1 Chronicles 16:31-43 Click here for Bible Verses

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Chronicles 16:31-43.  Let’s go!

1 Chronicles 16:36 (NIV) 
36  Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

On verses 31-36:   David finishes his beautiful worship song and the people respond by saying “Amen”.  “Amen” means “it is true”.  When we say “Amen” in prayer or in response to preaching, three things happen: (1) you take personal ownership of what is being prayed or preached, and that strengthens your own faith; (2) you encourage the person who is speaking, building an atmosphere of faith and unity with that person and others who hear; and (3) you invite God to build His church in your midst, for God loves to work in an atmosphere of unity and faith.  In other words, each time you say “AMEN”, you get edified, your church gets unified, and God’s name gets glorified.  So be out loud and responsive to the prayers and preaching of others at church.

1 Chronicles 16:37-40 (NIV) 
37  David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.
38  He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.
39  David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon
40  to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. 

On verses 37-40:  Go to verses 37 and 40 and underline the word “regularly” (the King James Version says “continually”).  Like we learned this past Sunday at THRIVE, worship is not an event but a lifestyle.  So don’t just give God your attention and your worship for an hour on a Sunday morning.  Give Him worship regularly, morning and evening.  For from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.  Live a lifestyle of worship.

Speaking of a lifestyle of worship, notice how Obed-Edom went from experiencing the presence of God in his home to becoming a musician and a gatekeeper in God’s house (v38).  I pray for the people in your home, that they would experience the presence of God so strongly and convincingly in your home, that it would lead them to use their talents and time to serve God in His house, the church, just like Obed-Edom did.

1 Chronicles 16:41-42 (NIV) 
41  With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures forever.”
42  Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

On verses 41-42:  Just as Heman and Jeduthun were “chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord”, so are you.  You have been chosen and designated by name to give thanks to God and to worship Him.  As 1 Peter 2:9 says, “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  God knows you by name and He has chosen you to be on His praise team.

1 Chronicles 16:43 (NIV) 
43  Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

On verse 43:  After David blessed God, he returned home to bless his family.  There are two lessons I learn from this:

  1. Worship is not just about what you do in a church service, but it’s also how you love and treat your family and those around you.  The best worshipers of God are also the best lovers of people.
  1. Always start with God.  If you love God first before you love your family, He will give you power to love and bless your family.   In fact, if you truly love God first and love people second, I believe you’ll love the people in your life better than those who love people first and love God second.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have chosen and designated me by name to be on Your praise team.  Wherever I am, whether I am with my church, my family or others, may I give You worship by the way I love those around me.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!