I pick up my Bible rather reluctantly this morning. I am tired and my mind is sluggish. It doesn’t help that I am reading through the Bible chronologically and yesterday’s reading was in 1 Chronicles, a chapter containing a bunch of names of gatekeepers and military commanders. The list of military commanders might inspire someone like Lyndon or James, but not me.
Now I need to read the last two chapters of the book this morning and I just kind of dread trying to find inspiration in some more of the same.
I open to the appropriate page and begin to read. By the time I read the first two verses my lethargy is gone! I discover that these chapters hold no genealogies, no lists of duties or jobs I can’t relate to, but instead are filled with King David’s last words to the nation he has ruled over for forty years, and to his son Solomon, whom he knows will take the throne after him. He instructs his son and the people to be careful to obey the Lord and to learn to know Him intimately.
I have grown to love this king over the last few weeks. As I have read the story of his life and the psalms that he wrote simultaneously, I see meat put onto his skeleton and he comes alive before my eyes. He made many mistakes over the years, some of them with severe consequences, but his heart always found its way back to humility, repentance, and obedience to the Lord. These are all attributes that I desire to attain. His love and loyalty to God are so inspiring to me.
Now, nearing the end of his life, he stands and offers a prayer of praise to the Lord in the presence of all his subjects, recognizing that all the gifts they are offering to the Lord for the building of the Temple have first been given to them by God himself. His next words stir my soul and make tears roll down my cheeks.
“We are here for only a moment, visitors, and strangers in the land… Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone without a trace.”
The words, so like the ones written in Psalm 144:4 trigger a memory and I am suddenly back in my little house in Bartow, GA, flopped across my bed, identifying with the verse in a way that I didn’t want to have to…
For a long period of time after Connie’s death, I read from the Psalms as my brother-in-law Harold suggested. The words were easy to retain and were often echoes of my own heart.
Now today, King David, the writer of many of the words that helped to ground me in those days, is speaking to me again, encouraging me with words that he used back in the days when my life was in pieces at my feet.
You see, I have spent a large part of the last few days writing the book that I promised I would write. This requires going back and remembering events that sometimes make me feel as if I am on an emotional roller coaster. I find that writing is hard work, the words for what I want to convey are often elusive.
Today, God uses another part of David’s words to Solomon to speak to me, and I cannot believe what I am reading!
“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work… is finished correctly.” I Chron 28:20
How can it be that words spoken so many years ago, and to another person, in completely different circumstances, could be “tailor-made” for me? Again!
Y’all, that is just what my Father specializes in! The word of God is truly divinely inspired, and he knows exactly what part of his Word I will need to read on any given day.
Yesterday I was able to slog through gatekeeper and military lists without too much stress because my mindset was in a good place.
Today, God knew I needed more. And he had it ready for me, long ago, before I ever started this bible reading plan! Or this book!
So now my mind is fully engaged, and I am off to “do the work.” Thank you, my Father, and King David for preserving these words all those years so that my passing shadow can live well in the moment that I am here!