2020-9-7

Psalms 95:1-11;  I Chronicles 25:1-31

Psalms 95:1-11

Key verse: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalms 95:1-2)

Psalms is a book we can learn about and meditate upon as to worshiping and praising our Lord and God. In this chapter 95, the poet pointed out beautifully some of God’s attributes, and what men’s relationship should be with Him:

Some of God’s attributes revealed from this chapter:
He is preeminent.
He is the great I AM.
He is just.

Men’s relationship with God identified in this chapter: Creation/Creator
Exalt Him over all: Come and sing for the Lord – He is our God; we are His people/flock.
Hear His voice: Trust and obey

Lord, help us to make our lips and our lives agree with your proper place of honor, which is above all – above our possessions, our ambitious, our likes and dislikes, our family and loved ones, our health, and even our lives.

1 Chronicles 25:1-31

Key Verse: Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. (1 Chronicles 25:7)

Chapter 23 to 26 from 1 Chronicles illustrated the divisions and duties of the Levites.
In Chapter 25, it zoomed from the 38,000 (1 Chronicles 23:3), then 4,000 (1 Chronicles 23:5), finally into 288 people (1 Chronicles 25:7), for the ministry of music for singers and musicians. A few points to note and ponder:

It is inspired by God. David was inspired by God for the structure and services to Him, so should our ministry be.

It is orderly set/designed. Everyone has an assigned role/shift; no chaos, so should our ministry be.

All participants need to be trained and skilled in music for the Lord. We can never comprehend God completely, so we should not cease learning to worship and praise Him. Borrowing the idea from Brother Alan’s previous devotional notes (2020/9/4), we are trained and skilled for Him, not for personal gratification.

Lord, your name is beautiful and worthy to be praised. May our lives continue to sing praises to you and never cease to learn about your great wisdom and splendid glory.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.           —- Ivy Lin

<Additional notes>
In case the Hebrew name matching game catches you, here is some research I found on Biblegateway.com:
(1 Chronicles 25:11) The fourth lot cast was to Izri, which is a variant of Zeri.
(1 Chronicles 25:14) The seventh lot cast was to Jesarelah, which is a variant of Asarelah.
(1 Chronicles 25:18) The eleventh lot cast was to Azarel, which is a variant of Uzziel.