Brian Eshleman (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} brianesh73) wrote,@ 2008-03-27 05:49:00 |
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1 Chronicles 22 and Psalms 75
THEME: The common theme is that You put down one and exalt another, whether through the passage of time as with David and Solomon or based on taking out wicked works.
PRAISES: Thank You that You are in control. Thank You that Your plans cannot be thwarted by weakness of age or past mistakes, as with David's complicity in shedding Uriah's blood. Thank You for the psalmist's assurances that You are able to render Your authority even when it seems that others have the final say on the decisions that impact us.
APPLICATIONS: We are called to use discernment with resources to prepare for what You will do next. (Verses 1-6) David didn't practice the hedonistic philosophy of, "Eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow, we die." He believed that his resources could serve a purpose that outlasted his wants and his whims. He wasn't buried with his wealth, either. He established it in order to bless future generations and to put his son in a position to minister effectively in Your Name.
We can learn from his perspective, especially in a culture that emphasizes personal coveting. We can learn to save for tomorrow not because you prohibit enjoying what You give us but because we are even more EXCITED about being ready for what You will do next. We can take on this attitude out of a recognition that the pleasures the world chases and stands its treasure on don't last but that the Kingdom purposes for which You created us do. I think that this overarching lesson is even more important than the literal fact that David was able to put his son in charge of a material legacy. It wasn't just Solomon's trust fund that grew fat but his and the position of his generation to FULLY EXPERIENCE YOU. May THAT be our bottom line as we make decisions about getting and spending that Wordsworth says could lay waste our powers. Give us wisdom, Father, in what we lay up for Your biggest purposes. Help us to trust Your heart of generosity and provision in making these decisions.
But even as we look to the bigger Kingdom purposes than blessing our family materially, we can ask for Your wisdom in doing this as well. This same David who equipped Solomon materially said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging bread. At times, in an era when just living is expensive, saving for basic needs is a challenge, and jobs are no guarantee, the idea that we can ESTABLISH something for any children You bless us with seems almost impossible. But it can be done. I'm grateful that my father did it, and I believe that You are able to use me and anyone in this era who will submit their finances and their earning power to You in order to provide the same security. If it is not provided to the degree that Solomon experienced it or even to the degree that we are used to, we can trust that that will be more opportunity for our children to trust in You rather than the security of wealth. Rebuke the devourer for us, Father, as we try to anticipate family needs and make responsible decisions with the resources You give us.
Part of the legacy we leave those behind us is in the time we take and what we say. (Verses 6-16) David, with a schedule more full than we can imagine, set aside time to talk to Solomon. He set aside time to talk about his own shortcomings. He set aside time to talk about Your Word to him as it related to his son. He set aside time to convey to Solomon that the relationship You wanted with him was not vicarious through David but that YOU would be his Father after David was gone. David set aside time to point Solomon toward placing a great value on Your Word. David set aside time to instill confidence in Solomon in Your provision for Your purpose. He set aside time to expressly point out that the peace with which Solomon was to be blessed had a purpose bigger than his own enjoyment.
This is a great model for us with much to apply. As someone who does not have children yet, it gives me and inspiring and intimidating standard to shoot for. I'm grateful not just for the college tuition and medical needs that my father has paid for but for the time he took to explain the Gospel. I'm grateful for the time he took to explain Your exciting purpose of my life even as I strive to do this more passionately and positively with my own children. I'm grateful for the reminders particularly my mother gave me of everything You brought me through and the assurance that this would not be in vain as I would have opportunities to bless others. Help us, Father, even who do not have children, to take the TIME to SPEAK the words that point those who follow us to purpose in their lives. Help us, like Deuteronomy says, to talk about Your Word in our coming in and our going out, in our lying down, and in our rising up. Deliver us from the foolishness of assuming that these lessons just happen. Remind us that the lessons that "just happen" in this culture are not these and protect those left to wander by our dereliction from the pervasive and perverse pulls in life other than those that David points to.
We can look to Your wider purpose rather than just focusing on the family. (Verses 17-19) In the beautiful balance of Your Word, right after showing the value of taking family time for teachable moments, the reach of influence widens. David doesn't stop with his own self-contained life. He believes that You have a bigger purpose for him. He speaks to the nation. He also commends Solomon in pursuing Your vision to the care and support of those who will outlast his father.
There is a big lesson in this for us. You give us opportunities for connection at every age level and in every chapter of life. Yet we often use family as an excuse not to be used in a wider context. As with Moses and Joshua, Paul and Timothy, or Peter and Mark, You give us spiritual fathers and sons that are going to shape us in ways that our biological relationships will not. What open doors are there for us in listening to the wisdom of people not in our biological family who are farther along the road of the Christian life? In turn, what experience and insight can we pass on to those coming behind us? How can we support the vision that You have given them and turn it into concrete steps that we can help them pursue? Open our eyes, Father, to the relationships that will change our lives. Open our eyes to the bigger purpose You have beyond our myopic vision.
