Hebrews 11:11-40 Again -  "faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen".  Every example given in this chapter is a witness.. a testimony of men and women who lived by faith... assured of God's promises to them... even when they could not see it or would not see it this side of heaven. 

Sarah was assured that she would conceive a child.. even though she was past child bearing age.  Her hope was in God who made the promise, believing He was faithful. Abraham believed God's promise to multiply his descendants.. even as he prepared to offer Isaac on an altar.  His hope remained in God's promise. 

Isaac "blessed Jacob and Esau".  His hope was in God's plan for their futures.  Jacob passed down that blessing onto his sons.. with hope for God's promise to be fulfilled in them.  Joseph continued in faith, believing that Israel's future would be in the land that God promised to Abraham.  He was so sure of it that he "gave orders concerning his bones." 

The parents of Moses acted by faith, hiding him for three months, putting their hope in God's promises. Moses' life was built on faith..assured that God would fulfill His promise to set His people free.  "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen." (v27) 

By faith the Israelites followed the Lord's command to march around Jericho's walls. By faith Rahab waited to be rescued. They believed and then... they saw it happen. 

Yet, not everyone saw the promise fulfilled before their eyes. Some did and some just kept waiting. 

By faith we wait on God.. to bring us to the place He has prepared for us. We are assured that what we hope for - eternal life with Jesus..  forever in the presence of our God..in that unseen City.. will happen... if... we "lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us... "  and if we "run with endurance the race that is set before us... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith .."  (12:1-2)

Father, by faith we come to You.. to worship You and honor Your name, to seek Your will and Your Kingdom.  Help us to imitate the faith of these witnesses.  Help us to keep waiting on You, assured that You will do what You have promised. We are fixing our eyes on Jesus. We are striving to walk by faith and to set aside all those things that try to trip us up. Help us in our weaknesses. Lead us in righteousness and deliver us from evil. Help us to trust in Your Word-  that we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us.. and that together we are in You. Help us to hold fast.. to endure.. and to keep running the race.. until that Day when what is unseen will finally be seen.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 11:1-10

  "Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see." (CJB)  Faith in God means to confidently trust Him.  Our hope is in the complete Truth of God's Word.. for eternal salvation.. which we cannot see yet; but live for.. yearn for.. and yield our lives to.. 

Our understanding of God, the Creator, is an act of faith.  God spoke the world into being. There was nothing.. and He spoke and it became earth. Light was spoken into existence. We.. were spoken into existence. 

We are given the testimonies of those who had faith.. who believed God's Word and lived in accordance with it. 

Abel believed God.  His offering attested to his belief. He believed God and offered a sacrifice that expressed his faith. His offering was accepted by God who declared him righteous. 

Enoch believed God.  He walked in a way that was "pleasing to God".  Because of his faith, Enoch was taken to heaven without seeing death. 

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.""  (v6) 

Noah also believed God.  He heeded God's warning that a flood was coming. He followed God's instructions and built an ark.  He obeyed God because he trusted God's Word to him. 

Abraham believed God. He left his home and traveled into an "alien" land.  He didn't even know where he was going, but he trusted God to lead him. 

We are given these examples so that we can know that God can be trusted.. that we can believe His Word and "hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." 

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us faith to believe.. a gift... that we cannot even begin to fathom its depths..  May we be like these who have borne witness to us by their lives of faith in You.  We want to live lives that please You.. lives of faith. No matter what lies ahead.. the unseen things here on earth.. keep our hearts fixed on Jesus, and on that city "which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  Fill us Holy Spirit we pray, in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

 Hebrews 10:26-39 

 The opposite of holding fast to the "confession of our hope without wavering".. is to go on "sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth".  The writer of Hebrews warns his readers that this will result in severe punishment.. a "terrifying expectation of judgement" for having "trampled under foot the Son of God".  God Himself will judge His people. And ... "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (v31)

We have need of "endurance", the writer tells us.  Like the original audience.. we must endure being made a "public spectacle".  We must endure "reproaches and tribulations".  We must learn sympathy for our fellow prisoners of the faith. We must even show joy in the trials.  For we know that we have "a better possession and an abiding one."  

Keep living by faith.  Keep choosing the Truth. Keep trusting His promises.  "Hold fast" instead of  shrinking back.  Keep proclaiming your "confession of hope". 

