirit that raised
Jesus from the dead give us life
and strength to make thro all the
dark winters we are facing and
bear much fruit in Your time. Amen
