A Passion For The Things of God

“They were responsible for all matters related to the things of the LORD and the service of the king…” ­– 1 Chronicles 26:30 NLT

As you read these closing chapters of the book of 1 Chronicles, you have to keep reminding yourself that all of this is being done by David – a man who dreamed of building a house for the Lord, but was denied that privilege by God. Instead, David’s son, Solomon, would construct the temple. But instead of pout and take his toys and go home, David decided he would do the next best thing. He began gathering all the materials and establishing the organizational backbone that would make the temple possible. Here he is in the closing days of his administration and life, and he is spending the vast majority of his time ensuring that everything needed to make the construction of the temple possible is ready. Not only that, he is putting in place all the administrative and organizational aspects of building and maintaining the temple in place – long before construction has even begun.

The amount of detail in these chapters is amazing. It can make for a difficult, if not boring read. But it reveals David’s passion for God. Even though he will never see the completed temple or worship in it, he is going to make sure that it is built and that it is worthy of the One who will occupy it. I guess I am amazed at the magnitude of David’s passion for God. He could just as easily have decided that since he is not going to get to build the temple, then all the work should fall on Solomon. But he was not going to take the risk that this dream of his would somehow die along with him. He was determined to see the temple built and his God honored. So he works diligently and determinedly to make sure every aspect of the temple’s construction and ongoing maintenance is covered. His zeal for God’s house reminds me of how Jesus reacted when He found the money changers selling inside the temple when He arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. He became angry and physically threw them out of the place. He was not going to allow His Father’s house to be defiled in such a way. Like Jesus, David had a passion for the things of God. You might even say he was obsessed. He was consumed with the idea that the temple was to be a fitting dwelling place for the God of the universe. God deserved it. And David was going to see that God got what He deserved. Even if he never got to see it himself. Now that is dedication.

Dr. Thomas L. Constable puts it this way, “His preoccupation with God’s promises and his preparations for their fulfillment served as a good example for Chronicles’ original readers. David’s zeal for the house of the Lord reflected his zeal for the reputation of the Lord. He truly put God’s glory before his own personal ambitions.” Could the same be said of me? Do I put God’s glory above my own personal ambitions? Is making God great and making Him known more important to me than anything else? Sadly, the answer is most often, “No.” But as we get ready to enter into another new year, that kind of attitude can change. I can and will make God number one in my life. I will give Him the glory He deserves. I will recognize His greatness and tell others about it. I will make the reputation of God more important than my own. What about you?

Father, like David, I will never get to build a temple for You. I never even came up with the dream to do so in the first place. But there are so many things I can do to bring You glory. Forgive me for the many times I make my own glory my passion. I want to fulfill my dreams and plans and make my own name known in the land. Give me the passion of David. May I spend the remaining years of my life doing anything and everything to give You glory and make You known. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



Preaching and Singing.

“Next David and the worship leaders selected some from the family of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for special service in preaching and music. Here is the roster of names and assignments:” ­– 1 Chronicles 25:1 MSG

The temple David had dreamed of building was going to be more than just a place to come and offer sacrifices. It would feature the perpetual worship of God. He would be the solitary focus within its walls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In chapter 25 of 2 Chronicles, we are told that David assigned a group of men to do nothing but “proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals” (2 Chronicles 25:1b NLT).  They were worship leaders, and as such, they were to speak the truth of God set to music. In essence, they formed a temple choir for the purpose of praising God through music and song.  Music, always near and dear to David’s heart, was going to play a significant role in the new temple that Solomon would construct. And us usual, David did his part to ensure that there were man assigned to this duty.

When we think of the temple we tend to only take into account the sacrificial system and the Holy of Holies, that innermost place where the presence of God was said to dwell. But as this passage indicates, there was so much more to temple worship than animal sacrifices. The building itself was an incredible sight to behold with its magnificent gold overlays, tapestries, pillars and ornate furnishings. It was a feast for the ears as much as it was for the eyes. Music filled the structure with a variety of instruments and human voices being used to praise God at all times. Visiting the completed temple would have been a sensory overload – filled with sights and sounds designed to praise and bring glory to God. He was the focus. Walking into the temple would have left little doubt that God was the center of attention. The sacrifices were for Him, but so was the music. The entire structure was built just for Him. Think about the difference between then and now. So much of what we refer to as “the house of God” today is about us. Our churches are built to bring us comfort and to accommodate our needs. Even the music is designed in many ways to entertain and encourage us. The sermons are directed at us. Rather than lift up the name of God and celebrate the Word of God, many messages from pulpits across our country today have become little more than short positive motivational speeches or talks filled with tips on how to live a better life. While the buildings themselves may be impressive architecturally, they do little to lift up and glorify God. Sadly to say, they have become man-centered, rather than God-honoring.

