Chapter 16
v3 The celebration included everyone in Israel.
I imagine as the whole nation gathered to celebrate, that a hush fell on the huge crowd when they saw David take the platform. As their beloved king laid out this psalm of thanksgiving before them, I'm sure they wanted to shout, cry, dance around. I know I would have wanted to! Think of the emotion-charged atmosphere of the recent political conventions, and then multiply it by a billion. This is no politician we're here to honor. This is no ordinary king. This is the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!
Here are some of my favorite highlights:
v10 Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
v21 He permitted no man to oppress them.
v23 Proclaim the good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
I have days where I don't even think about the goodness of His salvation. How can that be! We have been given everything through the gift of salvation, and we should be proclaiming it everyday.
v29 Worship the Lord in holy array. (or: the splendor of your holiness.) Leave your fancy clothes and jewelry behind this Sunday, because no one will see them next to the splendor of your holiness. You say, but only God is Holy! Of course. And He poured His holiness out on you the moment you accepted your new life in Christ. Why not bask in it? Wear it like a glittering cloak and worship Him freely without fear or guilt or risk of pride. His blood has made you holy.
v31-33 I love the picture here of the moon and stars (and sun and planets) being glad, the earth rejoicing, the sea roaring, the field exulting, and the trees singing! They love their creator as much as soulless, inanimate, non-breathing objects are able to. Every movement and sound they make is what they were created to do--proclaim the Lord.
Be who you were meant to be--and proclaim the Lord with every movement and sound.
v36 "Then all the people said, "Amen," and praised the Lord. I bet they did!!
Chapter 17
v1 David wants to build a permanent home for the ark of the Lord.
v4 God says no. Why would God say no to someone who wants to bring Him glory? I have written before that maybe it was to avoid too much glory going to one human king. But the simple fact is, God's plans stretch to eternity, and if He says "No," to your awesome idea, don't get your feelings hurt. Just take His Word for it. He'll give you another awesome idea, anyway.
God goes on in the next few verses reminding David of how far He has brought him: from the pasture to the palace.
v10 God then gives him a glimpse of those eternal plans I mentioned above. "Moreover, I tell you that the Lord will build you a house." (emphasis mine)
He explains that David's house of cedar is nothing compared to what is coming. Here's my paraphrase: "David, you want to build me a house, because you feel bad that yours is better than mine? I don't need you to build me a house. I have the whole universe at my fingertips. I'm going to build you a house. One that will never rot or be destroyed, and I'm going to put your descendant on a throne in that house, and he'll stay there. Forever."
So who is this descendant? Look at verse 13, "I will be his Father, and he shall be my son." I love this, because if He's talking about Solomon, it means that Solomon will walk with the Lord. But what if He's talking about Jesus, also David's descendant! God is literally his Father, and he's literally God's son. Maybe it's both. The Bible is full of God's promises that are fulfilled immediately in one way, and then later in a different, more permanent way.
v14 "I will settle him in my house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever."
It's no wonder that David's response is to wonder at all that God is, has done, and will do. (16-22)
And now, as I look back at how God kept these promises, and that there are still more that He will keep, I can respond with even more wonder.
His throne will be established forever.
Next time: I Chronicles 18-19