Father in heaven,  I have been made whole.. perfected.. sanctified.. by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  You have written Your laws on my heart and in my mind.  By Your Spirit, who lives in me.. I can keep holding fast to this confession. I trust You to forgive my sins and remember them no more.  I can come into Your presence.. drawing near with a "full assurance of faith".. for my heart has been sprinkled clean.. and You are faithful.  This is my confession of hope in Christ Jesus.  Help me to keep holding fast and to never turn away from the Truth.  I am Yours... in the Name that is above every other name.. the name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Hebrews 10:19-25  Jesus gave us this "new and living way" to enter "the holy place".. the place where God is present.  It is through His flesh.. the veil torn.. the mercy seat open to all who will come.  Jesus, our wonderful priest brings us near.. so "let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." 

We "draw near" - approach, consent..come to Him.  It is a choice that we make.. that we are able to make because He has provided this "new and living way".  It is a choice that we must make.. an act of our will.. deliberate and honest.. from a "sincere heart".  The heart is our center.. our center of thought and feeling.. the core of our being.  We must be sincere and  true. No pretending or pretense.  No play acting.  We come with "full assurance of faith".  Complete confidence: persuaded and convinced that we can believe and trust in these truths.. whereby we are cleansed and made pure. 

Again the writer exhorts us to "hold fast" ( see Hebrews 3)  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."  We can hold fast to Him, because He is Faithful and True.

Willingly, completely, purposefully, and assuredly.. we hold on to Jesus. 

Father in heaven, You are our Creator and our God. We honor Your holy Name.  We give You praise and thanksgiving.. for You have made a way for us to come into Your very Presence through Jesus Christ our Savior and Priest.  We come to worship You. We come to love and cherish You.  We want to know You more and to be united with You in heart, soul, and spirit. We cannot do any of this on our own, but we come because Jesus has given us Life.  Your Spirit has come to abide in us and lead us into a life of faith and holiness.  By Your power and might we can love one another... we can do "good deeds".. we can encourage one another as we see "the day drawing near".  May Your will be done in us, may Your Kingdom come, and may Your Name be honored and exalted in all the earth. We pray these things in the Name of our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

 Hebrews 10:1-20  The writer continues to take us deeper into the Truth... we have left the "elementary" teachings for more mature thinking.. yet it all still focuses on the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done.  The gospel tells us that Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins.  Here, we are taught why this had to happen. 

The Law was only "a shadow of the good things to come".  God revealed His definition of good and evil in the Law.  He told us what sin was.. the consequences for sin.. and the way to find forgiveness for sin - the need for blood to be shed, a sacrifice made.  Since these sacrifices could not "make perfect" - men continued to sin and more sacrifices became necessary.. "year by year".  Eventually, these sacrifices became undesirable to God.  They even became offensive to Him because they were made without faith and there was no repentance, no love, no worship.. no restoration of a relationship between man and God. 

Jesus came to change that.   He came  to do the will of God. .."Behold, I have come to do Thy will, O God".  He came to offer "one sacrifice for sins for all time.."  It is by His sacrifice -"we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all". ( v10)  He "sat down at the right Hand of God..  for by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." (v13-14). It IS finished.. and it is perfect. 

This is God's New Covenant with us - complete forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ... " a new and living way" by which we pass through "the veil"... "into the holy place by the blood of Jesus". It is faith in this sacrifice.. the once for all, perfect offering.. the blood shed by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,  that we are sanctified, set apart, consecrated.. made holy.

Father in heaven, we hallow Your Name. Holy, holy, holy.. Lord God Almighty!  How amazing is Your grace and love for us.. that  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  You have called us out of darkness. You have broken our chains. You have given us Life.. You have "perfected" us for all time...  Sanctifying us through the offering of the Body of Jesus.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, who bears witness to our souls, these great truths.. that we might "draw near" and nearer still.. to You.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 9  This chapter compares the original covenant to the new covenant in regards to the tabernacle. The original tabernacle prepared by Moses who adhered to God's commands.  It was a copy of the real thing,,, and the REAL thing is "not of this creation"..(v11)

Jesus "entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle".  He entered through "His own blood", not through blood of animals. He entered "the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption"... not needing to suffer over and over.