But David was not interested in building a place where men could feel encouraged and entertained. He wanted to build a house suitable for his God. He wanted everything about it to speak of the glory and majesty of God. It was to be magnificent in every detail, because David’s God was magnificent in every detail. From the smallest brick laid to the highest note played, everything about the temple was to be about God, because He deserved it.

Father, we have somehow lost the significance of You even in our worship of You. We have made it all about us. We build buildings and sing songs that are designed with us in mind more than You. Help us to learn from David that You are always to be the center of our attention, the focus of our worship, and the reason for our existence. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



Passing the Torch.

“When David was an old man, he appointed his son Solomon to be king over Israel.” ­– 1 Chronicles 23:1 NLT

The older I get the more I find myself thinking about my legacy. What am I going to leave behind? What will people think about me when I’m gone? What will my children have to remember me by? They probably won’t be fighting over the family estate or the contents of my will. Vast sums of cash will not end up dividing my family. If anyone of my children are hoping to strike it rich when I pass on, they’re going to be sorely disappointed. But I do hope to leave them something. Like memories and knowledge that I loved them – if not perfectly, consistently. They will have my library of books, which will remind them that I loved to read and that, most of all, I loved to read books about our faith. They will have access to articles I have written and CDs containing messages I have given. These will remind them ofmy love for the Word and my passion for teaching it. They will know that I loved their mother passionately and completely – right up to the end. I hope they’ll recall my sense of humor. At least I thought I had a sense of humor. I tried to laugh at life and even at myself. But if there is one thing I want to leave my children, it is my love for the Lord. .

David had that same desire. He wanted Solomon to love and serve God. He knew that the key to Solomon’s success was going to be the health of his relationship with God, not the size of his army or the amount of gold in his treasury. So as David neared the end of his life, he did all he could do to help prepare Solomon for a future without him. And one of the things that was high on David’s list was the construction of the temple. This was about more than building a magnificent building. It was about building a dwelling place for God Himself. The temple would assure the presence of God in the midst of the people of Israel. It would be a permanent and constant reminder of their dependence on God as they worshiped and offered sacrifices to God. So David did all he could do to make sure the temple got built. He was not going to let Solomon forget about it or change his mind. David made all the right preparations so that Solomon’s job would be fairly easy. David did the heavy lifting, so Solomon could complete the task with relative ease.

That is what I hope I am doing. I want to set the foundation upon which my children and grandchildren will build their lives and their love for God. I want to spend the remaining years of my life doing the heavy lifting, so that my kids can have all that they need to enjoy a vibrant relationship with God all the days of their lives. In reading these two chapters of 1 Chronicles, we see David gathering, assigning, numbering, and preparing for a day he would not even be around to experience. Isn’t that what we should be doing – preparing for a day when we will no longer be around? That’s what a legacy is all about. It is leaving something of value behind that will be worth more than even if I was here. David’s contribution to the completion of the temple was inestimable. You couldn’t put a value on it. The time I spend now preparing building a spiritual legacy for my kids and grandkids is also beyond value. It is time well-spent. It will pay dividends for generations to come. David could have spent his remaining years wasting time on himself, enjoying life, taking advantage of the peace they were enjoying as a nation to travel, play golf, read, relax, take up a new hobby, etc. But he knew that the temple was going to be essential, because the temple was going to be the dwelling place of God – and God was the key to the future success of Solomon and the nation. So instead of relaxing, David planned and prepared. He was building a legacy.

Father, help me prepare for the future. Show me how to leave a legacy for future generations that will long outlast me. Keep me focused on the kingdom and not my own little world of comfort and convenience. Give us a parents a passion to prepare the way for our children and grandchildren. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



Sound Fatherly Advice.

