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May 27th

The bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles 26-29 and Psalm 127

We continue to read today of David’s last days as King in Israel. It’s obvious that David thought long and purposeful about the transition necessary for Solomon’s coming reign. In the preparations that David made we see God teaching a nation what it will take to build and sustain the kingdom of Israel.

Now in Psalm 127...“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

God had taught David and Solomon the value of good old fashioned hard work. Building a house, building a marriage, building a family, building a city, building a worshipping community would take some hard work on behalf of the people.

So the people of Israel...God’s people...understood that the work of man had its place. But God would remind them in a song that without God’s work and blessing, they labor in vain who build it. And unless the Lord watches over the city, man’s precautionary measures are useless. To build and sustain the Kingdom of Israel, God would have to be at the center of it...all of it!

A Latin motto says, “Nisi Dominus Frusta”...meaning...”Without the Lord, Frustration.”

By the way it is the motto of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Found on its crest and the official city documents to remind her citizens to seek the Lord about building and expanding the city.

“First things first!” When frustration mounts in our life pursuits, perhaps we need to consider our work. “and make sure” that “God” is at the center of it. To make sure that we recognize Him and thank Him for opening the door to the work...thank Him for the privilege of getting to work with Him...whatever the job...and trust Him for the strength and guidance in the work.

Paul said it like this to the church in Corinth...”Therefore My beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the “work of the Lord”...knowing that your “labor” is not in vain in the Lord.”

In Christ, our labor will never be in vain! So let us abound in working with the Lord. It will be a good tired.

Back to the text...another lesson on what goes into building and sustaining the nation of Israel.

The work of the temple...“These divisions of the “gatekeepers”, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭26:12‬ ‭

The work of the Temple would be divided among the people. Across tribal lines and according to God-given abilities. Some would be “gatekeepers” to the temple. And there would be “chief men”...” leaders” of the divisions of the gatekeepers. And the gatekeepers had specific duties. Serving people who were coming for worship as well as securing the area near their gate of responsibility.

And just as their fellow Israelites from other clans and different ministries, the gatekeepers served in the Temple too.

Continuing in the text...Some would make a distinction between the spiritual work of the temple and the practical work of the temple. They would say that the spiritual work of the temple was of more value to God. But our reading indicates differently...all the different works of the temple were included in one main idea...Israel was one worshipping community. And all were valued the same by God. They may have different ministries...different roles...but none more sacred than another.

The priests had their jobs to do. The gatekeepers had theirs. Both were valuable to the kingdom of God.

And church, we are one worshipping community. All valuable and important to the building up of the body of Christ. Different roles and ministries yes, but God intends to use each and every one us for His great glory and the growing of His church and kingdom. That’s a wow’

Have a great day.