Today’s reading: 1 Chron 8:1–40, 1 Tim 5:10–17, Ps 78:53–72

Today’s theme: God over adversity

There are multiple lessons today. We are reminded that God can deliver us through adversity and that He has an order in creation, for men and women. God desires that we honour our Pastors.

1 Chronicles 8:1–40

Remember, God helps us overcome adversity

and Beriah and Shema (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who caused the inhabitants of Gath to flee); 1 Chronicles 8:13 (ESV)

The writer of these chronicles has an underlying purpose to encourage the readers, by reminding them of their past with God.

Judah and Benjamin receive special attention as the royal tribes and Saul’s family later receive even more focused attention, reminding the people that they once had a king and kingdom and that they should look to the restoration of the kingdom (Acts 1:16).

One of the ways in which this is done, is by retelling the difficulties that some key families in Benjamin overcame, to bolster morale and trust in God. These difficulties include the deportation of Ehud (8:6), Shaharaim’s divorce (8:8), Saul’s failed kingship (8:33) and the memory of the brave warriors who were cut off (8:40).

Despite all of these difficulties, we see anecdotes like this verse, reminding us that God will help His people overcome adversity and if He did it in the past we can have hope for the future. Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are called to adversity and to have joy in God.

The hope of restoration

These were the heads of fathers’ houses, according to their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.1 Chronicles 8:28 (ESV)

The short note regarding the Benjamites having lived in Jerusalem, is another way of reminding the Jews who have come out of exile, that Jerusalem was once theirs before Judah became a province of the Persian Empire.

This also points to the hope of the writer and the people, for full restoration, as prophesied in Jeremiah 33:15 and Amos 9:11.

The chronicler’s efforts to remind and bolster morale for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, is used by God to encourage the people, as we read in Ezra 1:5 and Nehemiah 11:4.

Jesus fulfilled both of these prophecies as mentioned in Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:32, Luke 19:38 and John 1:49. We will see their final completion at His second coming.

1 Timothy 5:10–17

Biblical womanhood

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV)

The Oxford dictionary tells us that egalitarianism is “the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities”.

There is truth in this but our culture has taken this belief to such an extreme, that it has resulted in absurdity (feminism, same sex marriage etc), and threatens the very fabric of society.

Paul’s command for younger widows reflects the normal biblical expectation for all young women, that they marry, have children and keep their homes well.

Despite the western world’s disregard for gender roles and biblical models for the family, we must not give in to the spirit of the age, but stand as a bulwark against it.

We must embrace biblical complementarianism (men and women have distinct but complementary roles, equivalent rather than equal).

We are called to show the world what true womanhood looks like, we should encourage and support our young women in this, as the current culture tells them to sacrifice these things for careers and personal goals.

Honour your Pastors

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

We should honour and respect our Elders, in particular our Pastors, who labour in teaching and preaching the word to us. Give God thanks for Pastor Dennis and Rev Taylor today.

Psalm 78:53–72

God our shepherd

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72 (ESV)

God is the great Shepherd of Israel. This psalm shows how He delivered them and led them to the holy land that He chose (54), and despite their rebellion He redeemed them and chose David His servant (70). The Lord is our Shepherd also and now we have King Jesus in place of King David.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 5

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 7:1–40, 1 Tim 5:1–9, Ps 78:30–52

Today’s theme: The importance of family

Today we are reminded of the importance of both our physical and spiritual family. We should provide for and love our physical families and this should be reflected in the church family, where we should stand steadfastly together as one unified army, for God’s glory.

1 Chronicles 7:1–40

One unified army

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being 22,600. 1 Chronicles 7:2 (ESV)

These genealogies are not just lists of names, these were recorded when the children of Israel returned from exile and they serve as a call to a unified kingdom.

The tribes mentioned here are from the north of Israel, however the chronicler was from the Southern kingdom, which is another indication that unity and oneness is being appealed to.

Another important note for this section, is the amount of times it mentions the number of “mighty warriors” that each tribe had.

As God’s people, from various cultures, times, locations and denominations, we too are called to be one and to serve as mighty warriors in the army of our King Jesus Christ. See John 17:20-23 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Biblical inclusiveness

His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. 1 Chronicles 7:24 (ESV)

There is a biblical kind of inclusiveness in this passage, this is seen in the additional details and side notes. For example, in verse 14, an Aramean (another nation) is mentioned and here the exploits of a woman (some cultures treat women as second class) named Sheerah, is noted.

