Showing posts with label 1 Chronicles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Chronicles. Show all posts

Friday, June 29, 2012

Why do I seek God only in perilous times?

(Originally written June 29, 2012 on a scrap of paper now lost)

4 Days, no tobacco, no alcohol

Lord, Erin is about to talk to her parents. May your will be done, but Lord I don't want to deal the wedding. If it is possible please don't take Bill's blessing. What I need now is strength and encouragement. Teach me as I am in your word.

Isaiah 40

Lord I am like the grass. I will fall but your word will stand forever. Be mindful of how short my span is.

40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength".

Isaiah 41

41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right and hand and says to you, 'Do to fear; I will help you'"

I Chronicles 16

16:10 "Glory in his holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice"
- I am seeking the Lord, rejoice oh my heart and be not so crestfallen. Be not far from me God.

Lord, why do I seek you only in perilous times? Why don't I seek you always? I love you. I worship you. Make me faithful?

1 Corinthians 10

10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it"

Psalms 27

27:8 "My heart says of you, 'seek his face', Your face, Lord, I will seek"
-May this be my prayer.

27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"

II Peter

Lord teach me as I read Second Peter. Grant me wisdom to apply in the future. Write the words on my heart that I may stand up to any temptation. Do not put on me more than I can bear or bear it for me because I am weak. Lord help me to increase my faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love so I will not be ineffective or unproductive. Teach me to live a holy and godly life. Help me to have the strength and effort to be spotless and blameless and at peace with you.

Thank you Lord for your comfort and peace. may I live today a holy and blameless day. Renew my mind.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Brief Notes on 1 Chronicles 22-29

(Originally written June 6, 2008 in the Journal)

Oh Lord how long? How long oh Lord must I suffer in anguish and torment? There is an anger and a rage in me that I have never known. Bitterness is knocking at the door of my heart. Where is the joy of righteousness? Where is that easy yoke? May bless me as you blessed Jabez. Jabez prayed, oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries. Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain". If only you would grant me this prayer oh Lord!

Augustine states that a good man is neither exalted by the goods of this world nor overwhelmed by its ills. My ills are temporal - it is true. And the joy of the Lord, which is eternally written on my heart overshadows these temporary struggles by far, but, my Lord can you not see the immense pain this separation is causing me? Lord see my tears of sorrow and grief and have pity on me. But know that my heart and hope rest with you. You are my rock and shield. You are my strength when I have none and my strength when I feel gallant. May not a day or an hour pass by when my mind does not think on you. Lord teach me to be this good man of Augustine, but grant pity on me in my temporal sufferings. If it is your will reunite us. Do not destroy her, but open her heart to you. May you draw her close to you in love and grace. Lord, if you will, restore us. But, come what may I will serve you in all that I do, until I breathe my last. Teach me in your word.

Notes on I Chronicles

Chapter 22

David gathered materials so that his son Solomon could build the Temple of the Lord.

David could not build the temple because he had shed much blood. Solomon would be a peaceful man for the Lord and he would build the temple. The Hebrew name for Solomon is Shelomo, which is a play on the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom.

Chapter 23 - The Classes of the Levites

Chapter 24 - The classes of priests, who were the sons of Aaron

Chapter 25 - The musicians of the Lord

Chapter 27 -

The gatekeepers, treasurers and magistrates of the Lord

The divisions of the army.

I find it interesting that there are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 months, 12 lunar cycles. Of course one could say that the cult of Israel established 12 tribes because there are 12 months, but how much easier could we say that the Lord, in His divine plan ordained 12 months to correspond to the coming of the twelve tribes (and then the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ)? All things must be considered as to God and His plan and with God there is only purpose, not coincidence.

The 12 heads of the tribes

The overseers of Israel

David's court

Chapter 28

Serve God with a perfect heart and a willing soul, "for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the mind's thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let Himself be found by you; but if you abandon Him, He will cast you off forever" (1 Chronicles 28:9, New American Bible).

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Brief Notes on I Chronices 1-21

(Originally Written June 5, 2008 in the Journal)

Lord I am so feeble and weak. My soul is in anguish. My temper flares and I hurt from longing. Why has she forsaken me? Why would you cause this to happen? What must I learn from you? Do I not trust you? Do I not bless your name? Where is the easy yoke? Lord may your will be done and may the whole world come to see that you are just and good. Lord I struggle, but I thank you for the struggle. For if I die, I will be with you and if I live I will be even stronger in you for it. May you restore my wife to me or otherwise show me your plan for me. You have my heart, my soul, my mind, my all. 'Tis a small offering I know, but what I have is yours. Comfort me in the readings today. Do not look on me in anger or disgust, but deliver me from my anguish. Thank you Lord for all you have done. May the whole world praise you ceaselessly. May every tongue sound of the Holiness of the one true God. Thank you for your love and care.

Notes on I Chronicles

Chapter 1 - Genealogy from Adam to the Edomites

Chapter 2 - Genealogy of the sons of Israel, that is Jacob

Chapter 3 - The line of David

Chapter 4 -

The sons of Judah

Jabez prayed to the Lord, "oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!" The Lord answered his prayer.

The sons of Simeon

The sons of Reuben

Reuben, though firstborn, lost his birthright to Joseph. The king came from Judah because Judah was powerful.

The sons of Gad.

The sons of East Manasseh.

These men angered God by idolatry and were deported to Assyria.

The sons of Levi

Chapter 6 - The descendants of Aaron

Chapter 7

The sons of Issachar
The sons of Benjamin
The sons of Dan, Naphtali and Manasseh
The sons of Ephraim
The sons of Asher

Chapter 8 - The sons of Benjamin

Chapter 9 -

Judah had been carried away into Babylon as exiles.
Jerusalem still had some Israelites in it from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh and also some Levites dwelled in Jerusalem.

The Genealogy of Saul

Chapter 10

Saul and his three sons were killed in battle by the Philistines because Saul rebelled against the Lord.

Chapter 11

David was made king of Israel.
David conquered Jerusalem.

Chapter 12 - David gathered many warriors around him

Chapter 13 - David brought the Ark to Jerusalem

Chapter 14 -

David settled in Jerusalem, took wives and had sons.
David conquered the Philistines who attacked him. The Lord made all nations fear David.

Chapter 15 -

David danced in the streets and his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, despised him for it.

Chapter 16

"Glory in his holy name; rejoice, o hearts that seek the Lord" (I Chronicles 16:10, New American Bible).

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth, announce his salvation, day after day" (I Chronicles 16:23, New American Bible).

Chapter 17

Nathan had a vision that David's son would build the temple of the Lord and David rejoiced at this.

Chapter 18

David subdued the Philistines and the Moabites. He defeated the king of Zobah and the Arameans.

Chapter 19

David defeated the Ammonites for shaming ambassadors he sent them. David then crushed the Arameans for aid the Ammonites.

Chapter 20

David went to battle with the Philistines again and the Israelites defeated three giants that were sons of the Rephaim.

Chapter 21

David then sinned and took a census of Israel. David was given three choices of punishment and chose pestilence. 70,000 men died on account of David's sin.