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And the people rejoicedH8055 at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoicedH8055 greatly.
1 Chronicles 29:9 (BSB)
In 1 Chronicles 28, David explains that he had planned to build a great temple to house the ark of the covenant and be God’s dwelling place on earth. However, the Lord told him he would not be allowed to build His house because he was a warrior who had shed blood. Instead, David’s son Solomon, successor to the throne, would have the holy honor of building the temple in Jerusalem—God’s house of prayer. David had the plan and had already begun amassing the materials knowing that Solomon was young and inexperienced. In 1 Chronicles 29:1-8, David assembles all the leaders of Israel and lists the amounts of gold, silver, precious stones, etc. that he has already set aside for building God’s dwelling place. Then he asks them, “Now who will volunteer to consecrate himself to the LORD today?” (1 Chronicles 29:5b). The leaders proceed to donate generously and willingly toward the building of the temple. The people rejoiced that their leaders were giving so selflessly to create the temple as a place to honor, glorify, and worship the God of Israel—the one true God. David was jubilant as well to see that the people exuberantly supported his desire to build a house for the Lord.
In the last few years, we have had the privilege of donating toward renovations in our local place of worship. We rejoice in the ability to contribute and, also, rejoice in those who have the means to contribute more than we do. As a community of believers—the Messianic community—we need to rejoice anytime we see each other honoring God with our time, talents, and financial contributions. There are times God is leading us to improve a building both for safety and aesthetics. There are other times, God impresses us to direct more funds toward community service and missionary efforts. He may lead one person to donate in a different specific area than another person. We should rejoice in generous giving and not judge the giver as long as the intent is to honor God and obey Him. The Israelites were exceedingly glad that all the provisions for building the Lord’s temple were being donated. They did not seem to be criticizing the use of all that wealth to honor God or second guessing the best way to spend that money. They were completely joyful that God’s house would be sacred, spectacular, and splendid because it was to be the center of all Jewish worship.
Father, let our giving toward Your work be joyous and lavish. Help us to rejoice when others give willingly to further Your kingdom on earth. Give us wisdom to know where You would have us contribute both monetarily and with our time.
Worship along with the Gaither Vocal Band singing “Give it Away:”
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoiceH8055. Splendor and majesty are before Him;strength and joyH2304 fill His dwelling. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoiceH1523. Let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’ Then the trees of the forest will sing for joyH7442 before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:10, 27, 31, and 33 (BSB) see also Psalm 105:1-15
H1523 gîyl – a primitive root; properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:—be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. (9)
Strong, James, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
David composed this Psalm glorifying the Lord after placing the ark of the covenant in its tabernacle in Jerusalem. Glory—brag on—God’s name! Let those who have their focus on the Lord purposefully, lavishly, and extravagantly celebrate Him. If we desire to be strong, then we must seek, study, and find out what brings the Lord jubilation. What gives Him pleasure? If we are God’s children and His most prized possession—His precious jewels—and if giving Him pleasure is our whole purpose in life, then His purpose will be to make us strong. Knowing that God is sovereignly powerful should surely give us the confidence that He can extend that strength to us, His beloved children. If the heavens and the inhabitants thereof are jubilant over what God has done and is doing—if the very land is having a party—how much more should we who are living on the earth take part in the same? Let the sea exclaim and the fields raise exultations of the Lord. Then the trees of the earth make melody where they are planted. How much more should we make a joyful noise to the cadence of His praise?
When I was feeling blue and inadequate because of my physical limitations, the Lord made it clear to me that as far as He is concerned, the most accomplished athlete is no more favored than I am. We are on equal ground as far as the Lord’s ability to glorify Himself though us. God gives me (Susan) the strength to choose to live joyfully for Him in the midst of my multitude of thorns (aka physical challenges). I am living proof of the reality of God’s enablement to infuse joy into the ones He loves. God enables me (Susie) to overcome my thorn (clinical depression) in order to serve Him joyfully and share His joy with others. He gave me an incredible gift by bringing Susan into my life to inspire me to rise above the circumstances and rejoice in His goodness. As Paul wrote, God’s strength is made perfect in humanity’s weaknesses:
So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10
It is His desire to perfect His strength and place His joy in all those who know Him intimately. God is giving you an invitation to the party celebrating His goodness. How will you R.S.V.P?
Father, fill us with joy overflowing so that the earth cannot outdo us in celebrating You!