"Once for all..."  The perfect High Priest. The perfect sacrifice. The perfect covenant. The perfect Redeemer.  "...so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." (v28) 

Father in heaven, we await the Day of Christ's glorious appearing.  We are listening for the sound of the trumpet and the fulfillment of all the promises of God.  We pray that more people will come to put their faith in You, through Jesus Christ, for it is in Him that we find repentance and forgiveness of sins. It is in Jesus that we have hope of eternal glory. It is in Jesus, our great High Priest, that we live and love and worship at Your throne. Cleanse our consciences from "dead works" that we might "serve the living God" with all our hearts and minds and strength. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Hebrews 8   Jesus, our high priest, has "taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens..."   That thought has captured me.. Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John.. all had visions of that throne.. where the Majesty - God of Glory, sits amidst the living creatures, the angels, and the redeemed.  It is our High Priest, the One who is our Savior, our Mediator, our King.. Jesus who sits at the favored place.. at the right hand of the Most High. We cannot see God and live. We can not approach Him on our own.   But, in Christ Jesus, our High Priest, we can enter in.. we can "draw near". For Jesus has "obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises." (v6) 

The first covenant was enacted at Mount Sinai. It was a covenant between God and Israel.  It is a covenant that did not continue, because Israel broke their promises. They failed to keep their vows.  That covenant  became "obsolete".  It became old.  It disappeared. 

The new covenant has been enacted through Jesus.  God's promises this  " I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen... for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (v10-12) 

Matthew Henry says it this way.. " God once wrote his laws to his people, now he will write his laws in them;  he will give them understanding to know and to believe his laws; he will given them memories to retain them; he will give them hearts to love them, courage to profess them, and power to put them in practice." 

Father in heaven, like Isaiah and Ezekiel and John..  we cannot stand before You.. but fall on our faces at even the thought of Your Majesty.  We come to You only through Jesus, our Mediator, the Blessed One who has called us His friends, His brothers and sisters.. as He has reconciled us to You by His own sacrifice on the cross.  You have made this covenant with us..  we who are the least.. to show us Your mercy, to wipe away our sins.. and to make us Your own people, forever and ever.  All praise and glory belongs to You, O Lord our God. Help us to walk by the power of Your Holy Spirit in faith, in love, and in obedience to Your Word.  In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

 Hebrews 6-7  The writer was not kidding when he wrote that he was leaving behind the "elementary teaching" and "pressing on to maturity"..  This whole section deals with Christ "having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek". Weighty stuff.. 

According to the Law, only descendants of Aaron could be priests.  But, it is according to an oath.. an oath sworn by God, Himself.. that Christ was made a "priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek " (v20)

We are reminded here that God made a promise to Abraham, and "since He could swear by no one greater He swore by Himself.."  to multiply his descendants.  This promise was fulfilled.  The writer encourages his readers to "realize the full assurance of hope until the end".  It took faith and patience for Abraham. It will take faith and patience for us too... to wait on God.. for He will fulfill His promises.  This is the "hope we have as an anchor of the soul and one which enters within the veil."  (v19)

God cannot lie and He does not change. Therefore we can "hold on to the hope set before us." The hope we have is a "better hope" because it is anchored in Jesus, whose life is "indestructible"; whose priesthood is forever; whose salvation is complete; and through Whom we can "draw near to God". 

"Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant".(7:22)  He "abides forever" (v24) and "holds His priesthood permanently".  He is a high priest who "is fitting" - He is "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens." (v26).  He does not need to offer continual sacrifices, for He " did once for all when He offered up Himself." (v27)  Appointed according the the oath, the sworn promise of God, the Son is our perfect high priest.. forever

Father in heaven, how perfect are Your ways!  How wonderful Your works! We thank You for giving us such a Great High Priest!  O that we will grasp the hope set before us more and more. Help us to follow the example of Abraham.. and with faith and patience trust You to completely fulfill all Your precious promises.  You promise that  Jesus will come again to take us Home.. to be with You forever... and this is our blessed hope.  You have promised that You would fulfill Your purposes for us, so help us to rest in that Truth. Help us Lord to stop struggling, stop trying to do it ourselves.. but to hold fast to these promises, knowing and completely assured that You are able to do even more than we can ask or imagine.  Praise God! Amen and amen!

 Hebrews 5 -Jesus, our high priest - was "Begotten" by the Father.  It was God's decision to produce a Son.. to send Him into Mary's womb as a Babe.  It was God's decision to appoint Jesus to be "a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek".  It was God's decision that Jesus suffer.. in obedience to His will.. to become  "to all who obey Him the source of eternal salvation." 

