Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 9
"And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning." (1 Chronicles 9:27)
Devotional Thought: The people of Israel, who had been exiled, were beginning to make their way back to their homeland. 1 Chronicles 9 gives us a list of the folks at the forefront of the effort.
Today’s Scripture seems to indicate part of their resettlement responsibilities had to do with protecting and looking after the house of God. While they undoubtedly had their own issues to tend to—rebuilding homes and rehabilitating personal property—they also gave attention to God’s house. Apparently some previous inhabitants had ransacked it to where the returnees wanted to preserve it from further deterioration and make sure it was available to any of their compatriots that wanted to take advantage of the resources it offered.
In many ways, this is a picture of what it means to be a “churchman” (or “churchwoman”) and not merely a Christian. For there’s a considerable difference! A “churchman” or “churchwoman” is someone who intentionally takes time away from his/her personal concerns and sacrificially gives of him/herself to make sure the church is healthy and flourishing. A “churchman” or “churchwoman” protects their local church from those who would ransack it not only by practicing God-honoring communication patterns but by lovingly and respectfully challenging those who’d threaten its unity. A “churchman” or “churchwoman” selflessly invests him/herself to make sure his/her church is relevant and available to the surrounding world. A “churchman” or “churchwoman” does what he/she can to make sure his/her church is welcoming and has something of value and importance to offer.
Prayer: God, grant that we might not merely be Christians but be “churchmen” and “churchwomen”—people who make sure the house of God is both protected from those who would ravage it and available to encourage and give support to seeking, hurting people from our surrounding community. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 40:1-8
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
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