Surprising Conquests of Life

In the Service of the King

(1 Chronicles 18, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, January 28, 2018)

[1] After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.

[2] And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

[3] David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument at the river Euphrates. [4] And David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. [5] And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. [6] Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. [7] And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. [8] And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze. With it Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze.

[9] When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, [10] he sent his son Hadoram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou. And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. [11] These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

[12] And Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. [13] Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

[14] So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. [15] And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; [16] and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and Shavsha was secretary; [17] and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were the chief officials in the service of the king.

The Lord gave victory to David

God promised David in the previous chapter that He would “subdue” all David's “enemies.” When we looked at that passage, we concluded that the Lord's promise was bigger than David or Solomon. God's covenant through a coming “Son” would touch “future generations” in a way that would be remarkable among “the great ones of the earth.” God's “kingdom” would be “established forever” through our Messiah.

Nonetheless, David began to taste the breadth of the Lord's assurance in his own life. He had victory over the Philistines to the west, the Moabites to the east, the Syrians and Zobah-Hamath to the northeast, and the Edomites to the southeast. Each of these other groups had their own gods and religious systems as well as their own civil authorities. Yahweh was victorious over all of them. As the Chronicler puts it, “The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.”

We are also told that these military conquests were useful for the future worship of God. “David took a large amount of bronze. With it Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze.” David captured the spoils of war and received gifts from other neighboring peoples, and “these also King David dedicated to the Lord.”

David reigned over all Israel

Under God Himself, David was the head of Israel, but under David, there were others who had the privilege of serving in his administration. They worked for “justice and equity to all” of Israel according to God's Law.

Three functions are briefly highlighted at the end of 1 Chronicles 18 with more amplification in other chapters of this book. The three that are listed here are the military assembly, the civil governing assembly, and the religious worship assembly. David was over it all, but he had Joab in a leadership role in the “army,” Jehoshaphat as “recorder” for matters of civil order, and Zadok and Ahimelech as “priests.” There were other subordinates that served as assistants in these three areas who were to follow the King's orders in protecting Israel from outside enemies, in maintaining order and peace among Israelites, and in guarding the king and the lawful worship of Jehovah. (Note the structure in 14-17: David, fighters, scribes, priests at the center, scribes, fighters, sons.)

All of those who were listed here and in other places in this book spent their lives in the service of the king as he served God. They were the one nation on earth that the Lord had raised up to be His chosen people. What a responsibility and privilege for the king and his subjects! They were people who testified to heavenly life in a world full of death, and the Lord used them all according to the gifts and duties that He gave them.

God is able to do far beyond anything we could ask for or imagine. Through David the Lord routed foreign powers, maintained decency in civil affairs, and kept the worship of God in order. All of these achievements were great for their day, but we have so much more in the church! Through Jesus, the Almighty has conquered death—all His and our enemies, seen and unseen. He has plans for the administration of a resurrection world of decency and devotion that will bring Him and us great joy. (Note Heb. 11:32-40 as a description of New Testament victories that may seem weak and foolish to the world.)

Through the reigning Jesus, our God has “delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope.” (2 Corinthians 1:10) As Paul wrote to Timothy, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

By faith and prayer, God is pleased to give us a taste of heavenly victory, but only in our connection with our King. In Him we have deliverance, good order, and heavenly praise!

Regarding our deliverance from hostile foes: (missiles, drugs, marital autonomy)

In David's day, Israel's comfort zone was enlarged with their victories over neighboring powers. In a world of death, how can we be safe? Our security is still in God and not in military power, administrative excellence, or even just the right worship. God gives us present temporal achievements as a taste of a greater day, and we are thankful for good news as we look to Jesus, His cross, and His present resurrection aid, not only for our lives and missions now, but for unending ages to come. What a joy to serve the King!

