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Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
March 27-April 1, 2023
Enter the Presence of the Lord
(Based on selection of Psalm 62; 98)
(All) Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
(M)Truly my soul finds rest in God;
(W) Yes, my soul finds rest in God.
(M) My salvation comes from him.
(W) My hope comes from him.
(All) He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
(M) Power belongs to you, God,
(W) With you, Lord, is unfailing love;
(All) Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music.
Confession
O. Lord, life has pushed me to the low. Often, in the moments like such, I tend to feel discouraged, disappointed, and depressed. O, your words remind me that I need to turn my eyes and hearts, minds to you. My stability, hope and rest are from you. You intend to treat me with your power and unfailing love. That is who you are. Thanks, O Lord, your thoughts are precious to me. Amen.
Adoration
Scripture Reading
1 Chronicles 1:1-4; 2:1, 9: 1-3; 29:26-28
1:1-4 Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.
2:1 These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 4 The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
9:1-3 All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. The People in Jerusalem 2 Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants. 3 Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were:
29:26-28 David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. 27 He ruled over Israel forty years—seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.
Thoughts to share: What to do with my past?
Chronicles implies history. History means boring to many people. There is a book of 1Kings already. Why do we again see this 1 Chronicles? It is true that the 1 Chronicles seemly repeats the same story of 1 Kings. But when we dive in, there are obvious differences. First, there are 10 chapters to describe the genealogy of twelve tribes. we are taken back to the very first human Adams. Then there are 19 chapters to describe the reign of David King. Then there are 8 chapters to describe the preparation of the temple during the years of David King. We can see that genealogy, the King David, and the preparation for the new Temple form the three blocks of entire book.
Biblical scholars tell that the book was probably written by the Judah’s returned exiles after almost 50 years of away from homeland. Those returned people faced a new stage of life. They were in joy, in expectation, and in anxiety. To rebuild a new life, they would need to trace back their past. They would include a part of reflection of the past into their new plan to the future. In remember of their past, they recalled where they were from, whom they belonged to, what the glories they had been proud of, what heritages they had cherished. What sins they did? How did they experience God’s grace and mercy? In other words, they tried to make peace with their past. They attempted to find out the sense of “self” collectively. They pondered the purpose of their returning to the homeland. They hope to solidify their foundation to step out for a future. So, the 1 Chronicles is a book of reflection and examination on the past of the Israelites by the Israelites.
Have you ever wondered if God is interested in your personal life story? Seeing through the 1 Chronicles, we can say yes. The book provides important counsel for those who are searching for who we are and what to do with our existence today. Like those Judah people retold and reflected their own stories, we can take our own life stories and reflect them with God. We can ask some questions such as: Where did I come from? Who did I belong to? What glorious pride did I have? What focus did I have in my past? What regrets did I have? What mercy and grace had I experienced?
As we think about these questions, we can notice: any special feelings in me? any special meaning to me? What is revealed about my own true motivation and prejudices, values and beliefs? We can invite the Holy Spirit, the word of God with us. In the dialogues between my story and God’s story, we enter the presence of God. We listen to the word of God. We stay quiet. We meditate and ponder the word of God and our life stories. Gradually, we can see some focuses and areas emerging for us to rejoice, to regret, to weep, to learn, to grow, to adjust, to change, and to get healed. We can lay our past in peace with ourselves and with God. We can move forward with new revelation and convictions for our lives. This is God’s way to renew us.
Prayer suggestions
As Psalm 139 suggested, God saw us from our day 1 when our bodies were unformed yet. He knows our past, present, and future. Have you ever stopped for moment to reflect just a piece of your life years? Have you ever known that God is willing to spend time with you in such a work? Do you know that he desires to put a new song in you and write your new life stories?
O. Lord, you know me. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. In the name of your son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
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