READING FOR JUNE 24, 2025: 1 CHRONICLES 28, PHILIPPIANS 1, PSALM 58 1 CHRONICLES 28 An academic dean at Taylor University once said that we ceremonialize what is most important to us. If memory serves, he was referring to commencement, but it also holds true for weddings and funerals. In this case, it was the transfer of power from King David to his son Solomon. David invited all the leadership that we have been discussing these last chapters to Jerusalem. In his fragile state, he stood up to address his people this last time. He reminded them he desired to build a temple for God but was not permitted to do so by God because of his battle history. Are there accomplishments we would have liked to achieve for God in our life but have not done so for one reason or another? Certainly, a goal that God would support is to see our family come to know Jesus as their savior and Lord. Nothing could be a higher goal and more aligned with God’s will. Let’s all pray and work for that result.
David was by no means complaining, though, because he reminded the people that God chose him to be king of Israel and likewise chose his son Solomon to be king after him. No small honor. But consider what honor God has bestowed on those of us who are saved: “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6).
Then David explained to Solomon in front of all people the specific mission God had in mind for him: build the temple and follow ALL God’s commands so that he and his descendants will continue to reign. David even goes deeper than mere compliance but directs him to seek God wholeheartedly. He foreshadows Jesus words in Matthew 7:7: “Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” On the other hand, he reminds Solomon of the consequences of forsaking God: “He will reject you forever.” Let’s remember that the promises of God cut both ways. Never forsake the Lord who died for us.
It is interesting and likely was dramatic that David publicly handed over all the plans for the temple. Doing so in such a ceremony probably heightened the odds of Solomon following through with these plans. David said that every detail was given by God. Isn't that what Jesus said about the Bible? “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5: 18-19). Those who take the Bible figuratively apparently want to be least in the kingdom of Heaven. Let’s obey what it plainly states instead of what we wish!
READING FOR JUNE 24, 2025: PHILIPPIANS 1, PSALM 58 PHILIPPIANS 1 Paul addresses this letter to the saints, including the overseers and deacons. The fact that “overseers” is a plural word and listed alongside another group of local church officials called “deacons,” suggests that the word is interchangeable with the word “elders.” Let’s use Titus 1: 5-9 as an example where both words seem to be referring to the same office: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.” The closest office to this in our church is the Leadership Council. Having used so much precious space with church leadership, here are some other key points:
- Paul repeatedly prays with joy for them because his past experience has been so positive. Paul must think it is a good idea to tell others he is praying for them. We do likewise with our YMC prayer team.
- Paul does not pray for their health. He prays their love with overflow with knowledge and discernment, and they will discover excellent things and be sincere until the end. Let’s pray for this for our church.
- Paul’s imprisonment in Rome is good because his witness has spread, and believers are emboldened.
- Paul does not mind too much if folks preach Jesus from a profit motive, as long as they get it right!
- Paul knows it is better for him to be with the Lord than stay on earth, but he is willing to stay and help.
- Paul tells them to stay unified, stay focused on the Gospel, don’t worry about opposition or suffering.
PSALM 58 This is a famous, or infamous, imprecatory psalm, meaning it calls on God to bring down harsh judgment on an evil person or persons. Remember that Psalm 57 used metaphors in its poetry. This one uses the poetic devices of sarcasm and hyperbole (i.e., exaggeration). For example, David sarcastically opens by calling his adversaries “gods,” implying that they foolishly think of themselves that way. His question about their righteous judgment implies David thinks this is the very opposite of the approach they take. He then says they were wicked right from the womb, which according to Rom. 5 is true of all of us. But he finds these people particularly dangerous to others, like snakes (a picture of Satan) with deadly venom. These snakes won’t pay heed to moderating influences, hence the ineffective snake charmer.
David asks God to shatter their teeth but has no intention to take vengeance himself. His plea for God to defang these lions is a request to take away their aggressive capabilities. This is also the case when he asks for their arrows to lose their shafts. His comments about miscarriage are bit like Jesus’s: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). The last verse is the key statement. This is a Psalm that appeals totally to God’s justice. God will do what is consistent with His attribute of justice in response to injustice, which is why Jesus went to the cross.