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 41 – Out with malice and in with grace

Gospel Reading—Matthew 11:25-30

[25] At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; [26] yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. [27] All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. [28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God's Bigger Plan

Blessed Forever

(1 Chronicles 17, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, January 21, 2018)

[1] Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” [2] And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

[3] But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, [4] “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. [5] For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. [6] In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ [7] Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, [8] and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. [9] And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, [10] from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. [11] When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. [12] He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. [13] I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, [14] but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” [15] In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

[16] Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? [17] And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God! [18] And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. [19] For your servant's sake, O LORD, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. [20] There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. [21] And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? [22] And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. [23] And now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, [24] and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. [25] For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. [26] And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. [27] Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

The longing of David's heart

The great David had been amazingly blessed by God and it made him uncomfortable. How could it be right for the king to “dwell in a house of cedar” when Yahweh Himself was present with His people above the ark of the covenant “under a tent” that David had set up in order to have a place for this holy object of worship in Jerusalem?

The initial reaction of the prophet Nathan was in accord with David's own inclination. “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” David had sought to honor the Lord and to see Israel further blessed by bringing the ark to his special city. He had also made inspired additions to Levitical worship by expanding the musical acts of devotion at this new center of the worship of Jehovah. According to 1 Chronicles 16:7, On that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.” But was David right in His desire to build a more glorious house for God beyond what the Lord had commanded through Moses?

The Word of the Lord to David

God spoke to the king through Nathan. The Lord had never asked for a building from David or anyone else, and David would not build the temple, although David's son, Solomon, would have that honor. But the Lord would use this occasion to make a promise. God had made David king despite his humble beginnings “following sheep,” and the Lord would bestow upon Him a far greater honor—even beyond the temporal blessings of military victories, fame, and dominion in the Promised Land. The Almighty would “build” David a house—not another palace, but a dynasty that would lead to a descendant who would be an eternal king.

Solomon, the immediate son of David would construct a great place of devotion for Yahweh, but a later Son of David would do far more. “I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.” These verses would be quoted centuries later in Hebrews 1:5, “For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'? Or again, 'I will be to Him a father, and He shall be to me a Son'?” The forever king of an eternal kingdom would be the resurrected Son of David, Jesus.

David's prayer

We did not need to wait until the writing of Hebrews 1 to have an inkling that a most extraordinary promise had been spoken. David himself knew that every blessing he had received from God up to this was small compared to this cosmos-shaking announcement. “You have also spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!” Yet this was not primarily about honoring David that an eternal king would come from David's line. God would rightly honor His own Name.

David's prayer was only this: “And now, O Lord, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as You have spoken, and Your Name will be established and magnified forever.” David was glimpsing at the coming of a descendant who would be at the center of an eternal house of God, a house of people who would worship the Lord. The king may not have comprehended all the details, but he clearly was taking in the magnitude of God's plan in a new way. “You, O Lord, have blessed (the house of Your servant), and it is blessed forever.” For us to miss the weight of this great covenant (Psalm 89:28, 34) would be a serious omission.

God's ways are better than our best spiritual longing. He uses men like Nathan and especially His own Word to reveal a message that should not be ignored. He has a perfect plan for an eternal kingdom, and He will accomplish all His holy will. At the very center of God's eternal purpose is the promised Son of David, Jesus Christ. He will build His church throughout the current age and will bring about the fullness of His kingdom in the age to come.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 40 – I waited patiently for the Lord

Gospel Reading—Matthew 11:20-24

[20] Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. [21] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. [23] And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Journey's End - Our Everlasting God

Worshiping the God who is from everlasting to everlasting

(1 Chronicles 16, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, January 14, 2018)

[1] And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. [2] And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD [3] and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

[4] Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. [5] Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, [6] and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. [7] Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

[8] Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

[9] Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

[10] Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

[11] Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

[12] Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

[13] O offspring of Israel his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

[14] He is the LORD our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

[15] Remember his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

[16] the covenant that he made with Abraham,

his sworn promise to Isaac,

[17] which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,

to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

[18] saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,

as your portion for an inheritance.”

