Bible In One Year-Day 159 (Sunday, June 08, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles14-16. Without any doubt, David loved the Lord and this could be seen in two ways. Firstly, he moved God’s ark to a place where he had prepared and appointed the right people to take care of it. That is, priestly authority was restored according to the agreement at the point of the covenant. The Levites took over the care of the ark. Not only that, he organized them in ranks and order. In essence, he restored the ark of the Lord and priestly order. Saul never bordered himself about the ark of the Lord in his days. This made a significant difference compared to David’s reign.

Secondly, David, just like Moses, loves doing things according to God’s will. He always inquired of the Lord before engaging in any battle even if the battle was legitimate (1Chron14:10&14). The person who knows how to seek the face of the Lord cannot be defeated. The strength of David lies in seeking the face of God before taking decisions and actions, and this is why David never regretted any battle. Saul was not like that. Saul mostly decided within the figment of his imagination and instead of seeking the Lord in a difficult time, he resorted to seeking evil medium.

Saul was in trouble with God just as David was when he killed Uriah (2Sam12;9-10). However, the difference lies in the steps each took after realizing their mistakes. Saul faced Samuel to plead to God for him while David did not face the prophet but cried to God for mercy himself. God is not interested in the death of a sinner but for him to repent from the bottom of the heart. Saul did not repent but David repented.

How good it is if we could diligently seek His face at all times. The benefits include divine impartation, divine direction, uplifting, unending victory and enduring mercy. Many today lean on their own expertise and understanding only to be frustrated with time. David never fought, despite his skills in warfare, without consulting God. This was what Saul lacked and he found himself in serious errors. You cannot accomplish God’s will with any of your natural senses; rather, you need the Holy Spirit. The scripture encourages us not to lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge God’s help;

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

David experienced the goodness of seeking the face of the Lord and that was why he advised the people in his first Psalms;

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Where Saul failed (ignoring the ark and not seeking the Lord) was the point of David’s elevation. Saul’s point of ridicule was David’s point of praise. Saul’s point of frustration was David’s point of strength and encouragement.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. May His Spirit breathe on us for divine revelation and guidance in the name of Jesus. Our reading for today is 1Chron17-19. Keep the fire burning and alive.