Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

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1 Chronicles Chapter 29 (ESV)

10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. David contrasted eternal unchanging nature of God versus the flying away life of human. Nothing can last forever except God’s unchanging character. The things that we are most proud of will be vanished before God one day. What else we could rely on? Only a loving relationship with God has eternal value. His love never ends. No one can take away His love for us. Reflect “Our days on the earth are like a shadow …” (15). How will I use my time? How will I walk my life journey in order to have eternal value?
2. The meaning of “a whole heart” (19) is to be wholly holy to the Lord. This is David’s hope for Solomon – desire to serve God more than anything else. Do you feel that you lack a desire for God? Difficult to obey God and follow His will? God can give you a heart of complete dedication. When you believe in Jesus Christ, this aspiration is already in your heart. Paul said, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13). Do I want to ask God for a whole heart so that I can serve Him faithfully and follow His commandments?

 

PRAYER:

Ask God to examine you and give you a good conscience and a sincere faith so that God will accept your service. Ask God to give you wisdom to manage your time well so that God can use your life effectively for eternal value.

 

HYMN:

The Heart Of Worship – youtu.be/0XsB0ltXmRs?si=-nARhPJ3Sp1qu-en

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 28 (ESV)

9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” …

20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 And behold the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. God searches all hearts and nothing can be hidden from Him. He understands our plans and knows our thoughts. God taught David a serious lesson by sending Nathan to expose David’s crime in adultery and murder (cf. 2 Sam 12). David told Solomon to be totally honest and loyal to God. It is foolish to hide our heart and mind from the omniscience God. On the other hand, we should be joyful and not afraid because He still loves us even though He knows the worst about us. Reflect: what are you hiding from God today? We cannot hide from God even if we want to. If there are such things, let us repent to God with sadness and regret.
2. David encouraged Solomon not to be scared of the tremendous task of being a king and building the temple. Fear will stop us from going forward. The scale of a task, danger and pressure will make us over-cautious. This text gives us a recipe for removing our fear and that is not to focus on it but to start working courageously because God is with us and will not forsake us. Reflect how we could accomplish the tasks assigned by God today? Is your courage originated from your own ability and talent, or from the trust that God will not forsake you?

 

PRAYER:

Ask God to pity your weakness, forgive your rebelliousness, and declare you innocent from hidden faults. God will not forsake you. Ask God to give you a heart of power and love and self-control so that you will bear your mission courageously by focusing on God’s sovereignty, glory, and faithfulness.

 

HYMN:

Open Hands – youtu.be/AABE–YR1No?si=hDmX6DCXHJXM9Czz

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 27 (ESV)

25 Over the king’s treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29 Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31 All these were stewards of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

 

REFLECTION:

1. 1 Chronicles Ch. 23-26 recorded David’s religious organization and Chapter 27 is a list of David’s political personnel. Here is a description of David’s government structure: the first section is the senior officials in charge of forestry and livestock (vv. 25-31); the next section is the courtier and the bureaucrats who assisted King David in ruling and administration (vv. 32-34). The Davidic Dynasty was firm and had important influence in the Middle East of its time. One of the reasons is the presence of God, while the other reason was a robust organization that strength cooperation and division of roles and responsibilities.
2. God’s presence and grace are very important but our church has to break away from individualism and disagreement if we want to witness to the world today. We need to unite and exert our influence in order to change the world. Reflect how God’s power can work among the church congregation to generate a greater power for sharing the gospel.

 

PRAYER:

Pray for unity in the church to have a clear direction, a robust organization, and an effective operation. Ask God to raise up more fervent brothers and sisters in the church who will support and cooperate with each other in order to build up the house of God.

 

HYMN:

One Voice – youtu.be/Ecr1NTfN_wk?si=NFPbY0aMwM7lmRhd

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 26 (ESV)

4 And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him. 6 Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom.

 

REFLECTION:

1. God blessed Obed-edom, and multiplied their descendants and gave them power and talent. Throughout human history, we saw that there was different status to people’s descendants. Some were being respected while others were mistreated and deceived. The consistently unchanged view in the Bible is that children are a blessing of God, and are a heritage from the Lord (ref Ps 127:3-5, Mk 10:13-15). God never says that children are a burden to the parents.
2. Today do you consider your children a blessing of God? Reflect that at times of financial difficulties or in families with troubled children, how do you see your children as a blessing of God?

 

PRAYER:

Give thanks to God for you children. See them as a blessing of God no matter if the current condition is satisfactory or not, or if your family situation is stable or facing adversary. May God’s abundant grace manifests in our weakness and poverty.

 

HYMN:

You Raise Me Up – www.youtube.com/watch?v=oni0tO_HN30

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 25 (ESV)

1 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

 

REFLECTION:

1. There were different approaches in worshipping God in the tabernacle. Some spoke prophecies and sang songs (25:1), some expressed thanksgiving and praises (25:3), and some played musical instruments (25:6-7), God demands all His people to worship Him. You may not be a musician nor a prophet but God accepts all that you could offer to Him.
2. Reflect whether you have fully utilized your gifts in serving God in the church. Are you an active worshipper or passive observer in the church worship?

 

PRAYER:

No matter how much or little your gift and talent is, pray that God will use it to serve other brothers and sisters in the church. Pray that God will use you through your obedience, give you the courage to bear responsibilities and the strength to victory.

 

HYMN:

Morning By Morning – youtu.be/-WXi3lGYA6E?si=G4gdj7f_-YrSrvo8

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 24 (ESV)

3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar…

19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

 

REFLECTION:

1. There were 16 heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, double that of eight of the sons of Ithamar. There were 3 reasons: (1) Eleazar’s two brothers, Nadab and Abihu, were burnt to death when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (c.f. Lev 10). Eleazar inherited the birthright of the first born. This birthright included double portion of inheritance from his father. (2) His descendants were more than the descendants of Ithamar. (3) His descendants had more leadership talent.
2. There were 24 divisions of priests organized according to the appointed duties in their service. Each division served for two weeks in the temple in a year, and the rest of the time they served in their hometown. This system was extended until the time of Jesus (ref Lk 1:5-9). Zechariah was of the division of Abijah. When he was serving in the temple, an angel revealed to him and prophesied that he will have a son and that was John the Baptist. From this we know that the service in the temple has precise organization. Such organization would not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit but provided the condition for worship systematically.
3. Sometimes we consider strategy and organization to be unspiritual acts and could hinder the spontaneous worship. On the contrary, the precise program and organization could allow our free response to God. Reflect on our church worship today how the systematic preparation could help us experience unconstrained joy and glorify God in our worship.

 

PRAYER:

Pray to God about our church worship and ask God to give the worshippers more passion and wisdom. Help our church worship to be more organized and allow the worshippers to experience God’s presence and heavenly joy.

 

HYMN:

House Of The Lord – youtu.be/IqfV0zeEvT8?si=LrHKkclzWdZE3Kvd

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 23 (ESV)

25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 29 Their duty was also to assist with the showbread, the flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering, the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity or size. 30 And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31 and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. 32 Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.

 

REFLECTION:

1. The priests and the Levites had different responsibilities in the temple and its surrounding. The priests had the right to offer sacrifice while the Levites were assigned to assist the priests. Responsibilities of the Levites included serving in the house of the Lord, cleansing all that was holy, house-keeping, praising the Lord, moving, repairing and keeping charge of the tent, etc. Both the priests and the Levites came from the tribe of Levi but the priests have to be the descendants of Aaron, the first High Priest (c.f. Exod 28:1-3).
2. Both the priests and the Levites shared the tithing from the Israelites and received funding from the cities given to them. If it was not because the priests and the Levites led the religious rituals in unity, the Israelite would not be able to worship God in the temple. Their responsibilities might be different but they were both important roles in God’s plan.
3. No matter what role you play in the church, your service will benefit the congregation. Reflect your role in serving in the church and whether you have done your best. No matter if the task is important or insignificant, will you do it faithfully because it is pleasing to God and beneficial to the congregation?

 

PRAYER:

Pray that God will help you know your gifts and talent, and the role you should play in the church; Ask God to give you a faithful and truthful heart that you are willing to serve God with all your heart and all your strength. May God’s name be glorified and may you be a good witness for God.