[19] When you were few in number,

of little account, and sojourners in it,

[20] wandering from nation to nation,

from one kingdom to another people,

[21] he allowed no one to oppress them;

he rebuked kings on their account,

[22] saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,

do my prophets no harm!”

[23] Sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

[24] Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

[25] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be feared above all gods.

[26] For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

[27] Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

[28] Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

[29] Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

[30] tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

[31] Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

[32] Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

[33] Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

[34] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

[35] Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation,

and gather and deliver us from among the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

[36] Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

[37] So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required, [38] and also Obed-edom and his sixty-eight brothers, while Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. [39] And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon [40] to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the LORD that he commanded Israel. [41] With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever. [42] Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.

[43] Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.

The king and His people worship

There can be no meaning to the life of Israel as the covenant people without Yahweh. The same can certainly be said about the Christian church. We are a society that was created by God for worship. We are on a journey to Him, and He is leading the way.

Every detail concerning life under David when Israel reached journey's end with the ark safely in Jerusalem has meaning for our life as worshipers of David's God today. Our King, Jesus, leads us forward in life and death to the God for whom we were made. United with the God/Man, we can draw near the Ark of God. We are the tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, for our God who is in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are already marked with the destination that God has prepared for us, for we have the earnest of heaven in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the offering through whom we have peace with God. He is our High Priest and King who gives us a powerful benediction. We are named with His Name and we eat together at His table.

It is our privilege to serve Him as “ministers” who lift up our voices in praise to Him together with those who play their instruments and make a joyful noise to the Lord. We are already participants in heavenly worship, but one day the trumpet will sound and we will see Him as He is. And we will be so thankful forever.

The God of their song

Why do we sing? We are people who believe in God. Who is the God of Israel's song?

He is the God who invites and commands His covenant people into the joy of His worship (8-13). He reminds us of His covenant promises (14-18), The Lord knows our weakness (19-22), but He also knows His unstoppable plan that all the earth should sing to Him and His own unfathomable worthiness (23-27). So, “worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him all the earth,” He is our Creator, our Sovereign Ruler, our Savior. He is and forever shall be the King of glory (28-34). Now “save us, O God of our salvation,” for you are God “from everlasting to everlasting” (35-36). “Then all the people said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord.

We can understand why some people think that all this is over the top, but there comes a moment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess. (Hawaii illustration) And what hope would we have if the propositions in the song of 1 Chronicles 16 were false? What then? But our hope will not put us to shame (Romans 5:1-11).

The glory that will not be contained

So the worship of Israel's God continued again in the days of David, because their hope was real. David left people there before the ark to keep hope alive through continuous worship. But only God keeps hope alive. God's hope will not be contained in one little ark. Our God is so great! May His glory fill every corner of our lives and overcome darkness all over the earth.

Our role today is to keep the worship of God alive in a world that may find that worship tolerable, but can't fathom the fact that it is delightful. Like the messengers from John the Baptist, the Lord sends us out with words of hope, and we go as those who believe, though we need help with our unbelief. But when we give thanks to the Lord, we remember that “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 39 – My hope is in you

Gospel Reading—Matthew 11:1-19 – Messengers from John the Baptist

Worship on the road to Jerusalem...

Obedience and Joy in the Worship of Our David

(1 Chronicles 15, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, January 7, 2018)

[1] David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. [2] Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. [3] And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it. [4] And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: [5] of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, with 120 of his brothers; [6] of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, with 220 of his brothers; [7] of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, with 130 of his brothers; [8] of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, with 200 of his brothers; [9] of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 of his brothers; [10] of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, with 112 of his brothers. [11] Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, [12] and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. [13] Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” [14] So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. [15] And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.

[16] David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. [17] So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; [18] and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. [19] The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound bronze cymbals; [20] Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth; [21] but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with lyres according to the Sheminith. [22] Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it. [23] Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. [24] Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

[25] So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing. [26] And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. [27] David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod. [28] So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres.

