“Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad”
Although we have never seen King David, we can imagine what he looked in our mind, primarily because we have studied during school the kings who ruled the earth, seeing photos in our history textbooks. So, to begin, join with me to imagine King David in your mind.
Next, and maybe a bit tougher, we need to image the Ark of the Covenant, the coffin-like box that contained the mercy seat of God. This is the same container the Israelite priests carried high upon their shoulders across the Jordan River, when the Israelites stepped into the Promised Land for the very first time. King David knew the Ark of the Covenant needed to be brought to Jerusalem, and he placed it inside the tent, the one David had pitched for it. So, join with me to imagine the Ark of the Covenant in your mind.
When we place both King David and the Ark of the Covenant in the forefront of our mind’s eye, we then can see the offerings he prepared, leading him to place a blessing on the people of his kingdom. As their king, David also gave them food to eat: bread, meat, & cake.
Finally, hear the singing, the voices lifted in praise as the multitude of Levites appointed “to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel;” (The First Book of the Chronicles 16: 4b NASB). They lifted their array of musical instruments, playing unto the LORD, and then the choir director, Asaph, and his family sang a new song.
“Oh give thanks to the LORD,
(The First Book of the Chronicles 16: 8-12 NASB)
call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him,
sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,”
Please join me in praising the LORD: the KING of kings & the LORD of lords.
- Maybe, like me, you sway back and forth, close your eyes, raise your hands, and lean back your head—imagining the LORD in your mind.
- Maybe, like me, you dance like King David before the LORD, offering praise to your Redeemer.
- Maybe, as I do, you find yourself down upon your knees, just like the apostle Paul, thanking your Savior Jesus for making the way possible to save sinners such as you and me.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
.” (The Letter of Paul to the Romans 10: 1 & 4 NASB)
. . .
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
- To the ancient Jew, the Messiah was the King who was going to save Israel and restore God’s kingdom on earth.
- To the Israelites, the Son of God was the divine nature, the king of Israel.
Jesus—the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Son of God, the Christ—fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecy and promises when He came to earth and ushered in the Kingdom of God.
Thus, when we confess Jesus as our LORD of lords & KING of kings, as the Messiah, then:
- We are proclaiming HIM as our KING.
- We are humbly submitting our will to His will.
- We are obediently following His will and not our own.
- We are shouting to the world, “The KING is Coming,” as Jesus commissioned us before He ascended back to heaven and took His seat beside the throne of God.
Jesus has come and will come again, and as we know: JESUS KEEPS HIS PROMISES!
So, may we tell those we meet about the Good News of the risen Savior.
- God is on the move.
- The broken-hearted surround us each day.
- The Spirit of God is in the room.
- Jesus seeks to heal the lost one’s broken heart and bring him to Himself.
“But what does it say?
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 10: 8-13 NASB)
“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—
that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved;
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness,
and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
For the Scripture says,
“WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
[that means between the Israelites and us, the Gentiles]
for the same Lord is Lord of all,
abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Pause to put on your earbuds and listen to “Let The Church Sing” by Tauren Wells. Allow yourself to dance, twirl, throw back your head, and lift up your hands high as you worship KING JESUS.
When we stay in step with the Spirit of God, the one who dwells inside the believers, we will not be lured by selfish ambitions and worldly temptations, but we will be intentional in our walk with God. This takes focus and commitment on our part. A lackadaisical follower is not what God wants; for the Bible tells us that He wants one who seeks after Him daily with heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our LORD does not want us to be carelessly lazy or to lack enthusiasm for the gift of salvation we have received.
- So, although we have never heard the singing voices lifted in praise by the multitude of Levites.
- Even though we have never physically seen King David, nor The Ark of the Covenant, or KING JESUS, we can still praise THE LORD—
“Glory in His holy name;
(The First Book of the Chronicles 16: 10 & 24-27 NASB)
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad”
. . .
“Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place.”