As Solomon began building the temple for worship, he assembled the most highly skilled craftsmen he could find. No expense was spared in the preparation and construction of the house God was to dwell in.

The same is happening today as God Himself works in our lives to build and form us together to be the house He lives in. His building expert is the Holy Spirit. His process takes no shortcuts, and demands the highest quality, refinement, and detail.

We holler when He puts a cutting tool to our life, but in patience and long-suffering, we ultimately begin to see the masterpiece He is building. That’s why the Psalmist cried, “How lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, Lord Almighty” [Ps. 84:1]

PRAYER: Lord, You are teaching us eternal lessons through the things we suffer and experience here in this lifetime. Forgive our whining and complaining. We trust that Your eternal purposes are unfolding for our good.

READ: 2 Chron. 1-3

This lowly shepherd who became Israel’s king set a very high standard for leaders to come. He was a master delegater, mighty warrior, skilled musician, and displayed unswerving obedience to the Lord. His rule was the epitome of dedicated leadership, and his servant’s heart challenges men even today.

Above all, he was a worshipper who spent much time in solitude in God’s presence. The quality time spent in prayer, praise, and devotion are an example to us.

Apart from a few slip-ups, David exemplified the pattern for prophet, priest, and king.

PRAYER: Lord, we thank You for the example King David gave us. We all want to rule and reign in life like he did.

READ: 1 Chron. 27-29

Scripture records that certain of the ordained priesthood were to prophesy before the Lord. This indicates a level of spontaneous praise that includes on-the-spot inspiration by God. They must have been “caught up” by God’s Spirit and directly inspired to sing or play a fresh, new song.

We can do that in our personal devotions. We can just begin singing to God about how great He is and His Spirit will make creative expression through us.

Try it when you’re driving along.

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be sincere, creative, and worshipful in whatever I do.

READ: 1 Chron. 24-26

David ordered the most thorough system of priesthood ministry yet seen. It all originated in his personal desire to see the entire nation enter and experience the personal worship relationship he had with God. There was continual praise and prayer ascending to the Lord from the lips and instruments of the Levites.

This pattern is to be duplicated by us. We are all priests unto God.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” [ Heb. 13:15]

PRAYER: Lord, as the Levites in David’s Tabernacle offered praise and thanksgiving morning and evening, so will I remember to give You thanks and praise. You are GREAT!

READ: 1 Chron. 20-23

Upon the occasion when David desired to build God a house to dwell in, Nathan came to him describing one of his descendants who would “Be of thy sons; and I (God) will establish his kingdom.  He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son.”

God was clearly pointing to Jesus Who would build His Kingdom IN THE HEARTS OF MEN.

WE are God’s building, His dwelling place.

PRAYER: Lord, You have chosen to live in our hearts rather than in a building made of earthly materials. Give us Your perspective on people so that we can see them as place where Your Spirit can dwell. 

READ: 1 Chron. 17-19

David composed most of the book of Psalms as we know it.  This aspect of his ministry characterizes the relationship he had with God … he generated personal, creative efforts to show forth his zeal and respect for God. He was a worship leader, not a follower. No one was to be ahead of David when it came to singing or declaring their feelings about their relationship to God. This outgrowth of public praise was the product of David’s private, personal relationship he developed with the Lord as a lone shepherd boy watching his father’s sheep on the hills of Bethlehem.

Our public praise is likewise the fruit of the private, personal relationship we have with God in our secret devotional life. May we all be like David.

PRAYER: Lord, as David did when he composed and danced and sang his praises to You, may our lives likewise display our dependence upon You and the strength You bring to our lives.

READ: 1 Chron. 13-16

Soon after David was anointed King, he attacked Jerusalem to take it from the Jebusites. He announced, “Whoever leads the charge will become my army general.” Joab was the man who courageously took the lead. He thereby earned his leadership position.

Clearly, he risked his life when he did so. He put the importance of the mission above his own welfare. Such boldness and self depreciation are qualities essential for effective leadership. After all, the King had set the example when he faced Goliath alone.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, give us all the grace to put Your Kingdom above and ahead of our own. We give our lives to Your purposes today. Use us to bring down our enemies.

READ: 1 Chron. 10-12

Sadly, the strength of nations was often measured in the number of fighting men they had.

Whereas in the Old Testament, God’s people were often involved in the struggles of war, we New Testament Christians also find ourselves in a struggle. Scripture makes clear that we don’t fight with the weapons made of material elements. Our weapons are spiritual, and the warfare we are engaged in is one of the spirit world. We attack and pull down strongholds that are powerful but cannot be seen … demonic forces and works of the flesh such as lust, anger, fear, wrong thinking … enemies that try to rob a Believer of their spiritual well-being.

Stay vigilant! Settle for nothing less than total victory.

PRAYER:  Lord, You have given us the mighty weapons of prayer and praise. We lift up Your Holy Name against all enemies. You give the VICTORY!

READ: 1 Chron. 7-9

The Lord knows each individual, and demonstrated it in passages such as 1 Chronicles. Precise care was given to include the names of members of each clan and their order of birth. It reveals God’s attention to detail when it comes to the people He loves.

The most important book to be in is the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” It is referred to in Rev. 13 and 21.

You may not be in 1 Chron., but you surely need to be in the Lamb’s book. God can spell your name.

PRAYER: Father, we are honored above every other one of earth’s privileges to be in Your Book of Life by accepting the sin-sacrifice of Christ’s blood. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive all honor and worship.

READ: 1 Chron. 4-6

God can see each person and all their lineage at once. It’s like a book to Him. He sees the present, beginning, and end at one time.

The family you are born into bears greatly upon your spiritual existence and well-being. Godly predecessors is like wind in your sails. It’s foolish and wasteful to disregard this asset. The prayer support of family members makes a great difference in combating the challenges of life.

Paul recognized this when he spoke of Timothy … ” I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”  [2 Tim. 1:5]

PRAYER: Loving and faithful Heavenly Father, we bring grateful hearts to You for the favor You give to Your children. We war the spiritual warfare of this life strengthened by the prayers of Godly loved ones and fellow members of the Body of Christ.

READ: 1 Chron. 2, 3