Faith-full Reminders

When they were but few in number,
    few indeed, and strangers in it,
they wandered from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
He allowed no one to oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:
“Do not touch my anointed ones;
    do my prophets no harm.”
1 Chronicles 16:19-22 (NIV)

Like everyone else in life, Wendy and I have experienced times of uncertainty. In fact, just a few weeks ago we were taking stock of some current circumstances in which we’re having to trust that God has a plan and is going to provide. Feeling my tendency to spiral into pessimism, Wendy sat and recounted for me all of the times over our nearly 20 years together when God has proven faithful in having a plan and providing. I needed to hear it. It was good.

Today’s chapter provides Part 2 of David’s grand event marking the Ark of the Covenant’s unveiling in its new tent temple in Jerusalem. Once again, the Chronicler reveals that David broke down the royal and priestly silos as he led in making the sacrifices and offerings. David then appoints musicians to play worship music and instructs them how he wants it done, using his own Psalms. With these events, not recorded in the original account in Samuel, the Chronicler reminds us that the warrior king was also the worship king who composed much of the book of Psalms and began his career as his predecessor’s private musician.

The lyrics the Chronicler quotes from the event can be found in three Psalms (105, 106, 96), but to understand why these additions are so important for the Chronicler and his contemporary readers, I have to place myself in their shoes on the timeline.

The people have just returned from decades of exile in Babylon. Reconstructing the Temple from the rubble, the Chronicler and his generation are going to have to do the very same things David did. Levites will have to be appointed as caretakers and musicians. Instructions will have to be given. They are restoring God’s sacrificial system as prescribed in the Law of Moses, just as David did.

The lyrics David prescribes at the event describe God’s covenant with Abraham, God’s promise to bless “a thousand generations,” and God’s faithfulness to the Hebrews who “wandered from nation to nation as strangers” before settling into the Promised Land. If I’m an exile having just moved back to Jerusalem from Babylon, this describes my own personal experience. I know what it’s like to live as a stranger in a strange land. I have had to cling to my faith in God and trust His promises, His covenant, and His faithfulness. Now I’m back in Jerusalem restoring the Temple and experiencing God’s faithfulness. What David is doing in today’s chapter and what David is singing in today’s chapter resonates deeply with my own life and experience. It’s life repeating itself. And through all of the uncertainty I’ve felt as an exile and now as a people trying to reconstruct our lives, our legacy, and. our identity as God’s people, I need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. I need to trust that He has a plan and will provide. I can imagine reading today’s chapter and finding my soul saying: “I needed this. This is good.”

In the quiet this morning, I return from standing in the sandals of a returned Hebrew exile in 400 B.C. Jerusalem to sitting here in my 21st-century office. One thing that hasn’t changed in 2500 years is the human condition. Life is filled with uncertainty. I need reminding that God has a plan and will provide. Holy Spirit brought to mind a little verse, not particularly well-known, that has become a staple go-to along my own personal journey:

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13

I spent some time in the quiet this morning meditating on God’s faithfulness to the ancient Hebrews through the generations. I recounted some of those reminders Wendy gave me a few weeks ago of the many ways God has proven the truth of 2 Timothy 2:13 and the many times He’s proven faithful in having a plan and providing.

I needed this. This is good.