Warriors Arise: February 14, 2023
1 Chronicles 15:25-26 (NKJV) So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams.
2 Samuel 6:12-13 (NKJV) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.
If we cannot give with a cheerful heart then we shouldn't give at all. God wants a cheerful giver. He wants someone who is truly thankful for what He has done. He wants someone who is expressing their gratitude by giving to Him. David had an incredible amount to be thankful for. The following Psalm comes to mind. When I think of David's life, I understand his desire to worship God with what he had and everything within him. He understand God ordained his steps. He understood God was leading Him and had protected him. He knew the goodness of God, the power of God, the provision of God, the wisdom of God, and the faithfulness of God. When he didn't know what to do, he sought God. When things didn't look like they were headed in the direction they should have taken, he sought God. When he was headed into battle and was in battle, he sought God. He had a really good idea how many times he could have been killed, but God spared him. God had plans for him. God was not going to let him go astray, because God would follow through with what He said He would do. David would be king of Israel. The day was there when king and God were triumphantly advancing toward their people, together.
David didn't give the offerings and sacrifices because God required them. David gave them because it was a form of giving worship, value, and honor to God. God did not require the sacrifices or the offering.
Psalms 40:1-6 (NKJV)
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
I wonder when David wrote this. It would not surprise me if it was during the time of bringing the ark into the city. I want to encourage you today to write a letter to God. Write of your thankfulness of all you have seen Him do in your life. No requests in this letter, just a letter of praise and gratitude for all He has done. You may be surprised that you need to go back and add more as the day progresses. Writing a letter specifically recognizing God for all He has done in your life, what a great thing to do on Valentine's Day!
Father, I ask for You to remind me of all You have done in my life. Do not let me forget the countless times You have intervened on my behalf. Do not let me dismiss the little things. Do not let me overlook the number of prayers You have answered. I want to be specific and thank You for all that You have done. I make myself open to You. I allow my mind to be taken back to all You have done for me. I will give You praise and write down everything I can remember You doing for me. It isn't a sacrifice, if it doesn't cost me a thing. I will honor You and make known what You have done for me, in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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