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Today: Psalms 93; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Chronicles 28 & 29
Psalms 93
“The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their poinding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea–the LORD on high is mighty.” Psalm 93:3-4
What is the most powerful thing you can think of? The ocean? A hurricane? God is far more powerful than any of these. God created them all!
1 Corinthians 5
The early Corinthian church had a problem with sexual immorality — someone was having an affair with his step mother. So that was obviously not a good situation, but the biggest problem was that this guy was openly engaged in this adulterous relationship and still involved in the church. He was arrogant and unrepentant. And nobody seemed to think it was a big deal.
Paul’s advice? “Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” (v.5) Kick him out of the church. Paul makes it clear that the big problem is not the guy’s blatant sin, but the fact that he is unrepentant and still actively involved in the church.
Paul urges them “not to associate with sexually immoral people,” but he clarifies that he is not talking about disassociating with all sexually immoral people who are not believers… “in that case you would have to leave this world.” (v.10) Paul is talking only about people like this man, who claim to be believers yet blatantly flaunt their vices.
Parents please don’t use this passage to disown your wayward child. Please don’t use this passage to lecture unsaved neighbors and tell them they are going to hell. That is not what Paul is talking about here. “God will judge those outside.”(v.13) In the meantime, pray, pray, PRAY for them. We win our loved ones to Christ in our prayer closets, not with lectures. Love them with the love of Christ.
1 Chronicles 28-29
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
This was a golden age for Jerusalem. They were being led by David, a man of God’s heart who loved and served the LORD. And all the people followed David’s lead. They agreed on the importance of building a temple and willingly contributed for its construction. And “they all praised the LORD, the God their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the LORD and the king.” (v.29:20) And they “ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD.” (v.28:22) And God blessed them.