“And may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the law of the LORD your God as you rule over Israel. For if you carefully obey the laws and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!” ­– 1 Chronicles 22:12-13 NLT

David’s days are coming to an end. He is growing old and his reign as the king of Israel is just about over. He has had a roller coaster reign as king filled with wars, domestic disputes, and enough ups and down to leave his head spinning. But as he contemplates the close of his time as king, one thing is on his mind: The construction of the temple he had longed to build for God. Even though God had denied David the right to construct the temple himself, David was still excited about the prospect of his son, Solomon, fulfilling this life-long dream of his. So he began the process of buying the land, collecting the materials, and providing much of what was necessary for the process of construction to begin once he was gone and Solomon had ascended to the throne in his place.

But David knew there was more that Solomon was going to need than construction materials. He knew from first-hand experience that Solomon was going to need to be obedient. Building the temple would be useless and pointless if the one constructing it was disobedient to God. Over the years, David had learned the importance of faithful obedience to God in his role as king. So he passed along what he had learned to his young son, Solomon:

“Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and give you success as you follow his instructions in building the Temple of the LORD your God. And may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the law of the LORD your God as you rule over Israel. For if you carefully obey the laws and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!” – 1 Chronicles 22:11-13

David told Solomon that success in building the temple would be tied to following God’s instructions for it. This was not to be Solomon’s temple but God’s. He was to listen to God and do exactly what he was told. David prayed that God would give his son wisdom and understanding, and that Solomon would obey God’s law all the years of his kingship. David knew that obedience was the key to success as God’s man. Then he encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous, and to not let fear or a sense of defeat mark his reign. David reminded Solomon…

“The LORD your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations. He has handed them over to me, and they are now subject to the LORD and his people. Now seek the LORD your God with all your heart. Build the sanctuary of the LORD God so that you can bring the Ark of the LORD’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the LORD’s name.” – 1 Chronicles 22:18-19 NLT

David was leaving his son a powerful kingdom enjoying a time of unprecedented peace. He was leaving him royal treasuries filled with the plunder from successful military campaigns. He was leaving him a beautiful royal palace and a well-fortified city in which to live. He was leaving him a well-respected name and legacy of leadership that was hard to match. But the best thing David left his son was his encouragement to obey God faithfully. David knew this was the secret to his success. He wanted Solomon to be a man after God’s own heart just as he was. And at the end of the day, the best way to recognize a man after God’s own heart is through his life of faithful, consistent obedience. Sure, there were days David disobeyed and failed to follow God’s plan. But he always returned to God, recognizing his sin, taking responsibility for it, and repenting of it. He wanted Solomon to understand that the temple would be useless and impractical if the God for whom it was being built never occupied it. And the quickest way to make that happen would be through disobedience.

David left Solomon a lot, but the best thing he left him was some sound fatherly advice. “Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart.”

Father, may that be the advice I leave my own children. May I learn that there is nothing I can leave behind that is more valuable than my understanding that faithful obedience to You is the key to real success. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



Living A Lie.

“Then David and his army returned to Jerusalem.” ­– 1 Chronicles 20:3 NLT

1 Chronicles 20 parallels 2 Samuel 11, where we are told the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Interestingly, both chapters start out the same way, “The following spring, the time of year when kings go to war…” But then they depart slightly. 2 Samuel goes on to say, “…David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem.” The book of 1 Chronicles says, “…Joab led the Israelite army in successful attacks against the towns and villages of the Ammonites.” But in either case, David doesn’t go into battle, but stays back in Jerusalem. At a time when kings should be going to war, David is sending and staying, not going. He sends Joab to do his dirty business, while he stays behind in Jerusalem. This decision would lead to his sin with Bathsheba and, ultimately, his murder of her husband Uriah.

But in 1 Chronicles, the writer leaves out what happened while David was back in the capital and concentrates on the victory over the Ammonites. If you just read this chapter alone, and not in association with chapter 11 of 2 Samuel, you would be lead to believe that this is just business as usual. David was sending out his troops and then going to meet them when the battle is over – just what good kings do. But when you know what David was up to while Joab and his men are busy fighting for David and the kingdom, it takes on a whole new light. And when you read that “David and his army returned to Jerusalem,” it should kind of turn your stomach a little bit. Here is David, who has just committed adultery with Bathsheba, attempted to cover it up, and in desperation, had her husband killed by abandoning him in battle, leading his troops triumphantly back into town to the cheers of the people, as if he had been there all along. What hypocrisy!

