A new month begins. First, we have three chapters left in 1 Chronicles. Today we will read them, 27-29.
Life can deal you unexpected cards. I had worked for a company for over two decades. Last week I was told my services, along with many of my coworkers, were no longer required.
Changes
I am known as a champion of change. Every year we would have new programs, new features, new compensation plans and new leaders.
My colleagues would panic! How can we hit those quotas? Am I going to make less money? What will our customers say when we tell them about the new prices?
Anxiety lives next door to change. They hang out in the backyard barbecuing courage on Saturday afternoon.
I would assure the newer members of the team, the company always takes care of its people. Not to stress. If it isn’t working, we will figure out a way to make it work.
With these changes in my life, I needed someone to say those things to me.
Everything is Temporary
God does that in these chapters.
He tells me in 27:1 that each of the army divisions was on duty for one month. Change is part of God’s plan.
We don’t like it, but everyone we know get’s older. We all will die (see Heb 9:27).
God knew this, He ordained it. This is the way it is supposed to be.
We are not supposed to live in our comfort zones. He will move us out of them to help us grow.
The wind that knocks it around strengthens a plant.
When we get too comfortable, we think we can make the rules.
This happened with David, when he ordered the census, and 27:24 reminds us that “God’s wrath came on Israel” because of it.
Different Roles, Different Roads
Then verse 26-31 tells us the names of all the men who were in charge of various duties.
This tells me we all have different roles to play. If God blesses us with particular skill or talent, He will use it according to His will. We see this in verse 32.
I can trust God has equipped me for the road ahead. It may be new to me, but He knows what is there. The destination is the same, but the path has changed.
My son and I were hunting on Aspen Peak one spring and headed home. We found the road was closed because of the weather. He pulled up his phone map and found a new direction.
Make God Laugh
Years ago my wife taught me a funny, but true saying. If you want to make God laugh, show him your plans.
David had made plans. He wanted to build God a temple.
God laughed, and said, “not with those blood-stained hands. (paraphrasing v28:3)”
In verse 28:1-3, David brings everyone together to show them the plans, but lets them know his son Solomon will be in charge of building it.
David did not fight God on this. He didn’t whine or bargain.
Instead, he gives direction to Solomon to obey the Lord (see 28:9-10).
Everything is His
Everyone gave all they could. They praised God for giving them all they had.
Everything in this world, other than sin, belongs to God (v29:14).
We must humble ourselves and ask, “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?”
David didn’t get everything he wanted, the way he wanted it. He was thankful for everything the Lord had given him. He trusted in the changes God made.
I will move forward now, trusting God, too.
