Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
After having been captured by the Philistines for seventy years and a three-month temporary stopover at the home of Obed-Edom, the ark of the covenant was finally coming back to Jerusalem. As the ark was being carried into the city, there was a parade with King David and the priests dressed in their finest. As the music of the ram's horn, trumpet, cymbals, lyres, and harps, David danced in celebration. As the ark was settled inside the tent, the worship continued with burnt offerings and praise.
David, always with a heart for music, directs those assigned to minister before the ark with song. Here's the first verse.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. '(v. 8-11)
Their ministering was filled with music; it says they were to play lyres and harps, sound the cymbals, and blow trumpets (v. 5-6). Their service was to be joyful and filled with praise, recalling all God had done for them. It was a reminder of where God had brought them from as a nation. He had delivered them from captivity in Egypt, let them through the wilderness, and met with them in the mercy seat of the ark.
Like the children of Israel, we recall how God, through Jesus Christ, delivered us from sinfulness. He blesses us in abundance. He is always there when we seek him, whether at the altar, driving in our cars, or kneeling on the floors of our bedrooms. When our spiritual strength ebbs and we say, "We can't," God tells us, "You can." As we wake each morning and go forward in his presence, His face always before us, we do so with joy and praise, with a song in our hearts.
The lyrics from the old gospel standard, "When We All Get to Heaven" (UMH 701), will serve as our prayer.
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansions bright and blessed He'll prepare for us a place.
Refrain: When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We'll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky; But when trav'ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving every day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we'll behold; Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.
Go into the world with the love of God in your hearts and his song on your lips.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
