Set in Order

Read 1 Chronicles 26:12 – 1 Chronicles 29:21
 
1 Chronicles 29:14-15 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.”
 
THE Chronicles may often be viewed in a similar light as the law: “This is God’s Word, but I’ll read it later.” We may see this record of Israel’s people as too much informaiton about who did what and who is related to whom. But let’s see, as we do in the law, that God reveals some vital truths of himself and his relationship with Israel.
   Who is God? “Order” is certainly one word to describe his character: 1 Chronicles 26-27 tells who is responsible for each aspect of Israel’s life. And you know who was leading each tribe. Chapter 28 describes the specific requirements of the Temple. Just as in the Tabernacle, God instructs construction to glorify him. He knows what he wants.
   “Provider” also defines God. Chapter 29 tells of God’s magnificent provision for his people. After reading the many stories of war from the outside, rebellion from the inside and violence among God’s people in 1 and 2 Samuel, it seems Israel would be a destitute and broken country. How surprised we are to see David has such wealth as he spoke in 1 Chronicles 29:2-5 “Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble. 3 And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. 4 I am donating more than 112 tons of gold from Ophir and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings 5 and for the other gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen.”
   Then see David’s challenge: verse 5b “Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”
   Of course worldly wealth is not the source of pleasure, happiness and salvation as it relates to our LORD. But this wealth in a very small nation so deeply troubled is certainly God’s gracious provision. God has done this to glorify his name. David celebrates, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” Perhaps more than any other time, Israel is as close to being the Promised Land God had offered to them. The LORD provided an interlude of peace and prosperity before new challenges would come.
   God will work through even the deepest challenges to offer you order and provision for your life as you submit to his authority. Count the ways God adds to your life – the ways he blesses you – and know that all things come from him.