November 27, 2010

1 Chronicles 23

I wonder what my last words will be. I hope they will be ones which promote or exalt the glory of the Lord. “For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above; 28because their duty was

to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God…
to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening;…
and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the Lord.”
Looking back over his life, David wanted a lasting legacy for the glory of the Lord. The Lord would not allow him to build the temple because he was a man of bloodshed. What could he do? Once blood is spilled upon the ground, it cannot be gathered back up and placed into the body from which it came. A life taken is a life taken. His last words were provision for worship of the Lord.

He did not want his legacy to be that he was a man of bloodshed. When we teach our children about the Lord from the life of David, what do we teach them? David and Goliath. As important a lesson that is, I don’t think that is the legacy for which he wanted to be remembered. He united the nation of Israel and took it to its apex in world strength. As great as that is, I don’t think he wanted to be remembered for that. I think he wanted to be remembered for directing people in worship of Lord. He has been called by many “The Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” When you think of David, is that what catches your attention? Lord, when I pass from this world let my legacy be that others were led into your glory because You shone through me. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

1 Peter 4

A few years ago Reno family court judge, Chuck Weller was shot and wounded in the chest as he stood near a third-floor courthouse window. The suspect was Darren Roy Mack, who had appeared before the judge in a divorce case. It won't happen in our court system, but what if Mr. Mack had to stand trial for shooting Judge Weller and Judge Weller was the criminal trial judge for Mr. Mack? I don't think it would bode too well for Mr. Mack.

When Jesus was last upon the earth, He came to seek and to save the lost. He did not come as a judge--that time. But as Peter points out here, He is coming again to judge the living and the dead. Peter calls this coming the "revelation of His glory." When Jesus returns, He will eventually hold two courts, one a 'family court' and one a 'criminal court.' In the 'family court' He will judge His own household, His own family. As children of God we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and all our works will be tried. Those works deemed valuable by Him will be rewarded and those works deemed not valuable will be destroyed. But the person will not be destroyed. It will not be a divorce court. He will not be deciding whether to separate us from Him or not. He died to apply His death to our lives. We received His death and resurrection. He will not deny Himself. There will also be a second court, a 'criminal court.' All those whose names are not in His book of having received the benefits of His death and life will be tried there. They will stand before the One, who went to the cross in their place, who bore the load of their sin, who died for them, who was rejected by them as unworthy to kneel before and call upon His name as Savior and Lord. He will do what is right. However, I it bodes not well for them.

Should we ever suffer because of the Name of Jesus, we must remember

1. He also suffered but overcame the suffering to receive great glory.

2. By suffering we may share in His glory.

3. It is His glory that at some point in time He will set all things right.

It bodes not well for those who do not delight in His glory now. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John