THEME: The common theme is that You put down one and exalt another, whether through the passage of time as with David and Solomon or based on taking out wicked works.
PRAISES: Thank You that You are in control. Thank You that Your plans cannot be thwarted by weakness of age or past mistakes, as with David's complicity in shedding Uriah's blood. Thank You for the psalmist's assurances that You are able to render Your authority even when it seems that others have the final say on the decisions that impact us.
APPLICATIONS: We are called to use discernment with resources to prepare for what You will do next. (Verses 1-6) David didn't practice the hedonistic philosophy of, "Eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow, we die." He believed that his resources could serve a purpose that outlasted his wants and his whims. He wasn't buried with his wealth, either. He established it in order to bless future generations and to put his son in a position to minister effectively in Your Name.
We can learn from his perspective, especially in a culture that emphasizes personal coveting. We can learn to save for tomorrow not because you prohibit enjoying what You give us but because we are even more EXCITED about being ready for what You will do next. We can take on this attitude out of a recognition that the pleasures the world chases and stands its treasure on don't last but that the Kingdom purposes for which You created us do. I think that this overarching lesson is even more important than the literal fact that David was able to put his son in charge of a material legacy. It wasn't just Solomon's trust fund that grew fat but his and the position of his generation to FULLY EXPERIENCE YOU. May THAT be our bottom line as we make decisions about getting and spending that Wordsworth says could lay waste our powers. Give us wisdom, Father, in what we lay up for Your biggest purposes. Help us to trust Your heart of generosity and provision in making these decisions.
But even as we look to the bigger Kingdom purposes than blessing our family materially, we can ask for Your wisdom in doing this as well. This same David who equipped Solomon materially said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging bread. At times, in an era when just living is expensive, saving for basic needs is a challenge, and jobs are no guarantee, the idea that we can ESTABLISH something for any children You bless us with seems almost impossible. But it can be done. I'm grateful that my father did it, and I believe that You are able to use me and anyone in this era who will submit their finances and their earning power to You in order to provide the same security. If it is not provided to the degree that Solomon experienced it or even to the degree that we are used to, we can trust that that will be more opportunity for our children to trust in You rather than the security of wealth. Rebuke the devourer for us, Father, as we try to anticipate family needs and make responsible decisions with the resources You give us.
Part of the legacy we leave those behind us is in the time we take and what we say. (Verses 6-16) David, with a schedule more full than we can imagine, set aside time to talk to Solomon. He set aside time to talk about his own shortcomings. He set aside time to talk about Your Word to him as it related to his son. He set aside time to convey to Solomon that the relationship You wanted with him was not vicarious through David but that YOU would be his Father after David was gone. David set aside time to point Solomon toward placing a great value on Your Word. David set aside time to instill confidence in Solomon in Your provision for Your purpose. He set aside time to expressly point out that the peace with which Solomon was to be blessed had a purpose bigger than his own enjoyment.
This is a great model for us with much to apply. As someone who does not have children yet, it gives me and inspiring and intimidating standard to shoot for. I'm grateful not just for the college tuition and medical needs that my father has paid for but for the time he took to explain the Gospel. I'm grateful for the time he took to explain Your exciting purpose of my life even as I strive to do this more passionately and positively with my own children. I'm grateful for the reminders particularly my mother gave me of everything You brought me through and the assurance that this would not be in vain as I would have opportunities to bless others. Help us, Father, even who do not have children, to take the TIME to SPEAK the words that point those who follow us to purpose in their lives. Help us, like Deuteronomy says, to talk about Your Word in our coming in and our going out, in our lying down, and in our rising up. Deliver us from the foolishness of assuming that these lessons just happen. Remind us that the lessons that "just happen" in this culture are not these and protect those left to wander by our dereliction from the pervasive and perverse pulls in life other than those that David points to.
We can look to Your wider purpose rather than just focusing on the family. (Verses 17-19) In the beautiful balance of Your Word, right after showing the value of taking family time for teachable moments, the reach of influence widens. David doesn't stop with his own self-contained life. He believes that You have a bigger purpose for him. He speaks to the nation. He also commends Solomon in pursuing Your vision to the care and support of those who will outlast his father.
There is a big lesson in this for us. You give us opportunities for connection at every age level and in every chapter of life. Yet we often use family as an excuse not to be used in a wider context. As with Moses and Joshua, Paul and Timothy, or Peter and Mark, You give us spiritual fathers and sons that are going to shape us in ways that our biological relationships will not. What open doors are there for us in listening to the wisdom of people not in our biological family who are farther along the road of the Christian life? In turn, what experience and insight can we pass on to those coming behind us? How can we support the vision that You have given them and turn it into concrete steps that we can help them pursue? Open our eyes, Father, to the relationships that will change our lives. Open our eyes to the bigger purpose You have beyond our myopic vision.
