pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: palace


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God as the Center

Readings: 1st Chronicles 13, 1st Chronicles 14, 1st Chronicles 15, 1st Chronicles 16

1st Chronicles 14:16-17 – “David followed God’s orders exactly… David’s fame spread… the LORD made all the nations fear him.”

Today’s four chapters focus on David’s efforts to establish Jerusalem as the center of worship in Israel. This effort in chapter 13 begins with his first attempt to move the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. It seems and feels like a good idea, so off they go! Part way tragedy strikes and the ark is left there with Oded-edom.

King Hiram of Tyre then builds David a palace and David marries more secondary wives, which leads to more children. The Philistines test David’s kingship twice. Both times David seeks God’s direction. Both times Israel is victorious. In verses 16 and 16 we read, “David followed God’s orders exactly… David’s fame spread… the LORD made all the nations fear him.”

This same approach guides David’s second attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem. He prepares a place for the ark to reside. David appoints the proper Levites to their proper roles. All is done according to what is written in the instruction scroll of Moses. With great joy and celebration, the ark enters Jerusalem. David dances joyfully, but Michal, his wife, loses all respect for him. She thinks this is not how Kings should act. Sacrifices are offered and gifts are given, all in celebration, thanksgiving, and worship. David’s prayer reflects these three things.

In chapter 16 we find David continuing to follow God’s instructions. Priests are assigned and instructed to carry out the daily requirements of the Law – both before the ark and at the tabernacle in Gibeon. David returns home to bless his house. He has led well, moving to establish God as the center of his life and of the nation Israel.

Prayer: Lord God, today we see the outcomes of choices to follow your will and way. When David is faithful and obedient, you are present and you offer the right way to go. By the power and presence of your Holy Spirit, lead us to seek and to listen to your voice. Guide us to walk faithfully and obediently in the ways that you reveal. Strengthen us to live with you at the center of our lives. Amen.


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A Temple and a Palace

Readings: 1st Kings 5, 1st Kings 6, 1st Kings 7, 1st Kings 8

1st Kings 8:58 – “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

In today’s chapters the temple and Solomon’s palace are constructed. The King of Tyre, Hiram, reiterates the promise he made to David. Solomon and Hiram make an agreement. Solomon will receive wood and Hiram will receive wheat and oil. A huge work force is called up. The temple is 90′ by 30′ and is 45′ tall. It is beautiful and ornate and much is covered in gold. After 7 years, the temple is built. Hiram comes and makes items for the outer area: pillars, a huge tank, stands, washbasins… – all of bronze. For the inside items are made of gold: altar, table, lampstands…

Solomon is also building his palace. It will be 150′ by 75′ and is 45′ tall. It is much larger than the temple but is also much less ornate… It takes 13 years to finish the palace. As this is ongoing, the temple is dedicated. The ark of the covenant is brought into the Holy of Holies. God’s glory fills the temple. Solomon offers a long and beautiful prayer. He begins by acknowledging that there is no god like the one God. He acknowledges the covenant and God’s loyalty. He calls for the temple to be the center of worship and the focus of their faith. Whether famine or plague or sin or enemy invasion or exile, he calls on the people to look to the temple, to repent, to pray to God, and to turn their hearts fully to God. Solomon asks God to listen to their prayers and to do what is right. He closes and then offers an invitation: “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

Extravagant sacrifices are made to dedicate the temple and courtyard. This is followed by a great celebration that lasts 14 days. The people are dismissed. They bless the king and head to their tents happy and pleased. It is a good day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the picture painted today – a king and a people focused on doing something for your glory. Thank you for the example of a people with hearts turned fully towards you. Lead us to walk in these ways. Amen.


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Truly Grateful

Readings: 2nd Samuel 5, 2nd Samuel 6, 2nd Samuel 7

2nd Samuel 7:16 – “Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.”

The rest of Israel comes to David at Hebron and makes the king of Judah the king over all Israel. They recognize that God has declared David to be the one to “shepherd my people.” David makes a covenant with them and they anoint him king. In his first move as king, David captures Jerusalem. In an action that works like a treaty or peace offering, the king of Tyre sends supplies and laborers to build a palace for David.

