Rhymes for These Times – Inspired by 1 Chronicles 21

The study of 1 Chronicles 21 has inspired two poems. The first is titled “Faith Connection” at this link. It is about how faith connects us to the source of everything good where God is. The second is titled “Atonement” at this link. Our healer today for sin is Christ; the acceptable atonement.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Acceptable Atonement

Reflecting on yesterday’s post and reading of 1 Chronicles 21:14-30, David was near death. A plague was sweeping through the land but David was willing to die for his people and God shows mercy. Our healer today for sin is Christ; the acceptable atonement. May this video give a lift for your day: The Hurt and the Healer – MercyMe? God Bless! 🙂

There are things we can learn from history that will help in making decisions. The problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that God provides sure signs of a brighter future.

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sure Signs

David was proud of the number of his people and began to trust his own powers rather than the unlimited powers of God. As recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:14-30, God was not happy; sending an angel to make the numbers smaller with a plague on Israel that killed 70 thousand fighting men. As the angel was destroying Israel, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and told the angel to stop.

David’s prayer to the Lord gives a glimpse of the shepherd’s heart. He was willing to give his own life for his sheep; willing to die in place of them. David was required to build an altar to the Lord and sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he called on the Lord who then shows David that he is forgiven by sending fire from heaven. Fire sent from heaven is a sign of God’s acceptance. In Hebrews there is the mention that Christ was made sin and it pleased the Lord that through him God might be to us, not a consuming fire, but a reconciled Father.

After reflecting upon today’s passage and knowing that going the way of God is best, the question that comes to mind is what areas of my life do I need to be humble and trust God? There is definitely a lesson to be learned in how David handled the situation. He had discipline and did what God told him to do. Because David honored God and humbled himself, the angel sent to destroy Jerusalem was told to stop.

It’s fine to celebrate success if you give God the credit. Nothing happens by accident and things are so complex that no one person should take credit for accomplishments. All solutions to any problems have an answer. The answer for Christians is Christ.

This day with God, I’m praying for those that lead me and for God’s help in leading others. That I do not seek greatness as the world defines greatness but how God defines it. That I know the path, follow it, and praise Him for every step taken on that path.

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Connection to the Source

One of the associate Pastors at my church said that faith comes from high on a mountaintop where God is but connects to the lowest valley sometimes where we are. It’s our core convictions revealed by our daily actions that are our life line; connecting us to the source of everything good where God is. This day with God, let us do as the title of this song suggest: Walk By Faith – Jeremy Camp

 


The invisible and intangible are so powerful. We can’t see air yet our life depends on it. We can’t see faith yet it can help us through anything and is the key to life eternal.

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In God We Trust

David began to trust in his own powers rather than trusting in God. God was displeased with David in 1 Chronicles 20:1-21:13 as he counted his fighting men. He was proud of his own accomplishments rather than appreciating that it was God’s assistance that gave him victory over enemies. As punishment, David had to make a choice of three years of famine, three months of being swept away before his enemies, with their swords overtaking him, or three days of the sword of the Lord – days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:12). David took three days of the sword of the Lord.

David had faith that God would have compassion for him. He couldn’t trust the things of this world but he could trust God in everything because He’s at work even when we can’t see it. His hands can hold us during worry or doubt. 

I read a story once about a young boy fishing with his dad near a bridge. A car lost control and hit the boy going 50 mph. The impact propelled the boy 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and into the middle of a mud puddle. Amazingly, the boy not only survived but was able to explain how. He said Jesus caught him in his arms and laid him down in the mud puddle.

It’s hard to understand how many things work; how electricity works or how medical procedures make people well. There are people specialized in certain fields that can explain better than I can. All I know is that amazing things still happen in our world and they are beyond explanation.

Check out this video of a man who falls 47 floors and survives: GodVine Video. 

Do you have an amazing story? If so share it now or contemplate who to share it with. Each day with God is an amazing day because we can go to Him in prayer and He answers with a miracle. Then we can share with others and ask the question, “Can You Believe It?”

Posted in 1 Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments