Category: 1 Chronicles

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

God Himself transferred the royal power from Saul to David. This is one of the foundation stones of the subsequent messianic prophecies and longings. The coming Messiah will be of David’s line! The Chronicler majors on David’s faith – the positive aspects of his reign and life. Everyone knew the failures. The Lord was with David in a way unique! David’s kingdom depended on these mighty men. What is our need of people of such might in our congregation?

SJA Notes

* Father God in Heaven, may we be glad when it is said to us, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”.

“Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.”

Here is a list of battle-hardened warriors, fighting against impossible odds – Bravery and heroic deeds in abundance.

In church today – Do we have mighty folk of battle?

Perhaps there isn’t a need to be skilled with sword and bow.

Butt there is a battle.

Look at what these mighty men did for David,

“… Who gave him strong support in his kingdom,”

Do we give our King Jesus strong support in His kingdom?

He is the forever always King.

He builds His kingdom, always Him.

He does not need our support, there is no weakness in Him or strength that we can provide which is not already from Him.

But He is our king, and He calls for us to be living sacrifices, loving one another without thought of self – We are to bring our very lives in strong support of God’s kingdom.

Because He calls us to.

* Dear God,

Thank You that we are part of Your kingdom, and that we join together as branches of the vine, growing onwards in fruitfulness and blossoming.

We look forward to that great day approaching when we will be together with You in glory, the true and final fulfilment of Your promises to us.

Amen, Lord hasten that day.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

One thing the Chronicler does in this chapter is to establish the right of the returning members of the tribe from exile to the cities mentioned – Ono, Lod, Gath. Land rights and squabbles over them were important back then too. Jesus Himself has given us land rights in the new earth – I go to prepare a place for you!

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, we lift up our eyes to the hills – our help comes from You, the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

“And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.”

There is only truth in this reminder to the returning exiles.

For those returning, to remember! What led them into exile, a breach of faith.

There is only truth for us today.

We are to remember!

Israel were God’s people, and yet they went into exile.

We must not take God’s grace, His mercy, for granted.

But more, our foundation is in Christ – We are to remember!

It is God in the Person of the Son who has come to earth, to be a sacrifice – lamb slain – that deals with our sin.

Judah was taken into exile because of their breach of faith.

Jesus went to the cross and to the grave, to death, because of our sin. And He won the day.

Praise God for Jesus!

* God Above,

We are Your people, You are our God.

Thank You for all that You do, Your grace and Your mercy evident throughout our lives.

Please mark us as a faithful people.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This list is of the exiled and dispersed tribes that had been greatly blessed by God in the past and had been prominent in Israel. God blessed them in their days of faithfulness – will He not do the same for us today?

SJA Notes

* Blessed God, we cry to You in our distress, and You answer us.

“And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.”

Ephraim was a tribe that would dominate the north of Israel, but here we see tragedy striking at the beginning.

When hardship hits, when tragedy strikes, it is very easy to lose hope.

Ephraim’s brothers came and comforted him.

We can do (and have done to us) the same for God’s family – Gathering and comforting our brothers and sisters in our grief.

Praise God then that He is the God of the LIVING< the death-conqueror, messiah and saviour.

Our God continues to be sovereign and true and holy, even when we can’t see that for the logs and planks in our eyes, the hardness of our hearts, the turmoil and storms running through us, our pain and sorrow clouding our sight.

This is good to be reminded of.

* Father God,

Thank You for the comfort You alone provide, our ever-present Good Shepherd, Comforter and Friend – On whom we can cast all our cares and worries, our anxieties and strains.

Please help us to reflect Your love to each other, to comfort each other in our troubles and grief, and to point to Jesus.

Amen.