[29] And as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

Seek Him according to the Word

We live in an age that imagines that the spontaneous is much more likely to be from God than the prepared. David was learning the mistake of such an assumption 3000 years ago. Not only was the destination for the ark planned out on this second attempt, but so was the method of transporting this holy objects. “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God.” This was not the decision of a committee or of David's own judgment. The Word of God insisted on it. “The Lord had chosen” the Levites “to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to him forever.”

The king played a crucial and authoritative role in this plan to bring the ark to its new home. “David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.” This did not mean that the king did everything himself. “David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.” He also took the divinely appointed divisions of the tribe of Levi seriously. The three clans were identified under their leaders as well as the priesthood which included only “the sons of Aaron.” David “summoned” the key priests and appropriate Levites and instructed them in matters that they needed to know in order to avoid another disaster such as has happened in their first attempt when Uzzah died. “Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” And this is what they did. “The Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.” Rules are not unspiritual when they come from the Almighty. We look for divine precepts in our journey of faith and worship, and we seek to learn from approved examples of what the Lord has clearly accepted.

Raise sounds of joy

This does not mean that obedience was simply a matter of attending to external regulations. The heart also was to be appropriately engaged. David commanded that there should be “sounds of joy.” This included the playing of a variety of instruments and especially singing by those appointed for the task of choral praise. Some of the men noted in the list of Levites not only led others in song, they also composed hymns of praise to the Lord. We read of Heman (Psalm 88), Asaph (Psalms 50, 73-83), and Ethan (Psalm 89) in the book of Psalms. We also note the job given by David to a musical director, Chananiah, who was a “leader of the Levites in music” for the specific reason that the man “understood” the music. Others were appointed as “gatekeepers for the ark” and certain priests were specified to “blow the trumpets before the ark of God.”

David's worship

David's worshiped on the road “with rejoicing.” As he led, the people followed. “God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” Dressed in robes “of fine linen,” David, the Levites carrying the ark, the singers, the music director, and “all Israel” had exuberant worship at this great moment in the story of salvation. Think of it! The Lord's sacramental presence (the ark) was being brought into the city of God! (This was one of the greatest moments in worship history, not to be surpassed until Palm Sunday, when the shouts of Hosannas were heard as Jesus led the people as King of Israel and the true Son of God. Hosanna in the highest!) Back to David's day, the king in his “linen ephod” was celebrating God's arrival and there was “shouting” and “horn, trumpets, and cymbals,” with “harps and lyres.” Yet also blood...

Michal despises her husband

What a day! But not everyone was happy. “As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.” If there was a worship war on that great day, it was David and all Israel on one side, and Michal on the other side. If we have worship wars in our day, we need to make sure that we are on the side of our leader, Jesus, attentive to the Word, prepared for joy, and filled with gratitude for the God of our salvation.

Our David and His bride

Fast forward 1000 years: The Lord Jesus, the promised eternal Son of David, served His Father perfectly by the Hebrew Scriptures and “the blood of the eternal covenant” (Hebrews 13:20). 2000 years more: Our obedience in liturgy and life cannot be a lawless OR a joyless enterprise. As those who are united to Christ, it is our duty, discipline, and delight to love the Lord who bids us to serve Him and each other with a Spirit-filled heart (Ephesians 5:18-21). Sadly, there are many who reject this solid Christ-like combination of rejoicing and commandment-keeping.

How can we rightly worship on the move toward the God of our salvation as we ask the Lord to bring home the lost and enliven the halfhearted? Here are three thoughts for this great journey:

1. Listen to what Jesus says about obedience and joy going together. (John 8:31-32)

2. Discover Jesus as the perfect worshiper of the Father. (John 7:8-10 and Hebrews 12:2)

3. When you stumble, get up, and keep walking with confidence in Jesus. (Matthew 10:40-42)

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 38 – O Lord, My Salvation!

Gospel Reading—Matthew 10:40-42

[40] Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. [41] The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. [42] And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.