A strong angel comes now to stand
With glory, authority
Greater than our tri-als at hand
Calling us to hold steady
Then the thunders
Sound and are sealed
Calling for humility
A call to hope – Christ is coming
There will be no more delay
Take the scroll and begin eating
Sweet our hope in Christ today
Bitter stomachs! Weep for the lost!
Proclaim salvation in Christ!
To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”
– Joel Beeke in Revelation
David leaves a charge for Israel and Solomon, and prays to the Lord. Consider:
Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.
– Jeremiah 10:10a
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
– Matthew 28:19
Verses for Further Reflection
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
– Psalm 115:1-11
Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
What other gods are you tempted to glory in or trust in?
What is happening in your life right now for which you need to trust in the Lord?
God has given us instructions about how to live as his creatures, as the finite body-and-soul beings he has made us to be. But some of us are trying to live as if we are infinite. It’s hardly surprising that we are breaking down. – David Murray in Reset
David prepares for building the temple and organizes the Levites. Note:
We are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him. We are God’s: let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions. We are God’s: let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.
– John Calvin
(22, 28) What is David doing in these two chapters?
What instructions does David give to his son Solomon (22:6-16, 28:10-21)?
What do David’s actions and instructions tell us about his heart?
(22) What action should flow from our minds and hearts in v19a? What would that action look like?
What are we to do with our minds and hearts to make this action happen (v19a)? How might we do this?
(23-28) We are also to serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind (28:9). What are some ways that you serve the Lord?
Why is the heart so important in serving God? How do our beliefs, desires, motives, and attitudes affect our service?
When are you tempted to serve grudgingly instead of joyfully? How might you overcome that temptation?
Chapters 23-27 give us long lists of various people’s roles and responsibilities. Everyone had a part to play. How might that encourage you in your service?
(29) How does v9 describe their giving? Why is the heart again so important?
(29) In v17, David has an upright heart. What would that look like in your life?
(28-29) In what ways does God interact with our hearts in 28:9, 29:17, and 29:18? How should we respond to these truths?
(29) David begins his prayer with praise (v10-13). What do his words tell you about David’s heart?
How might David’s words about God spur us on to seek, serve, give to, and obey God more?
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Joy of Walking with God – Tim Challies
The Christian’s walk is one of close fellowship with God and earnest obedience to God. Here are some of the joys we receive in this walk.
The Nail in the Coffin of Our Hearts: Five Hundred Years of Fighting Idolatry – Tony Reinke (DG) Shallow thinking about God always replaces God, and sets in his place a fraudulent idol of security or sex or wealth or power or even of religion.
Sanctification Is a Direction – David Powlison
We must have a vision for a long process (lifelong), with a glorious end (the last day), that is actually going somewhere (today).
Sunday Morning Is Not About Me: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness – Stephen Witmer (DG)
As we see our Lord for who he is, as we look away from ourselves to gaze upon him again, we will find true, lasting joy and contentment.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day walking with, thinking about, and gazing upon God!
Here are some good posts about the lasting importance of the Reformation:
What We Can Learn from the Reformation 500 Years Later – Stephen Nichols (Crossway)
What is Sola Scriptura Protecting Us Against? More Than You Think – Michael Kruger
Ten Lasting Fruits of the Reformation – Joel Beeke
The Luther Family and the Reformation of Marriage – Jeff Robinson (TGC)
The Reformation’s Evangelistic Impact – Gregg Allison (Crossway)
Brian J. Mikul 