DAY 155
Old Testament reading: 1 Chronicles 16-17
“David’s Song of Thanksgiving.” This song was delivered by David himself into the hand of Asaph and his brethren after the ark of God was returned to the tabernacle. These men were Levites, who were given charge to serve before the ark of the Lord, “to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel” (v 4). Our worship should reflect these same three emphases. We should always be mindful of what God has done for us (Ps 103:2). We should give thanks in every thing (1 Th 5:18). We should offer up to him our continual praise (Heb 13:15). There are many wonderful lines in this song, but one section that stands out is the closing refrain of verses 34-36: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. And say, ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together and deliver us from the Gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.’ Blessed be the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!” I love the line following this closing stanza – “And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.”
New Testament reading: 2 Corinthians 6-10
“The exceeding great and precious promises of God” (2 Pet 1:4). 2 Corinthians 7:1 encourages us to perfect holiness in view of the promises of God found in chapter 6 verses 16-18. Paul introduces these promises by exalting the Divine nature as being completely incompatible with any and all forms of unbelief and its associated darkness. Consider Paul’s extensive list of incompatible positions and ideas: righteousness and lawlessness; light and darkness; Christ and Belial (Satan); believers and infidels; the temple of God (true worship) with idolatry. In light of this, those who would be called children of God and call the Lord of Heaven their Father must be diligent to eradicate every vestige of filth from their flesh (deeds) and spirit (thoughts), bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). With great privilege comes great responsibility. Being called a child of God is no small matter and must not be entered into nor taken lightly.
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