 

HYMN:

You Are My All In All – youtu.be/lie1L61Qnos?si=a_D19Q6AwUjOGZNy

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 22 (ESV)

5 For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.

6 Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’

11 “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. 14 With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. 15 You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working 16 gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

 

REFLECTION:

1. God told David forbidding him to build the temple because he had shed too much blood. The task was given to his son Solomon to accomplish. Everyone including kings made mistakes and sinned. If we can be like David being sorrow and regret for his sin, God can still use us to fulfill His good will. God can turn disaster into blessing after we confess our sin.
2. David humbly received the “rejection” from God and he did not envy his son having the glory of building the temple. On the contrary, David actively helped Solomon in preparation for building the temple. Not only did David prepare the materials and workmen for building the temple, he also encouraged Solomon. One day our children will make their own decisions. We should learn from David in helping Solomon and help our children in making the necessary preparation. For example, we should teach our children how to pray and to read the Bible, teach them how to discern right and wrong, and help them understand the importance of serving in church ministries, etc. Reflect how we could prepare the path for our children today and help them understand and fulfill God’s will.

 

PRAYER:

Pray for your children and the children of other brothers and sisters in the church. Ask God to give you more wisdom and love so that you could nurture the next generation. Help them to walk on a righteous and good path so that they may increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

 

HYMN:

In His Time – youtu.be/aJeNUlNY7Iw?si=8xPx-x60M07zmNY4

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 21 (ESV)

1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” 3 But Joab said, “May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” 4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. 6 But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.

7 But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. 8 And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 9 And the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, 10 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’”

 

REFLECTION:

1. David brought major disaster as he numbered Israel because the numbering this time was different from the one recorded in Numbers (cf Num 1-2). At that time God told Moses to do a population census while at this time David’s motive was to boast about his strong military power. When David wanted to clearly master his military power, he started to rely on his own military strength rather than relying on God. It was not unlawful for David to number Israel but his motive was wrong. He was proud of his military power but forgot that the real power is from God. As from David’s example, an action itself may not be wrong but it is a great sin if the motive is out of greed, arrogance, and selfishness. Today we should learn from David’s mistake and reflect on our motive when we are serving in the church.
2. When David knew about his sin, he confessed it and asked for God’s forgiveness. Many people only want to receive God’s blessing but refuse to confess their sins before God. We should be like David, bearing responsibility for our mistakes and repenting of our sin. Only that will bring God’s forgiveness and allow God to continue to work in us. Reflect whether you have some obvious sin that you refuse to confess? How should you learn from David to humbly confess your sin and bear the responsibility?

 

PRAYER:

With courage and humbleness, come before God and confess a sin that you refuse to confess. Ask God to continue to work in you and mold your life, so that you will become more submissive and obedient to God’s will.

 

HYMN:

Lord, I Need You – youtu.be/LuvfMDhTyMA?si=CJ63fZhE1GNjs0Ad

 

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1 Chronicles Chapter 20 (ESV)

1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

 

REFLECTION:

1. When kings went out to battle, David remained in Jerusalem and committed adultery at the time (cf. 2 Sam 11-12). Kings usually went out to battle after the spring harvest because the labour for farming was lessened allowing the soldiers to go to battle. During the winter, they would prepare a strategy for conquering other lands and send out an army when the weather became better. However, David did not follow the army to battle but sent Joab to lead the army. It was at this time of laziness that David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Are you in a state of laziness now? How will you stay alert so that you will not fall into temptation of Satan?
2. You should pay attention to the “spring” of your life which is a time of response to God and a time for going out to battle. You must follow God’s will and take the initiative. In this key moment when Satan will attack us, we must have keen alertness for temptation. How will you walk God’s destined journey steadfastly and fight the good fight for God?

 

PRAYER:  

Ask God to help you to be watchful and sober-minded, and not let you fall into the net of temptation by Satan. Especially ask God to help you to have a clear mind when you are successful knowing that that is also a time of weakness. Ask God to protect you and not let you turn from success to failure.

 

HYMN:

Holy, Holy, Holy – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iK0Miq2xNo