INTERESTING FACTS : JOHN HANCOCK, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS

 

"SENSIBLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN PIETY AND VIRTUE TO THE ORDER AND HAPPINESS OF A STATE, I CANNOT BUT EARNESTLY COMMEND TO YOU EVERY MEASURE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT." HE CALLED ON THE ENTIRE STATE TO PRAY "THAT UNIVERSAL HAPPINESS MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN THE WORLD [AND] THAT ALL MAY BOW TO THE SCEPTER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE WHOLE EARTH BE FILLED WITH HIS GLORY."

 

DAILY READING : 1 CHRONICLES 22 - 24

 

TEXT : 1Chr 22:13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

 

THEME : CONDITIONS TO PROMISES

 

As we continue to read the varying account of [David's] life, I recommend you to the Summarized Bible that gives you an outline of chapters 22 - 24 to help you with your reading. I will restrict my remarks to the Truth for Today, below.

 

1 Chronicles 20:1-8

 

Contents: Joab and David take Rabbah. War with Philistines.

 

Characters: David, Joab, Sibbechai, Sippai, Jonathan, Elhanan.

 

Conclusion: The power and pride of great men against us need not terrify us if we have the power and peace of God with us. God takes pleasure in abasing lofty looks and mortifying the giants who array themselves against Christianity.

 

Key Word: War, 1Ch_20:4.

 

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

 

Contents: David's sin in numbering the people. Joab's faithful protest. David's choice of punishment.

 

Characters: God, Satan, David, Joab, Gad, Ornan, angel (Jesus).

 

Conclusion: God does not judge of sin as we do. What appears to man to be but a small offense may be a great sin in the eyes of God who knows men's principles, being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. His judgments are according to the truth.

 

Key Word: Sin, 1Ch_21:8.

 

Strong Verses: 1Ch_21:8, 1Ch_21:13.

 

Striking Facts: 1Ch_21:18. If we have sinned, the safest thing to do is to flee to Christ, who is an altar and sacrifice, for through Him alone there is hope of winning back the joy of salvation and getting favor with God.

 

1 Chronicles 22:1-19

 

Contents: Material prepared for the temple. David instructs Solomon in God's promises. Princes charged to assist Solomon.

 

Characters: God, David, Solomon.

 

Conclusion: Nothing is more powerful to engage us in any service for God than to know that hereunto we were appointed by God. Where God gives rest He expects work (1Ch_22:9-10) let us therefore be invigorated for Christian service.

 

Key Word: Temple, 1Ch_22:10.

 

Strong Verses: 1Ch_22:13, 1Ch_22:19.

 

Striking Facts: Everything about the temple was to be stately and magnificent, being a type of Christ in whom all fullness dwells and in whom are hid all treasures.

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "WE MUST APPRECIATE THE WORD "IF" WHEN REFERRING TO GOD'S WORD!"

 

In 1st Chronicles 2:13, we see a charge given to Solomon by his father David similar to the one God gave Joshua. That is - "be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."

 

In Joshua 1:6 - 7 we read: "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest."

 

This is a principle of God given to everyone who will work, or do work for Him. Courage is indispensable for the people of God, particularly the leaders of the Church. Along with integrity, honesty, purity, devotion to duty, etc. courage is not a luxury few enjoy, but rather a necessity all must possess. There has never been a period of history when doing the work of the Lord was easy - in one way or another, but we have a unique challenge today to be fearless and valiant. Like Solomon's task to build the Temple, we too are charged with building the Church, of which we are all "living stones."

 

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

1Pe 2:3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1Pe 2:4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1Pe 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

In other words, we must build ourselves in the faith, for by so doing, we build God's Temple. This takes courage, as well as an understanding of the word "if." It is only two letters long, and is among the smallest of all English words. Yet, it holds more sway over what becomes of us, what we will or will not accomplish, and what will or will not receive [e.g. in prayer] than most other English words of lengthier size. It is a small word with powerful consequences and remarkable potential.

 

Solomon was strong and courageous in building the Temple, no doubt. However, he also built the Temple in a period of rest from war, unlike other kings who would follow. Certainly, building the first Temple in a period of rest was easier that Nehemiah's task of re-building during troublesome times and many opponents. Nevertheless, Solomon's task took courage, and he was faithful in completing his work. It is remarkably sad when we read of Solomon's horrible defection from the faith of his father, and the principles of the Holy Scriptures on which the Temple was built, and for what it represented. The blessing that Solomon started with was withdrawn from his life as he continually departed from God and His ways as he went further away from God in his apostasy. Thus, we have the word "if" to consider.

 

"If my people...," "If ye have faith...," "If ye will obey my commands..." This is what we must fully appreciate, this word "if." If is the condition to receive God's promises, be endued with His power, walk in victory over the flesh, the world, and Satan etc. "If " is without doubt, an influential and authoritative word! For some, it is a troublesome word, because many "presume" on various promises and principles of Scripture without realizing the condition - "if."

 

For instance, Jesus said in Matthew_21:21  "...If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." Notice the condition is faith without doubt. We notice the same principle written by James, the Lord's brother.

 

Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

Again, notice the condition of asking. It must be done in faith without wavering. Further, we are directly told if we waver; do not expect to receive an answer.

 

"Faith is a grace that one expression supposes and another expressly requires: Knowing this, that the trial of your faith, Jam_1:3; and then in Jam_1:6, Let him ask in faith. There must be a sound believing of the great truths of Christianity, and a resolute cleaving to them, in times of trial. That faith which is spoken of here as tried by afflictions consists in a belief of the power, and word, and promise of God, and in fidelity and constancy to the Lord Jesus.

 

That oneness, and sincerity of intention, and a steadiness of mind, constitute another duty required under af fliction: He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust - to mount sometimes towards the heavens, with an intention to secure glory, and honour, and immortality, and then to sink again in seeking the ease of the body, or the enjoyments of this world - this is very fitly and elegantly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this. A mind that has but one single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in its devotions, and will be superior to all trials and oppositions. Now, for the cure of a wavering spirit and a weak faith, the apostle shows the ill effects of these, (1.) In that the success of prayer is spoiled hereby: Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord, Jam_1:7. Such a distrustful, shifting, unsettled person is not likely to value a favour from God as he should do, and therefore cannot expect to receive it. In asking for divine and heavenly wisdom we are never likely to prevail if we have not a heart to prize it above rubies, and the greatest things in this world. (2.) A wavering faith and spirit has a bad influence upon our conversations. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, Jam_1:8. When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be great unsteadiness in all our conversation and actions. This may sometimes expose men to contempt in the world; but it is certain that such ways cannot please God nor procure any good for us in the end. While we have but one God to trust to, we have but one God to be governed by, and this should keep us even and steady. He that is unstable as water shall not excel." [Matthew Henry]

 

Therefore, let us have a full appreciation for the word - "if." For by it victory or defeat is gained!