Amanda Olive

May 11th, 2023 God’s Work, God’s Way by Amanda Olive

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 15 – 16; Psalms 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Read the “0512 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this passage – “Check With God First;” and “Taking Time to Rejoice.”

“1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: 3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. 4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” (1 Chronicles 13:1-4)

As soon as I read, “for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people,” I knew things were going to go wrong. With that being said, God is very exact in his word. God made it clear how He wanted the ark moved in Numbers 4:4, 15, 17 – 20. And right from the start David seeks the go ahead from the people rather than seeking the Lord. David wanted to be a good King. We all have it in us to be liked. David was looking for recognition.

“7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.” (1 Chronicles 13:7-10)

God smote him! Wow! Divine Justice. Uzza was probably thinking “grab it, it’s going to fall.” Reading deeper into this passage I realize that everyone in the whole procedure from David on down was guilty of disobeying God’s instructions regarding the most holy things. God’s way requires a working knowledge of Scripture. David was angry at first that the Lord had interfered with his plans. In David’s mind he thought he was doing right. God’s power and holiness made David doubt whether he was worthy to bring the ark to his city. Humility, “the fear of the Lord,” the absence of self.

I continued reading and David, with God’s help, had two victories over the Philistines in chapter 14. Then the ark is finally brought to Jerusalem without any hiccups, because the ark was transported in the proper manner and handled with fitting reverence. It was carried on the shoulders of the Levites, who themselves were ceremonially cleansed. After the ark arrived, David and the people celebrated the event with sacrifices and feasting.

David was a man after God’s heart. He never blamed others for his mistakes, he didn’t make excuses, and he knew how to repent. We are all wretched sinners, our hearts are deceitful. If we aren’t in our Bible every day seeking and putting God first then we are either trusting in our own self or seeking man’s approval. Try to stay humble and live for the Lord. God is the One and only One that knows what is best for us all the time. Seek Him! I pray this is a blessing.

Posted in Devotions by Amanda Olive with 3 comments.

Jul 30th, 2020 Rebellion Met With Grace … by Amanda Olive

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 15 – 16; Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “0730 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. … Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.” (Isaiah 1:2-4; 13)

In the first chapter of Isaiah, I can feel and hear the sadness that the one and only true God, our Great Father in Heaven, the Creator of all things has towards His children. The spirit behind their worship was absent. These people had no morals, living by the lust of their flesh, they were full of greed, envy and deceit. There was crime and murder. But yet on the Sabbaths, appearing before God as if everything was good. Sounds a lot like the people of today doesn’t it? We live in a world that is immersed in all sorts of idolatry and religion; pride drives mankind to resist God. These people of Israel, their worship, their offerings and their keeping the Sabbath was all worthless, meaningless. because it was all religion. They were just going through the motions. God does care how we worship Him. The Lord has given us commands and examples in the Bible. We are to study and meditate on his Word daily. We are to gain a godly perspective on all things in our life.

Sin, a fallen world. It is a struggle for all. There is no good sin or bad sin it’s all sin. God has always given his people a choice to do what is good in his eyes or what is wrong in his eyes. Our great Father knew that mankind would sin. BUT!!!!

“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” (Isaiah 4:2)

The beautiful branch of the Lord. That beautiful branch of the Lord is God’s Amazing Grace. Our awesome God sent his son to pay the debt of the sins of mankind.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Cleansed by his blood! Totally undeserved, If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I’m praying that you reach out. To God be all the glory!