2 Chronicles 31 - 5.9.25
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:5-6
“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them in heaps.”
Observation
King Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He stated that their parents were unfaithful and did evil in the site of the Lord. He wanted to make a covenant with the Lord since the Lord’s anger was on the land. In this chapter, the Israelites destroyed all the idols in their land. King Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple and assigned the priests and Levites divisions according to their duties to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. The King contributed out of his own possessions to the burnt offerings. The King ordered the people to give their portion due to the priests and Levites. This was so the Priests and Levites could devote themselves to the Lord. The King did not want priests and Levites to have to worry about feeding their families through working jobs that were not part of the temple. The king was a good shepherd in leading his people back to a right relationship with God
We now start at the part of the scriptures above. The people were ordered to tithe, and they generously gave. They gave from their firstfruits everything they produced. We see at the end of verse 6, NIV version uses the words ”heaps” and in the KJV version they use “abundantly.” What was so inspiring is they generously gave.
The King visited the chief priest who told the King they had plenty to spare because the Lord has blessed his people.
Application
One of our DSC core values is “Generosity is our privilege.” In Corinthians 9:6-8 it says “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Bringing our tithe to the place we worship, while being obedient to God, should be done because we love our God. We should support those who shepherd us and sustain the place we worship. DSC is God’s house. Each time you give your tithe at DSC, you’re giving directly from the love you have in your heart for God.
For our married couples, being in agreement with each other, in prayer, regarding your tithe and offerings is very important. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Mary and I have always talked through everything when it comes to giving. We always come to a unified agreement.
To anyone with children, teach them why you tithe and give. They will learn by your example.
Prayer
Jesus, may I give you the best of everything you have blessed me with. There is so much joy in generously giving. Holy Spirit, show me areas in my life I have not given you my best. Jesus may our tithe and offerings be out of love for you. God, bless our DSC family and those who shepherd it. In Jesus name. Amen.
- Robert Oberg
2 Chronicles 30 - 5.8.25
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 30 - Hezekiah’s Passover
(1-5) The tribes of Israel are invited to celebrate the Passover.
(6-9) The letter to the tribes.
(10-12) The reaction to the letter in Israel and Judah. Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them.
(13-17) Preparations and sacrifices made.
(18-20) God is merciful to the ignorant worshippers.
(21-22) Worship, teaching, and fellowship.
(23-27) The resulting joy and answered prayer.
OBSERVATION
To keep the Passover, Hezekiah sent this to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim.
Passover: This great feast celebrated the great and glorious deliverance of God on Israel’s behalf in the days of the Exodus (Exodus 12). It was a deliberate, emblematic reminder of the central act of redemption in the Old Testament (the deliverance from slavery in Egypt).
Since the time of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem: Since those days there had not been a Passover in Jerusalem so widely and enthusiastically celebrated. And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. This was the greatest assembly gathered for a Passover in generations. Not only had the Passover been neglected in Judah for many years, but this Passover also included those from the remnant of the northern tribes who responded to the invitation.
This shows the wonderful and warm mercy of God. By the letter of the command, the people deserved judgment for their disobedience. Yet God showed His mercy and goodness to those who had prepared their heart to seek God, though in ignorance they did not do it all according to the commandments.
Passover to Communion
Their pattern of preparing to receive the Passover is instructive for those who come to the communion table, especially those who feel unworthy to partake of communion.
· They forgot their differences and came together as one people.
· They removed their idols. Examples today: things we spend time on distracting us from spending time praying and reading our bibles, attending church.
· They prepared their hearts.
· Their sins and ignorance were confessed.
· They prayed.
In Numbers 6:22-27, it was the duty of the priests to bless the people with these words: The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
APPLICATION
These promises were based on an eternal principle of God’s character: that He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him. God promises to draw near to those who draw near to Him. And for those of us who feel we aren’t participating enough, not sharing his word enough. Not seeing your prayers answered. And, maybe, feeling distant to HIM and not in His word enough, etc…SEEK HIM. His word is for everyone who seeks Him. And SEEK HIM in Prayer. AND always remember the purpose of communion.
PRAYER
Jesus, your word is a mighty sword—the sword of righteousness. And righteousness cuts down and destroys the doubts we may sometimes have of not being enough, not doing enough, not seeing prayers answered. And as Pastor Levi taught in his sermon, WHAT AM I DOING HERE!! You are the Lord, of purpose, patience and forgiveness and right now I pray, Jesus, this prayer for everyone who is in this season of life…SEEK HIM. and may HIS light shine upon you….the light of HIS glory.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword
And Lord, I was reminded of the importance of communion. Let me/us never forget the sacrifice you made for me/us so that we no longer celebrate the Passover, as described in these scriptures. When we take communion, we are remembering Your sacrifice on the cross and we celebrate a risen savior. With humble gratitude, thank you Jesus.
- Charleen Zakarian
Psalm 96 - 5.7.25
Scripture; Psalm 96
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Observation
Psalm 96 is split into four sections, each highlighting a different command: sing, praise, worship, and rejoice.
Application
In the first section, the psalmist says “sing to the Lord all the earth.” At that time in history, only the Jews followed the one true God, but this psalm looks forward to a time when the whole world will know him. It tells us to sing a new song, a song of faith in the things coming and to declare his glory to all we come in contact with.
In verses 4-6, we are directed to praise him. I looked up the difference between praise and worship. “Praise is often about what God does, while worship is about who God is.” We are to praise him for his great works, for his creation, for his provision, for his healing – for all the things he has done for us. He deserves our praise.
Verses 7-10 tell us to ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. “When praising the Lord, the Jews lifted their hands and voices and looked up, but in their worship, they reverently bowed down.” (Warren Wiersbe Bible Study) We serve a powerful, mighty, all-knowing, loving father. He is worthy of our worship.
And lastly, rejoice! The king of the universe reigns. He is a God who keeps his promises, from now until he comes again!
Prayer
Today I will take time to sing of your great love for me. I will praise you for what you have done, for all the times you have answered my prayers. I will worship you because you are holy and righteous and good. And I will rejoice because you hold the world in your hand and you are in control.
Goodness of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4MUUMWMV4
- Debbie Dunn