The life of Christ Jesus on earth was one of complete obedience and holiness.  His death was one of complete surrender.. to "learn obedience".. to be "made perfect".. to become the perfect high priest who knows full well how weak us humans are..how much we need someone to mediate for us.. how much we need grace and mercy. 

God took the initiative to send His only Begotten Son.  He took the initiative to appoint Him as High Priest forever. He took the initiative so that the gift of salvation could be ours.. if we will just believe it and receive Him. 

Father, we thank You for not giving up on us and for sending us Your Son to take away our sins so that we will not perish but have Life.  May we bask in the Light of Your glory and grace. May we "rest" in Jesus Christ our Lord.  All glory and honor and praise belongs to You. amen. 

 Hebrews 4   "Rest" - Something we need; something we long for; something we are actually desperate for.. but often feel unable to grasp...

We are told that God Himself "rested" on the seventh day after completing His creation.  We are told that there is a "rest" that we need to enter into by faith.  The writer here even urges us to "be diligent to enter the rest" (v11).  So, how do we go about it?

The Greek word translated "rest" is katapausis - it means to settle down; to cease- to come to an end;  it is an abode - a place to live. 

The Word tells us that "a promise remains of entering His rest" (v1)  Yet, we must be careful to not "come short of it".   The example of the Israelites in the wilderness is given - they "had good news preached" to them - A promised land; God, Himself dwelling with them; victory over their enemies; abundance of joy and peace and provision.  But, they didn't believe. They didn't obey. So, they could not enter His rest. 

The word tells us that there is still good news for us...  "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God." (v9)  It is for those "who have believed" (v3).  It is  "for the one who has.. himself also rested from his works, as God did from His."  To trust and obey - is still the only way we can truly enter His rest.  And it is God who enables us to do it. 

He gives us the "word of God.. living and active - to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  He sees us completely "...all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  

He gives us "Jesus the Son of God", our great high priest, who can "sympathize with our weaknesses" and who brings us to "the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." 

Jesus said, "Abide in me"  Stay, endure, be present.. rest. " If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." 

Let the Word of God do its work in your thoughts and heart.  Surrender all the things you think are hidden from God's sight, realizing He knows it all anyway.  Trust in the One who has interceded on your behalf.  And come to the "throne of grace."

Father in heaven, how awesome it is that we can come boldly to Your throne - the exalted throne of heaven, surrounded by radiance and beauty, with worshiping angels and elders; in the midst of lightning, thunder and majestic glory - and find grace and receive mercy.  You have led us into Your rest through Jesus Christ in Whom we abide. Thank You, Lord.  Help us to hold fast, to be diligent, to stay, to settle down.. here.. in You.  Help us believe. Help us to obey.  We desire to "hold fast our confession"  - Jesus Christ is Lord.  It is in Him and by His Name that we come to seek Your face and Your help..  amen. 

 Hebrews 3 Twice in this chapter, the writer exhorts us to "hold fast.. until the end". (v6,14)... to remember and not forget, to cling to -  "confidence".. "hope".. "assurance". To hold onto Jesus.. "the Apostle and High Priest of our confession." 

Hold fast to Jesus.  For a hardened heart will provoke God(v8); because an unbelieving heart will make you fall away from Him (v12); and because a disobedient heart will keep you from entering "His rest". (v18-19)

The Israelites heard God's voice. They saw His glory in the cloud that surrounded Mount Sinai. They experienced His provision of manna.. daily!  But, they did not "hold fast". They didn't remember. They didn't trust Him. They hardened their hearts.. just like Pharaoh.  How tragic! 

It happens too often. 

The Word here tells us to "take care" - we must take action against having an "evil, unbelieving heart". One way we can do this by encouraging "one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today'".

Encourage someone today.. to hold on to their confidence in Jesus Christ.  Encourage each other today to  have hope! Encourage each other today to have firm assurance in their partnership with Jesus Christ.  Encourage each other today to not harden their hearts, but to trust in Jesus Christ, the great High Priest who stands with us, bringing us to the throne of grace where we can find help in times of need. We all need to hear this.. don't we? Take care to just "do it"!