This points to God’s heart for the purpose of Israel from the beginning, that they would not be an exclusive closed group, but that they would be the light of the world and a blessing to all nations.

The calling on God’s covenant people, Israel, is also on God’s “new covenant” people, the church (Jews and Gentiles). We are called to be a light in the world and a blessing to all people.

Jesus did not just die for one type of people, but for all types from every nation, tribe and tongue and He died for both men and women. We are called to finish the mission, by proclaiming the good news to all people. See all nations around the throne, in Revelation 5:9–10 and 7:9–10.

1 Timothy 5:1–9

We are a family

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV)

Paul’s instructions to the young Pastor Timothy, is connected to the biblical inclusiveness we observed in our OT reading.

The church is a family and we should treat one another with the love and respect that family deserves. We should respect and honour older men and women as if they were our own mother or father, and we should encourage, work with and walk alongside the younger men and women as if they were actually our brothers and sisters.

Jesus said in Mark 3:31–35, that His true family was not limited to His physical mother and siblings, but spiritually to all believers who obey Him.

Paul gives a note of warning, knowing the tricks that the enemy uses to take these loving family-like relationships in the church, and turning them into a cause of temptation and stumbling. In Timothy’s case, this was in regards to the young women.

We should love and treat one another like family, with pure motives and intentions.

Love your own family

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)

The fact that the church is a spiritual family does not take away from the fact that we have actual families, with real spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children.

We have a biblical calling to provide for our own families. Our families should not suffer so that we can “minister in the church” as we read earlier in this letter, things should be in order at home before we turn to work in the church.

The church should be a reflection of healthy and loving “real-life” family relationships in Christ. The Gnostics who taught that the spiritual was all that mattered, would have favoured the spiritual family at the neglect of the real family.

God wants us (particularly men), to provide for our families through loving hard work. In this life, our faith is so rooted in God’s wonderful and physical creation, that Paul boldly declares that a man who does not provide for his family, is worse than an unbeliever. Our self-centred western culture needs to hear and see this today.

Psalm 78:30–52

Be steadfast in heart

But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Psalm 78:36–37 (ESV)

We must keep guard over our hearts so that we are not just paying God lip service.

This is what God wants from us, hearts that are faithful to Him and to His covenant. If we do not make our hearts steadfast towards the Lord, our repentance will become mere lip service.

Thank God for His Holy Spirit, who helps to make our hearts strong for God and thank Him for the covenant of His word, which we can focus on as we walk in true repentance.

A company of destroying angels

He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. Psalm 78:49 (ESV)

It is good to remember that God has given some of His angels special ministries. As we pray, we can ask God to send a company of destroying angels to defeat the enemy.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 5

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 6:1–81, 1 Tim 4:6–16, Ps 78:13–29

Today’s theme: Sing songs of praise

Today, let us take time to sing songs of praise to the Lord. We are also reminded today, of the value of godliness in our lives and that Jesus will sustain us, as the bread of Heaven.

1 Chronicles 6:1–81

Sing songs of praise

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 1 Chronicles 6:31–32 (ESV)

Ministry in song through Praise and worship, was a large part of life in Israel, for God’s covenant people. Even in the biblical accounts of Heaven, we see the large role singing and praise plays.

Singing praises and worship, should be a large part of our lives too. We should give thanks for those, who like these priests, lead us in praise and worship when we come together. See Colossians 3:16

The songs of Asaph

and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 1 Chronicles 6:39 (ESV)

Asaph was the great writer of many Psalms (songs, hymns and poems), like David.

1 Timothy 4:6–16

The value of godliness

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Although much of this passage is really aimed at those in leadership, there is a theme that we can all benefit from.

We should exercise our spirits by practising godliness. We should have our hope in God our Saviour and so we should work hard. Above all, ensure we are not distracted by silly myths, instead we should keep a close eye on the teaching we receive, ensuring it is sound and that we apply it to our lives.

Psalm 78:13–29

The bread of Heaven

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. Psalm 78:25 (ESV)

The people always called this Manna (what is it), but God had told them it was bread and reminds us here that it was the bread of the angels.