The Philistines gather and God gives them into David’s hands. They regather and come against David again. And again God has a plan, which David follows exactly, and victory belongs to Israel. David then decides to bring the chest of the Lord to Jerusalem. Along the way Uzzah touches the chest and dies on the spot. This scares David and the chest is left there in Obed-edom’s house. His house is blessed by the presence of the chest. After three months the journey resumes. The chest enters Jerusalem with great celebration. Michal is displeased with how David danced before the Lord with all his might. He says to her, “I may humiliate myself even more” before the Lord.

David, sitting in his palace, realizes that God’s chest is still dwelling in a tent. He thinks God needs a house. But, through Nathan, he learns that his son will build the temple. God then turns the tables, telling David that God will build him a house – a dynasty. Through Nathan, God tells David, “Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.” Our reading closes with a beautiful prayer to God. David is truly grateful for all that God has done and for all that God promises to do. May it be so for us as well!

Prayer: Lord God, your plans are always good. You lead and guide us when we are obedient and faithful to you. Guide our steps too, blessing us with your presence every day. Amen.


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His Plan

Reading: 2nd Samuel 7: 1-14a

Verse 2: “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent”.

Photo credit: Erik Van Dijk

As King David has time to reflect – God has settled him in the palace and has given him “rest from all his enemies” – he thinks of his home and God’s home. David lives in a beautiful palace of cedar and God Almighty lives in a tent. This strikes David as wrong. Consulting with Nathan the prophet a decision is made to build God a proper home. Then, in the night, God says, ‘Hold on a minute’.

Have you ever been down this road? Have you ever thought you’d do something nice for God – without asking God? God speaks to Nathan in a vision and he relays it to David. God basically says, ‘When did I ask for a house’? The short answer is ‘never’. God then turns the tables, reminding David that God is in charge. He’s the one who took David from shepherd to king, from pasture to palace.

When have you felt like doing something for God because God has blessed you or because you were comfortable? Or… when have you thought you should do something for God because you felt guilty about the above? It is a fine line, isn’t it?

I think David’s heart was in the right place. Realizing all that God had done for him, he wanted to express his thanks. We find ourselves here too. Sometimes we will be moved by the Spirit to offer an act of kindness or some other expression of gratitude. If not and we feel as David did, let us begin with prayer, seeking the will of God. It will then be according to his plan, not ours. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, keep me closely connected to you. Whisper to me through the Holy Spirit, respond to bended knee. Lead and guide me to do your will. Amen.


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Pray, Listen

Reading: 2nd Samuel 7: 1-11 and 16

Verse 2: “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent”.

At this point in his story, David is at a good place. He has conquered all of his enemies. He has established Jerusalem as the capital. He has a beautiful home made of expensive wood. Life is good. David calls in his advisor, the prophet Nathan, and says to him, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent”. Nathan thinks it a splendid idea to build God a big fancy home. But before David can even begin to line up all the workers and start gathering up all the materials, God reigns him in.

God begins with a question. He asks David, “Are you the one”? God reminds them that he has not had a house, well, ever. God once had a garden… But God has never once even asked for a house. A house is, after all, a human construct. God is perfectly content with a tent. It is adequate. It is simple. It is humble. In this season, it reminds me of the manger.

David does something here in today’s passage that I can do too. I can set my plans out before God’s plans. This happens one of two times and both are equally dangerous. Like with David, when things are going well, I can strike off with my own grand idea for ministry or service. On the other end of the spectrum, when things are going really bad, I can try quick fixes, much like firing darts at the dartboard while blindfolded. In both cases I fail to do what David failed to do: pray. Include God at the planning and thinking stages instead of at the point that the ship is sinking. Too often our plans can be formed and executed without God’s help and guidance. Usually these end with God reigning me back in, with me learning another hard lesson. Step one: pray.

As I read and pondered this passage this morning, at first I thought, ‘If only I had a Nathan’, one sent by God to guide me, to help me, to lead me, to walk with me. And then I realized that I do. The Holy Spirit is my personal connection to God. Thinking back on my hard lessons, I can see when I ignored the quiet whisper, when I shoved back against the gentle nudge. Step two is to listen, to hear.

To pray and to listen are two key steps on our walk of faith. Both align us and keep us in tune with God. May all we do and say and think begin with these two steps: pray and listen. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this reminder today. In my too frequent battles with pride and wanting to be in control, reminders of your ways are always needed. Thank you for the reminder today. Amen.