THE LORD SPOKE (June 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 17

It wasn't easy for the prophet Nathan to reverse his earlier enthusiasm (vs. 2) for David's temple building project. After hearing God's word on the matter, he went straight to King David and relayed just what the Lord spoke (vs. 4,7,15). Those difficult words were followed by a significant covenant promise. In vs. 11-14 we hear GOD'S PROMISE TO DAVID.

The next section (vs. 16-27) gives us DAVID'S PRAYER TO GOD. Incorporated into that prayer are the five key themes that define Old Testament biblical theology:

PEOPLE - Israel ("you made your people Israel your very own forever" - vs. 21-22)

PRESERVATION - redemption ("God went out to redeem a people for himself - vs. 21)

PROMISE - covenant ("Do as you promised so that it will be established forever - vs. 23-24)

PRINCE - Messiah (the house of your servant David will be established - vs. 24)

PLACE - land of Israel (the "great and awesome wonders" included driving out the nations before them - vs. 21)

The words to "Amazing Grace" were penned by John Newton in 1773 as he prepared a sermon on I Chronicles 17:16-17. His own experience as a slaver saved by God's grace was a reminder of the same unmerited favor that King David had received from the God who has no equal.

The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my home secures.
He will by shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come.
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.


New Testament: Galatians 5

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15

There once were two cats of Kilkenny.
They each thought there was one cat too many.
So they fought and they fit,
And they scratched and they bit
Until, instead of two cats,
There weren’t any.

Are we more guilty than the world in this area? Is it a congenital ailment of believers to be so verbally critical of other believers? Why do we do it so often and why are we so good at it?

At least part of the answer is that, to the extent that we are walking in the Spirit, we are more conscious of our guilt. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit we are more aware of our sin. He brings conviction and we recognize our wrong behavior. An unbeliever has only his conscience as his guide. So, it’s probably not that believers sin more in this area than unbelievers - they’re just more conscious of it.

But, it’s still a problem that we need to deal with much more seriously than we do. The solution to this problem for a believer is tucked into this same chapter. Immediately after Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians (vs. 13-15), he tells them to “live by the Spirit” (vs. 16). Again, at the end of the chapter, he reminds them to “keep in step with the Spirit” which is the best way to “not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (vs. 25-26). That’s exactly what produces such bickering and in-fighting.

What a difference this would make in our churches, in our families, and in our relationships with individuals. “Living by the Spirit” is explained in the middle of this chapter as producing the fruit of the Spirit. This is seen in the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That’s a plate full! But God expects no less than that from us.

Let us commit ourselves to pursuing these qualities and to growing daily in our walk with the Lord. “Keep in step with the Spirit!”