Sunday – April 18th
Good morning SunRise Daily Scripture blog readers. I am calling an audible on this Sunday morning by taking a one-day break from our exploration of the book of Colossians. As many of you know, Beth and I are once again reading through the Bible for 2021 by means of the Daily Walk Bible. Right now we are in the beginnings of 1 Chronicles. The introductory page for the reading is way powerful, challenging, and geared to discipleship growth. I wanted to share that with you as your blog reading for today.
Because Chronicles is written from the perspective of a priest and not a palace dweller, the Temple and Temple worship are central themes in the chronicler’s work. Thus, David’s efforts to return the Ark of the Covenant to its rightful place— an event that is more briefly mentioned in 2 Samuel— consumes three entire chapters in today’s reading. With right motives but wrong methods, David learns that God’s will done in something other than God’s way is not God’s will. When at last the Ark is installed in Jerusalem, there is cause for national rejoicing, for God’s presence is in the midst of his people.
“It must be okay. After all, I’m doing it for God.” That statement reflects a common misconception about what it means to serve God. But does the end justify the means in serving God? David had a godly ambition. He wanted to return the Ark to its rightful place in Jerusalem. But in his zeal, he paid no attention to God’s law regarding how the Ark was to be carried (Numbers 4: 15). Instead, he substituted a convenient way for the obedient way, and the result was Uzzah’s death. Sincerity in serving God is important, but it is possible to be sincerely wrong. Select an area of service that you participate in weekly. Then answer this question: what does the Bible say about how I should do this? Motives and methods— both are important in God’s service.*
I hope these two paragraphs will be as meaningful to you as they were to me. Tomorrow we will resume our study from Colossians 1.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Monday – April 19th – Colossians 1:23
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 21167-21172). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Good morning SunRise Daily Scripture blog readers. I am calling an audible on this Sunday morning by taking a one-day break from our exploration of the book of Colossians. As many of you know, Beth and I are once again reading through the Bible for 2021 by means of the Daily Walk Bible. Right now we are in the beginnings of 1 Chronicles. The introductory page for the reading is way powerful, challenging, and geared to discipleship growth. I wanted to share that with you as your blog reading for today.
Because Chronicles is written from the perspective of a priest and not a palace dweller, the Temple and Temple worship are central themes in the chronicler’s work. Thus, David’s efforts to return the Ark of the Covenant to its rightful place— an event that is more briefly mentioned in 2 Samuel— consumes three entire chapters in today’s reading. With right motives but wrong methods, David learns that God’s will done in something other than God’s way is not God’s will. When at last the Ark is installed in Jerusalem, there is cause for national rejoicing, for God’s presence is in the midst of his people.
“It must be okay. After all, I’m doing it for God.” That statement reflects a common misconception about what it means to serve God. But does the end justify the means in serving God? David had a godly ambition. He wanted to return the Ark to its rightful place in Jerusalem. But in his zeal, he paid no attention to God’s law regarding how the Ark was to be carried (Numbers 4: 15). Instead, he substituted a convenient way for the obedient way, and the result was Uzzah’s death. Sincerity in serving God is important, but it is possible to be sincerely wrong. Select an area of service that you participate in weekly. Then answer this question: what does the Bible say about how I should do this? Motives and methods— both are important in God’s service.*
I hope these two paragraphs will be as meaningful to you as they were to me. Tomorrow we will resume our study from Colossians 1.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Monday – April 19th – Colossians 1:23
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 21167-21172). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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