Father in heaven, You are the builder "of all things".  You have made us Your House, with Christ our Leader and Lord. We have become "partakers of Christ".. what an amazing Truth! May we hold fast to Jesus.. today.. and every day. Help us to take care, to encourage one another, and to stand firm on Christ the Solid Rock.  Clothe us with this Truth that we bind around us. Cover us with the Righteousness of our Lord Jesus, who paid the price for us. Thank You for being our helmet of salvation that covers our heads in the battle. May we stand firm in the Peace that You have provided, ready to share the good news with those who need to hear it. We take up our shields of faith, believing that You have already overcome the fiery darts of the enemy. We take up the sword of Your Spirit.. the Word of God, and we pray.. Let Your name be honored; Let Your kingdom come; and Let Your will be done on earth, in us, as it is in heaven. In the Name of Jesus we ask for daily bread, for forgiveness of all unbelief, for deliverance from all evil, and for guidance in our walk with You today. To Thy glory and honor forever. Amen. 

 Hebrews 2:10-18 

The fact that God sent His Son to become a man.. a human being.. is amazing in itself.. but that He came "to make propitiation for the sins of the people" is beyond my comprehension .  The Word here says "..it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings." ( v10)  Jesus, on the road to Emmaus, said, "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" (Luke 24:26)

It was fitting, it was necessary.. for Jesus to become a human being, so He could suffer and die.. to complete all that was necessary to bring us salvation.. to be the "author of [our] salvation".   He came to become one of us. To walk in our shoes. To live in our world. To experience the power of temptation. To "share in flesh and blood"  ...with us.. 

And, in His sharing, He rendered "powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;" 

Hallelujah! He has delivered us from the "domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.." ( Colossians 1:13).  He has delivered us from the "fear of death" that made us "subject to slavery all [our] lives" ( Hebrews 3:15). 

"Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." (v17)

Father in heaven,  truly Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.. as the heavens are higher than the earth.  It was "necessary".. that Jesus came to be a human being, that He died on a cross.. the only sacrifice that is able to take away all the sins of the people. O that every human being would know the Truth and find the Hope that is in You.  Jesus paid it all!  All to Him we owe! "Sin had left a crimson stain"... and He washed it "white as snow"!  Praise to You, God, our Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit who teaches us, fills us, and leads us in righteousness and truth. Amen. 

 Hebrews 2:1-9 

 "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard..."  Because Jesus has spoken God's final words.. because He is the "appointed heir".. because He is the "radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature".. because He made everything and upholds everything .. because His reign will never end.. because of Who He is, we must listen to Him carefully and continually so we will not "drift away." 

Jesus has provided "so great a salvation"!  He spoke it, the disciples taught it, and it was "confirmed to us by those who heard. God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." 

Jesus has authority over "all things".  There is nothing that God the Father has not made subject to Jesus. Because He suffered and died, He was "crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." 

Father, enable us to pay close attention to Your Word.. to Jesus Christ, the living Word.. to drink this Living Water and to taste the Bread of Heaven.  We are thankful that You have given to us, by Your amazing grace, such a "great salvation" through the sacrifice of Your only Begotten Son, who tasted death for each of us. We give You praise! We bow in worship! Our hearts are filled with joy because of Your great love for us. Help us to keep our minds steadfast on these truths that we will truly not drift away. We pray this in the Name that is above every other name, the name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Hebrews 1  " In days gone by, God spoke in many and varied ways to the fathers through the prophets. but now, in the [last days], he has spoken to us through his Son, to whom he has given ownership of everything and through whom he created the universe." ( v1-2 CJB) 

Jesus is the "radiance of His glory..." the "Sh'khinah" - the "very expression of God's essence" - He is the Light.. the Brightness.. the Brilliance..of God. 

Jesus is the Son of God. Angels may have been called "sons of God", but Jesus is the only One to be called the Son. He has been given all authority.  He has been given a Name above every other name. He has been given a seat at the right hand of the Father.. a throne forever.. a victory that is certain as all His enemies will be "a footstool for [His] feet." 

Jesus "upholds all things by the word of His power".   He made it all. He owns it all. And He keeps it all- He carries it, bears it - upholds it. All of creation.. ALL of it. 

Jesus "made purification of sins" - He cleanses us and makes us pure and whole and righteous.  He is the only One who can. 