Jesus said of himself in John 6:58, “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Praise songs for today (a player is at the top of each link below)

Back to the Heart of Worship

10,000 Reasons

Oceans

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 4:24–5:26, 1 Tim 4:1–5, Ps 78:1–12

Today’s theme: Trust in our good Creator

God is a good creator, He made this world for us to enjoy and bring glory to Him. We can cry out to Him  in any battle that we  may be going through, knowing that He will hear us, despite  deceptions of demons who want us to see God as weak and unable to help us.

1 Chronicles 4:24–5:26

Cry out to God in the battle

And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 (ESV)

These men were mighty and valiant men, this was not only true physically, but spiritually as well. They put their faith and trust in God and cried out to God in the middle of the battle, God heard and graciously granted their request. We must learn from this, to be valiant in our spirits and minds.

We must put our trust and faith in God. We must open our mouths in the middle of the battle and cry out to God. see John 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Ephesians 6:10–18

1 Timothy 4:1–5

The teaching of demons

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)

Today, we still have to be conscious of this. Ever since Jesus came, the last days have been in motion and we have openly seen the teachings of demons in institutions such as the Roman Catholic church with its “Veneration” of Mary, and the Watchtower Society who say that Jesus is just an Angel. There are also modern day distortions and inversions of the truth in things like the New Age and the Word of Faith Movement.

These false teachings often rely on legalistic frameworks to keep its adherents in bondage, which is why in some cases, it insists on celibacy and in others, an over-emphasis on spiritual exercises such as fasting or being away from normal life and people (monks etc).

We should avoid these types of error and extremism.

God’s good creation

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:4 (ESV)

God’s created order with things like marriage and food, should bring us great pleasure and bring God great glory, as we enjoy these things in thanksgiving and honour to Him.

Our faith is not just spiritual, it has a very real part to play, and affect on the physical world, which does not belong to the devil and was created by God. We should avoid all subtle forms of Gnosticism which says that the spiritual is good and the physical is evil – the bible does not teach this. The physical and spiritual all belong to and were created by God.

Psalm 78:1–12

Teach your children

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Psalm 78:4 (ESV)

We must preserve and spread our faith by teaching it to our children, so that they too will know God in their generation.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 4

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 3:1-4:23, 1 Tim 3:8-16, Ps 77:1-20

Today’s theme: You are not insignificant

Today we learn that like Jabez we are not insignificant but are precious in the Lord’s site and so in Christ can approach God in faith as we pray. We are also reminded that God’s plan for the family leads to human flourishing while man’s deviations only bring pain and frustration.

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23

One wife for life

These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel; 1 Chronicles 3:5 (ESV)

David is an example to us because of his faith in God, his courage, his heart to praise and worship God and to repent. However we have just counted 7 wives. David is an example of how to be a bad father and husband.
From the very beginning God had intended man to have only one wife for life as stated in Genesis 2:24. God also warned the children of Israel of the abusive way that kings would take many wives. In Deuteronomy 17:17 God commands kings not to do this.

The consequences of breaking these laws had dire consequences in David’s very fragmented family.
We see this problem in today’s society where men have a number of children by different women. This has never been God’s design and causes frustration and pain to all involved.

As Christians we must seek to uphold the Christian marriage and family in the midst of a culture which seeks to erode the place of the family and seeks to redefine marriage. See Ephesians 5:25 and Ephesians 6:4.

You are not insignificant

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (ESV)

Contrary to the belief of naturalism and evolution we are not all just insignificant numbers. Each one of us is precious in the sight of God. Jesus said that the very hairs of our heads are numbered in Luke 12:7. We matter to God despite the lies of the enemy. Jabez boldly stands out from the crowd.

In Jesus we can have the boldness and confidence in God to approach God and ask Him to bless us like Jabez. Jesus said “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” In Matthew 21:22 and in John 14:13 “and Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Later in James 4:3 we are reminded that when we ask we must do so in the right spirit “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

So let’s ask God in faith today.

1 Timothy 3:8-16

The Gospel Hymn

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

Paul has just outlined the qualifications of church leaders and has given his reason for doing so in verse 15. He states that we should know how to conduct ourselves as the church and declares the church should be a pillar and buttress of truth.
Now with this ancient hymn about Christ we hear a wonderful summary of that truth found in the gospel message. This is the truth that the church must uphold and defend.

Psalm 77:1-20

Only one true God

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14 (ESV)

Only our God is the true God, He proves it through His wonderful acts.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Timothy 3