What jumps out at me is how there is no mention of David doing anything in terms of fighting or doing battle with the enemy. Joab, Sibbecai, Elhannon, and Jonathan are all listed as men who led, fought and gained victory over the enemy. But David seems to take all the credit and more. “When David arrived at Rabbah, he removed the crown from the king’s head, and it was placed on David’s own head. The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and it weighed about seventy-five pounds. David took a vast amount of plunder from the city” (1 Chronicles, 20:2 NLT). When taken in conjunction with what we know from 2 Samuel 11, this paints an even grimmer picture of David. Not only has he committed adultery and murder, but he appears to be a glory hog. He wants to stay at home in the safety and luxury of his palace in Jerusalem, but bask in the glory of the victory that others have brought about. He wants to enjoy the benefits and blessings of victory without the risk.

I think this describes a lot of us as Christians. We want to enjoy the blessings of God without living lives of obedience. We want to stay in the safety and security of our everyday lives, and not step out into the world to do battle with the enemy. We want to enjoy the blessings of God, but refuse to obey Him in so many areas of our lives. We want ease and comfort when He has told us that this life will be a battle. We are at war. We live in a time of war. We have an enemy who is out to destroy us and the kingdom of God. But we want to live in peace and tranquility. But if any victories do take place, we want to somehow get credit for it. And victories ARE taking place, because God is faithful and there are those who are doing the will of God, risking their lives and doing battle with the enemy each and every day. The kingdom IS advancing, but are we playing our part? Or like David, do we simply show up in time to join in the victory parade? May we not be those who stay behind when there is a battle to be fought. May we take our role as soldiers of Christ seriously.

Father, there is work to be done, but too often we stay behind in the safety of our lifestyles, refusing to do what You have called us to do. We prefer our comfort over obedience. We don’t want to risk anything. But You have called us to be a part of Your kingdom. You have placed us in the midst of an epic battle. And You have given us the tools necessary to fight successfully. May we do our part. May we fight the good fight. In Your power and according to Your will. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“So the LORD gave David victory wherever he went.” ­– 1 Chronicles 18:6 NLT

David subdued and humbled…

David also conquered…

David destroyed…

David captured…

David killed…

David brought…

David dedicated…

David reigned…

At first blush, it would appear that this chapter is all about David. After all, his name is mentioned 16 times, so it would seem that he is the focus of the chapter. And in a way, he is. But there is one other character who plays an even more significant role in the story being told here. And that would be God. Without Him, none of David’s exploits would have been possible. Without God, David would not even be the king of Israel. His presence in this story is what sets the reign of David apart from that of Saul and every other king who had ever ruled over a nation. The chronicler makes it clear: “So the LORD gave David victory wherever he went” (1 Chronicles 18:6 NLT). God gave the victory. David got the credit. He got to enjoy the thrill of the victory. He got to experience the rush of winning a decisive battle and watching the enemies of Israel cower at his feet. He got to see his royal coffers overflow with the plunder of each successive victory. But without God, none of it would have been possible. When David’s army defeated the Moabites, the chronicler wrote, “This was another example of how the LORD made David victorious wherever he went” (1 Chronicles 18:13 NLT).