Father in heaven, we praise You and we praise the Son! Help us Holy Spirit to grasp the greatness of our God.  Help us to see You more clearly, to loveYou more deeply, and to serve You always.  As the Psalmist wrote.."Let them praise the name of Adonai, for his name is above both earth and heaven. He has increased the power of his people, granted praise to all his faithful." ( Psalm 148:13-14)  You have given us the ability to praise.. and that is powerful.  May we truly praise You with all of our hearts. Amen.

 I Chronicles 29 This final chapter sums up David's provisions for the House of the Lord.. so much gold and silver and bronze, etc.  He gave more from his personal belongings and when he asked who else was willing to give.. they did.. and they all rejoiced!  David's prayer, recorded here is another one that we can learn from and pray for our own generation..

"Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of Israel our father forever and ever. Thine O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all." ( v 11)  David goes on to praise the Lord, confessing that everything they were able to give had come from His Hand.. and that even the willingness to give was from Him too.  "Since I know, O my God, that Thou tries the heart and delightest in uprightness, I , in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Thy people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to Thee." (v17)

David makes these two requests to the Lord.. "preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Thy people, and direct their heart to Thee; and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Thy commandments.." (v18-19) 

".. preserve the intentions".. the thoughts of the heart - David prays that the people of God would continue to direct their hearts.. willingly.. to serve and give and worship the Lord their God.  This prayer is my prayer for the Church, the Body of Christ - that our hearts would keep "stayed" on Him who gives perfect peace, the One in whom we trust.  May our hearts be ever thinking about our Lord.. to keep Him first, to trust Him fully, to continually worship Him with all praise and thanksgiving and to always give willingly and joyfully to His glory. 

"..give my son.. a perfect heart to keep Thy commandments.."  - a wholeheartedness to obey the will and instruction of God's Word.  What a bold thing to ask!  Lord, give my child a "perfect heart".. a heart to obey, to walk in truth and faith, to fully surrender to the will of God.  This is a powerful prayer!

Father in heaven, You are great and Your power is vast; Your wisdom is beyond understanding.  You have determined the number of stars and You call them by name.  Nothing is impossible for You.  We sing Your praises and exalt Your Holy Name.  Father, we pray, like David, that You would preserve the hearts of Your people.. keep us from slipping, keep us from compromising with the culture of our world, and keep us from neglecting Your Word and Your Spirit.  You are our salvation.. the protecting helmet  that shields our heads in the battle for our souls. Keep our thoughts captive to Christ Jesus, that we might be fully Yours. We pray for our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, that they might have perfect hearts to keep Your Word, to love You with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  We ask these things in the name of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 I Chronicles 24-28  David not only provided the plans and the resources for building the temple, but he organized the priests and Levites, the leaders of each tribe, and the military.  He had counselors and treasurers, managers and overseers...  He prepared everything so that Solomon could accomplish the full establishment of the kingdom of Israel.. all that Solomon needed to do was "be courageous and act". (28:10)

David's charge to Solomon is an inspiration for prayer.. "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever." (v9)

This is the prayer I pray for my family too. 

Father,  You reign forever.  You are the God of every generation.  You are our help and our hope is in You.  Lord, You secure justice for the oppressed.  You give food to the hungry. You set prisoners free.  You open blind eyes and lift up the downtrodden.  You sustain the widow and the orphan and help the stranger.  You love us and have given us all that we have.Thank You ! Father, we pray for our families that they would serve You with whole hearts and willing minds. We pray that they will seek You and that You will let them find You.  We pray that they will not reject You, but humble themselves before You and find salvation in Christ Jesus who has sacrificed His own blood for our redemption. All glory and honor and praise we give to You. Amen. 

 I Chronicles 22-23  David's desire to build the house of the Lord never stopped, even though he knew it would be his son that would actually do it.  So, David prepared.. he prepared the materials, he prepared the workers, and he prepared his son, Solomon. 

I can't even imagine the amount of work that went into this temple. Stones, wood, bronze, gold, silver, iron.. ".. the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all the lands.."  David declared.  "So David made ample preparations before his death." (v5)

David also prepared the workers. "..stonecutters and masons of stone, and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work."  He prepared the Levites too.  Since the Levites would no longer have to carry the tabernacle, their duties were "to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God."  They took care of the showbread and they were called to "stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord and likewise at evening." 

David prepared Solomon for this great responsibility.  He taught Solomon that God had promised to bring rest to Israel so that he could focus on this task. He prayed for Solomon and encouraged him.. "Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God."  He exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous, to not be dismayed or fearful, and to "set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God..."

