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Chronicles 15 reminds me of how much life improves after we learn to
follow God’s Word! In school I loved being given an open book
test. That meant the teacher would allow us to have the text book
open and available to get answers while taking the test. In the
previous chapter, King David had failed miserably in his attempt to
bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and it cost a man his
life. In today’s chapter we see some time has passed, and
something is very different. “After
David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he
prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.”
Then David said, “No
one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose
them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him
forever“.
Whenever we fail, our tendency is to look for someone else to blame.
“It
was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that
the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of
him about how to do it in the prescribed way“.
And look how much smarter they look after some study, “Levites
carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses
had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord“.
Are you so proud that you are unwilling to consult the book?
Next,
King David formed a praise band to lead the way. “David
told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers
to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres,
harps and cymbals“.
Next comes the time to introduce the band: “The
musicians Heman, Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals;
Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and
Benaiah were to play the lyres… Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom,
Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps“.
As always last but not least the lead singer, “Kenaniah
the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his
responsibility because he was skillful at it“.
Music can change our mood and even bring us back to a moment in
time. Regardless of what might be happening in our life, when we
sing praise to God, our spirit is refreshed. “So
David and the elders… went to bring up the ark… from the house of
Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. Because God had helped the Levites who
were carrying the ark of the covenant“.
Are you carrying a heavy burden? Singing praise always lightens the
load.
“Now
David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites
who were carrying the ark.”
Apparently David set aside his royal robes so that he could be
unrestrained in his celebration. Clearly it is much more fun when we
do things God’s way! But the chapter ends with a reminder that not
everyone will join you when you rejoice. “As
the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David,
Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King
David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart“.
We get very few opportunities to retake life’s tests, but it seems
God gives us multiple tries at bringing Him to the center of our
life. Jeremiah 29 says to those that desire to know God; “For
I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will
seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be
found by you“.
Its an open book test, go ahead and look for the answers.