God is the behind-the-scenes star of this story. He always is. We may not see Him, but He is always there. David was God’s man. He had chosen him to be king. He had anointed David as Saul’s replacement and now that David was on the throne, God was blessing his every move. But David had a part to play. And it was not just to be successful. David’s exploits are not nearly as important as David’s heart. God had chosen David because he was a man after His own heart. David had a heart for God and it showed up in his obedience to God. Unlike his predecessor, David sought the will of God. He asked for God’s guidance. And he seemed to know that his reign was only as strong as his relationship with God. Which is why David acknowledged God in his victories and sought God in times of defeat. As the spoil of battle began to add up, David made sure that he did not try and take credit for his victories. “King David dedicated all these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations he had subdued” (1 Chronicles 18:11 NLT). David knew that he was being blessed by God for a reason. If you recall, at one point David wanted to build a temple for God, but God told David that he would not be able to do so. That job would be up to David’s son, Solomon. But David’s victories were going to pay for the construction of that temple and much of the plunder of war would be used in furnishing the temple. “Later Solomon melted the bronze and used it for the Temple. He molded it into the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze utensils used at the Temple” (1 Chronicles 18:8 NLT). David was dedicated to God. Everything he did, he seemed to do for the glory of God. Was he always perfect in this pursuit? No. But we see in this chapter a characteristic of David that truly set him apart. And it is a quality that should mark our lives as Christ-followers. We should recognize that God is the behind-the-scenes star of our life story as well. He has called us. He has chosen us to be His sons and daughters. He is orchestrating the events of our lives in order to bring us good and Himself glory. It is our job to acknowledge Him and to realize that any “victory” we experience is due to Him, not us. We cannot take credit for our successes and blame God for our failures. And we cannot enjoy the benefits of a relationship with God without realizing that the blessings of God are not just for our own benefit. God blesses us in order that we might be a blessing to others. Our victories are not for us to bask in. God blesses us for a reason. David’s successes were not for him, but for the glory of God and the good of the nation of Israel. Our successes are not for us, but for the glory of God and the good of the body of Christ. This is God’s story, not ours. He is the star. And He alone deserves the credit.

Father, You do deserve all the credit for any successes I have experienced in my life. But it is so easy for me to rob You of glory by taking the credit myself. I over-value my own self-worth at times. I forget that I am nothing without You. Any good I experience, any blessings I enjoy – all come from Your hand. Help me continue to learn to give You all the credit. Thank You for being the behind-the-scenes star of my life’s story. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



The Death of a Vision

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a temple to live in.'” ­– 1 Chronicles 17:4 NLT

David had a great idea. He wanted to do something for God that would reflect his gratitude for all that God had done for he and the nation of Israel. He would build God a permanent temple or dwelling place. Just like all the other gods of the nations had. This idea made sense to David. God had given him a kingdom and he had built himself a palace, so why shouldn’t God have a temple in which to dwell? And David knew he wanted to have God’s presence as a permanent part of his kingdom if he was going to be successful. Where did David get such an idea? Well, obviously not from God as the text makes clear. He probably got the idea from looking at the nations around him. As he conquered other countries, David would see that their capitols contained a palace and a temple, because in the Near Eastern mindset the relationship of the king and the god of that nation were inseparable. The palace was the earthly residence of the king. The temple was the earthly residence of the deity that stood behind that king. So David was simply wanting to have what the other nations had.

His desire was not necessarily wrong or evil. He was wanting to honor God and his plan was based on his understanding that his kingdom was only as powerful as his God was close. But God had other plans for David. He wanted David to be a kingdom builder, not a temple builder. He reminds David that He is the one who chose him and put him on the throne. He did not ask for a temple to be built. David did not need to build a house for God to assure himself of the presence of God. God had been with him the entire time he was hiding in the wilderness. And He was with David now.

God had a job for David to do. He was the warrior-king. He was to do battle with the Philistines and the enemies of Israel. He was the shepherd-king. He was to shepherd and care for the people of Israel by providing them with protection from their enemies. David’s desire to build God a temple would have proved to be a distraction from the very task God had called him to perform. And the same can be true for us. In our desire to do great things for God, we can miss out on the job God has called and equipped us to do. “Often we may have to accept that the work which we would dearly like to perform in terms of Christian service is not that for which we are best equipped, and not that to which God has in fact called us. It may be, like David’s, a preparatory work, leading to something more obviously grand. Recognition and acceptance of our true measure is the first and necessary step towards seeing the significance of what, in God’s purposes, we really can achieve and have achieve.”– J. G. McConville, 1 & 2 Chronicles.

By doing what God had prepared him to do, David would be establishing Israel as a powerful force in the region. He would be setting up Israel as the dominant nation in that area of the world, so that when Solomon took the throne he would enjoy a time of unprecedented peace. And it would be during this time of peace that Solomon would build the temple David dreamed of building. Sometimes our work is preparatory. We are paving the way for something else. Our work may appear less important or somehow less significant, but we must do what God has called us to do. David was going to have to die to his vision. It would be painful and disappointing. But it would prove the best thing that ever happened to David and the nation of Israel. God didn’t need a temple. God needed a man who would obediently do what he was called to do; and leave the rest to God.

