But that roller coaster gets very old very quickly. And it wasn't until I truly surrendered my life to Christ that I experienced a joy that transcended my daily circumstances. I found I could still have joy even when life wasn't going my way; it was no longer based on what happened to me.
And that's the example we have in David as we close out the book of 1 Chronicles. It's his final lap; his life is almost over. He's passing the torch to the next generation. He meets with Solomon and all the leaders of Israel to give his last instructions for building the Temple, the task into which he's put his heart and soul.
After he reminds the leaders of the importance of the effort in front of them, he leads by example and gives his substantial personal fortune toward the building of the Temple. 113 tons of gold. 214 tons of silver. Wow.
David's generosity led to the rest of the leaders giving generously as well.
Ready and willing, the heads of families...stepped forward and gave willingly. (29:6)And the result was joy and celebration!
The people were full of a sense of celebration - all that giving! And all given willingly, freely! King David was exuberant. (28:9)
"And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly - what a joy!" (29:17)
They feasted all day, eating and drinking before God, exuberant with joy. (29:22)In the midst of the celebration, David tied this generosity and resulting joy to having a heart, a life, surrendered to God.
"O God, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided." (29:18-19)The New Testament continues the same theme of joy coming from a life surrendered to Christ:
[Jesus speaking] "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature." John 15:11
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity... Galatians 5:22
Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20I have experienced this truth, as have others:
"Anyone who gets in touch with God, gets in touch with joy. All true joy is derivative. It doesn't originate from the world. It doesn't originate from us. It originates from him. And when we get close to him, it rubs off." Eugene Peterson, Conversations, pg. 609.
"No one who ever said to God, "Thy will be done," and meant it with his heart, ever failed to find joy - not just in heaven, or even down the road in the future in this world, but in this world at that very moment. Every Christian who has ever lived has found exactly the same thing in his own experience. It is an experiment that has been performed over and over again billions of times, always with the same result." Peter Kreeft (quoted by Ann Voskamp)And that's where I am as we finish 1 Chronicles. I am reminded, once again, that it all starts with my heart. Am I leaning into Him, surrendering all that I am and have, or am I holding back, demanding to run the show? Is my heart divided, or is it wholly His?
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It's amazing to think that we're already more than a third of the way through the Bible! What's lingering with you from 1 Chronicles? What is God showing you about Himself or about yourself?
4 comments:
I was struck by David's prayer for Solomon. Particularly about his desire for his son' mind to be uncluttered and fully focused on God. That is my prayer for myself. What a huge prayer. Sorry to have missed The coffee and hope to make it another day. Love to you all!
Cici, thank you for the beautiful reminders of what joy is. I often feel happy when my circumstances are good, but it so quickly fades when realities hit. The underlying joy is such a different experience. What's really interesting is when I'm experiencing joy and I've actually failed someone or failed God in some way. And yet, in the forgiveness and in God's reality there is joy. Something new for me!
What struck me in these last couple of chapters of 1 Chr, is how God was in David's planning of the Temple (28:11-12; 19). I'm in the midst of intense planning in different arenas of life right now and I can struggle with what are God's plans and what are mine. I love these reminders that it's all important to Him and the HOly Spirit brings to mind what I need.
Staci- this verse made me think of you, for your current journey:
1 Chronicles 28:20 MSG
'David continued to address Solomon: “Take charge! Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God, is with you in this; he won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch. He’s at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of God.'
And then I thought of this for Christina too, in missions. And then Cici, in adoption. And then me, in parenting. These are just the current stories that I know a little about, but be encouraged that when what you are doing is in worship of God (yes, even parenting I believe), God says He will be by your side until every last detail is completed... Good stuff there. :)
Thanks Della! I kept looking to that verse all day :)
Cici, thanks for letting God use you and sharing what He's showing you! This may have been JUST the message I needed yesterday and it really gave me a new perspective and thankfully, even more joy from the Lord. Rollercoasters DO get old very quickly and I feel like I'm always on one. Thanks for the reminder to find joy in our Lord and let that be our strength. No matter what the circumstances.
God is showing me that He is a God of HOPE through 1 Chronicles. Just like in 66LL talks about, through discouragement we need to see His hope! "exiled but still proud->needs to see their sin and the restored but still discouraged needs to see His hope!" Praying for an undivided heart, fully wholly surrendered to our Lord, in hope of what's to come. Praying to find true rest in Him by soaking in His love and Word.
The pictures look great from your night together!!! :) such beautiful women together for fellowship, so sweet.
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