Our reading today recounts the story of David and the Israelites bringing the Ark of the Covenant “home” to the new capital of the Jewish nation: Jerusalem, or the City of David. What a joyous occasion!!! The verses we will examine are part of a psalm or song David had composed just for this celebration, extoling the character and the wonderous deeds of Jehovah God. As a former pastor I knew used to say, “if reading this doesn’t get you fired up about God, then your wood is wet”!!!

Chris Adomanis

1 Chronicles 16:32-34

32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Read the whole song composed by David (verses 8-36). How is the song “organized”? Suggestion: Recite and reflect on this section of Scripture (or any favorite Psalm with a similar flavor) EVERY morning for 30 days. It may just change your outlook on life!!!

+ Why would the trees sing for joy before the Lord because “He comes to judge the earth”?

+ What does it mean to you to say that God is “good”? What answer would you give to a sceptic that doubts the goodness of God based on what is transpiring in the world today?

+ What does it mean to you to say that God’s “steadfast love endures forever”?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Reading this section of Scripture REALLY makes me miss meeting with my Downtown Hope family in person!!! I greatly appreciate the work that Joey, David and the Team are doing continuing the Gatherings online during this crisis, but this text reminds me how powerful and uplifting it is to come together physically as God’s people to exalt and worship Him. I vow never to take this freedom and blessing for granted ever again!!! How about you???

Hebrews 10:24-25: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?