When David died, all was ready for his dream to be fulfilled. And it was so. 

So, why is this important to us? The temple was built and then destroyed.  It was rebuilt and destroyed again. Another temple was built and that one was destroyed too. We know that God never needed a building, even one magnificent, famous, or glorious. We also know that God had a plan and a purpose at work here.  The temple was meant to point to the One who would fulfill its purpose. Jesus Christ came to be the great High Priest, the final sacrifice, and the True King.   Jesus was not impressed by the temple building.  He was furious that they had made it into a market place instead of the house of prayer that it was supposed to be.  When the Jews asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority to cleanse the Temple, He replied, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."  He wasn't talking about a building, but about His own body.. the True House of God. 

Father,  I pray that You will give us, Your servants, discretion and understanding, to do the work that You have called us to do.  May we preserve and obey Your word. May we seek You with all our heart and soul every day. May we stand every morning and evening to thank and praise You. May we be pure and holy as the temple of the Holy Spirit ought to be. We ask this in the Name of our Lord and King, Jesus, Amen. 

 I Chronicles 18-20  " And the Lord helped David wherever he went."  ( 18:6; 13)  David became a great king with victory after victory. He faced every challenge and encouraged his people to do the same.  He continually honored the Lord and the Lord blessed him and all of Israel because of it. 

Yet, we know that David failed to be perfect. Just like us.  "Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel." ( 21:1)   This census was not commanded by the Lord.  It was all David's idea and even Joab was against it. Because of this sin against God, David was given a choice  of three judgements - 3 years of famine, 3 months of defeat against his enemies, or 3 days "the sword of the Lord". David chose "the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great.." 

70,000 men of Israel fell.  The angel of the Lord stood over Jerusalem with His sword drawn to destroy it. But, God stopped Him.  It is at this spot that David, after purchasing the land, built an altar. It is at this spot that the future temple would be built. It is at this spot.. on Mount Moriah, where Abraham had once stood, prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.  

Father, we don't always understand why things happen the way they do, but we believe, like David,  that You always have mercy on us when we trust in You.  I'm so thankful that Your mercies are new every morning! As Your Word says.. "Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness." ( Lamentations 3:21-23)  We hope in You, Lord God.  You are our portion. You are good.  You are merciful.  I pray for Your "new mercies" this morning.. for those who are suffering, for those who are weary, and for those who have no hope.  We put our trust in You, Lord, knowing that You will bring perfect peace to those who keep their minds on You. Help us to do just that today, please Lord. Great are You Lord and greatly to be praised! Amen. 

 I Chronicles 17   David's love and devotion to the Lord was expressed in his desire to build house for the Lord.  Yet, God's response was "No".   Instead, the Lord makes a promise to David, to build him a house.. a kingdom.. that would never end.. ".. I will set up one of your descendants after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build Me a house and I will establish his throne forever.  I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My lovingkindness away from him... but I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever." (v11-14)

We know that it was Solomon who built the temple.. but it is Jesus who is King forever.  David simply believed that God would do all that He said and rejoiced in His promises.  But, Solomon turned away from God and his descendants all failed to live up to their potential...  Until, Jesus came. 

It is in Jesus that all the promises made to David will be fulfilled.  Hebrews 1 tells us that it is Jesus who , "has inherited a more excellent name.. " It is of Jesus that the Psalmist wrote (quoted in Hebrews 1:8) "But of the Son, He says, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter of His kingdom.." 

David said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that Thou has brought me this far?" And it is Jesus who was "made.. for a little while lower than the angels;"  and then ".. crowned.. with glory and honor... and appointed.. over the works of [His] Hands".  It is to Jesus that all things are subjected.. "He left nothing that is not subject to him.."  Jesus, our great High Priest, will never fail to reign.. for He has fulfilled all the Law and has received all of the promises given to David.  As the writer in Hebrews said, "let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (4:14b NIV).

Father in heaven, we are so thankful for such a King as this.. Jesus Christ, perfect in holiness, in love, and in everything.. to the glory of Your Name.  Thank You that every promise that You make, You will fulfill. Help us to have the kind of faith that David had.. to trust and to obey... to be thankful and to praise You always.  May Your Kingdom come, Lord, and Your will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven.  We draw near with confidence to Your throne of grace that we might receive both mercy and grace in our time of need. We need You every hour, Lord God! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.