Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord REJOICE - 1 Chron. 16:10

Much of the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles give history and geneology for this period, but there is some very rich material regarding King David and his reign.  One of his first tasks, after being crowned, was to restore the ark of the covenant to its rightful place of honor, and it was no small task.  David and his people identified this as a place of God's presence and they were eager to be in fellowship with Him there in a proper place.  There was cause for great thanksgiving and celebration when the journey was complete.  Read Chapters 13-15 for all the details!

Chapter 16 is a beautiful song of praise to the Lord for His provision and His presence.  When we give thanksgiving to the Lord, our joy is contagious.  I love Psalm 51:10-13 - another of David's writings.  But this time it was after a great moral failure and he was contrite before the Lord.  He still understood that only by seeking the Lord with his heart, could he "teach transgressors" the ways of God.  Who we are before the people around us determines our witness.  Our hearts are revealed by our actions.  Do we rejoice or grumble?  Do we gossip or hold confidences?  Are we content or striving for more?  Do we sacrifice or fill our barns fuller?

Will Bowen tells this story in his book A COMPLAINT-FREE WORLD:

A man drove past a tattered sign on the side of the road that said

"HONK IF YOU'RE HAPPY".  On a whim,  after ignoring the

sign several times, he decided to honk.  Oddly enough for a moment after

he felt lifted a bit...and every time then he would honk - actually

feeling better just thinking about it.  One day he stopped at the

farmhouse close by to see if there was a story behind the sign.

Sure enough, the farmer explained his wife had a terminal illness

and he wanted people to not take life for granted.  His wife

began to hear the honking horns and it was like medicine to her.

She heard the horns and knew she wasn't alone in the world.

 

 

What will my "honk" say about me today?  Will it encourage or will it tear down?  Will I be seeking the Lord with my heart, or will I have a worldly list of things to accomplish?  I'm grateful to know David wasn't a perfect man, but his heart sought the Lord and his rejoicing proved it!

 

For further study: Deu. 4:29, Psalm 118:24, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 61:10, Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 6:33, Luke 6:45, 2 Cor. 8:2, Phil. 4:4.

 

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

 

Love,

Hollly