Father, sometimes I can come up with all kinds of ideas for serving You. I can get all excited about my plans for making Your kingdom great. But in doing so I have often forgotten to ask You what Your thoughts are. I fail to recognize that my plans can actually get in the way of Yours. And I can lose sight of the work You have called and equipped me to do. Keep me focused on and faithful to Your will, not mine. If I have to die to my vision, give me the strength to do so, and to willingly follow Your plan over mine.  Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



The Lord Reigns

“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!'” ­– 1 Chronicles 16:31 NLT

The Lord reigns. He rules. He sits on His throne ruling over all mankind and accomplishing His divine will as He sees fit. As David begins his long-awaited reign as the king of Israel, he reminds himself and his subjects that God is the ultimate king of their nation. David makes sure he sets up the Ark of God in the capital city of Jerusalem in order to assure himself and remind the people that this kingdom is a theocracy first, and a monarchy second. David reigns on God’s behalf and at His bequest. God put him on the throne, but God could just as easily remove him, as He did Saul.

David leads the people in a celebration of God’s goodness and grace. The arrival of the Ark in the city of Jerusalem is a reminder that God is intimately involved in their lives. And for that reason, He deserves their praise, worship, allegiance, and thanksgiving. David reminds them of all that God has done on their behalf. He recalls God’s faithfulness and redemptive work in their lives over the years. He is a good God who is worthy of much praise. It is only their relationship with God that sets the Israelites apart from all the other nations. He is the difference maker. It is He who makes them a unique people group among all the other people groups that populate the planet at that time. He is real, not an idol. He is powerful, and not just a figment of someone’s fertile imagination. And He is intimately involved in every aspect of their daily live. And for all that, He is to be worshiped, praised, and obeyed. What a timely reminder to those of us today who call ourselves His people. He is as amazing today as He was then. He deserves our praise as much as He did theirs. He is worthy of our thanks, praise, honor and attention. Because He alone is God.

Father, I do praise you enough. I do not acknowledge Your greatness enough. I do not sing of your worthiness enough. Yet You are as faithful, powerful, reliable, and gracious as You have ever been. Praise You!!! Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org



The Presence of God

“It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.” ­– 1 Chronicles 13:3 NLT

These two chapters record the same basic details as found in 2 Samuel 5-6. David attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the new capital of the nation. The significance of this event is that the Ark represented the presence and power of God. The people had actually tried to use the Ark as a good luck charm when fighting with the Philistines, sending for it in the hopes that it would give them victory over their enemies. But instead, the Ark was captured by the Philistines. With the loss of the Ark the people also lost the glory of God. “The glory of God has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken” (1 Samuel 4:22 NASB). The Ark symbolized the power and presence of God. With its loss, both had departed from Israel. After its return by the Philistines, the Ark had been left in Kiriath-Jearim for 100 years. During the entire reign of Saul, the Ark had been ignored and abandoned, and with it, the power and presence of God had also been overlooked.

David wanted to begin his kingdom in the right way and he knew the he would be dependent on both God’s power and presence. David knew the significance of the Ark and the role it had played in the history of Israel all during their years wandering in the wilderness. It had been a prominent fixture in the tabernacle where it sat in the holy of holies. In making the Ark a permanent fixture in his new capital, David was clearly indicating his desire to have the presence and power of God a part of his kingdom and reign. David wanted God involved in his kingdom. He inquired of God for direction and insight before acting. Having God intimately involved in his kingship was vital to David. And God confirmed His power and presence by answering David’s inquiries and fighting on his behalf. How much do we need the power and presence of God in our lives? It begins with acknowledging our need for Him. It involves including Him in the daily decisions of our lives. It means that we turn to His Word for wisdom, guidance, and direction. We listen for His voice. We don’t act until we have confidence that He has spoken. Saul had learned to operate independently from God. David was beginning his reign completely dependent on God. “So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David” (1 Chronicles 14:17 NLT).

Father, I cannot survive without Your power and presence. I try, but the results are always the same. So help me grow in my dependence on You. I want to live my life with You, not without You. I want to seek You, not ignore You. Give me a heart like David had. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org