1 Chronicles 19-21

"David said to Gad, 'I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.'

So the LORD sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand.'"

How was David able to say that God's mercy is "very great"? I mean, God struck down 70,000 men for the sin David committed. It's not what comes to mind when we think of mercy.

But I am humbled this morning, because of what David said. He knew God. He knew God as the creator of all things. He knew God's sovereignty. He knew God as, well, God. He knew that God has the authority and the power to do way more damage than to kill 70,000 men. Even though David was king, he knew his place in the eyes of God. And he certainly knew who God was to him.

I am humbled because I'm reminded this morning that this great God, the creator of all things, saw something in us worth saving, when he sent Jesus to die for us. And I'm a bit discouraged this morning because I don't feel that I'm worth being saved by God...

But it is the reminder of this great mercy and the love of God that keeps us going. Thank God that we are called his children this day. It scares me to think where I'd be without the love of Jesus in my life. I often feel overwhelmed these days, because I allow myself to dwell in doubt and fear. But I need to have faith in his word today that, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Isaiah 34-36

"Do not listen to Hezekiah. this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own - a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards."

This is what the commander of Assyria said to the Israelites before Assyria attacked Israel. They came and defiled the name of the Lord. They mocked God and told the Israelites not to believe in God's promise, power, and deliverance. Assyrians were obviously arrogant and believed that they are invincible.

I think we hear similar voices very often - sometimes from our own flesh or others because it is so easy to give up faith and buy into the lies of this world and the devil. We've been seeking God's wisdom and discernment about our careers and future. Let us not give up our faith but truly believe and act upon God's promise.

1 Chronicles 13-15

"As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart."

This same story is told in 2 Samuel. King David is dancing and rejoicing, and his wife despised him for acting in such an unkingly manner.

I find it interesting that in many of these bible stories, whenever I come across people that I scoff at for being so clueless, God reminds me that I am just like them. When I paused to think about Michal's reaction in seeing her husband, the king, dancing and praising among the common people, I realized that her reaction was completely normal.

We've been talking back and forth these days about the difference between God's way and world's way. We live in this world, so all of us are undoubtedly effected by it in many ways. And many of the reactions we have toward certain things that we see or hear have become so natural to us that we don't even stop to think whether they are right in the eyes of God.

Michal had a natural reaction to the way her husband, the king, acted. But we know that it was an unGodly reaction. David, on the other hand, reacted to the ark being brought back to his city by rejoicing in ways that seemed foolish to the world. But it was pleasing to God.

We all really need to seek God's wisdom regarding these unGodly reactions in our lives. Complaining is a natural reaction we have toward many situations. So natural that we don't even see them as complaints. I've been part of so many complaintfest (I apologize for making up words...) that I've only realized later on that I was, in fact, complaining the whole time. So hard to realize when we are complaining. Especially, when we are complaining about someone else among a group of people. How we need God's wisdom...

We promised each other that we'll always encourage each other. The more I think about it, that pretty much simply means we will always remind each other of God and point each other's eyes away from ourselves and unto him. True encouragement is never some empty words of comfort, but constant reminder of God's great promise in the bible.

When we see God in his rightful place in our lives, he will change our heart. Whatever situation we find ourselves in this day, let's ask God to help us see it through his eyes. And trust him and know that he will care for us:)

Isaiah 28-30

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

I think we are learning to wait for God. But, just like pastor Tim often says, it is God who is waiting for us. He is waiting for us to be obedient to his words. Although we do not completely see or understand God's plan for us, we know that God is a gracious and compassionate God who desires to bless us. Let us commit ourselves to his words and walk in it.

1 Chronicles 1-9

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles lists in detail the genealogy of Adam to Abraham. Just list of names after names after names.

You know, as I read nine chapters worth of people's names and their descendants, I was reminded that the bible is indeed a historical document. These stories in the bible, as unbelievable and miraculous or as evil as they seem, all really happened. And just as the things in the past really happened, the promises foretold in the bible will, also, happen. Jesus will return:)

We've been anxious these days, because we are unsure of how our lives will unfold in the next few months. But will there ever be a time when we are sure of all things? There is always something. Thank God that we are placed in situations where we will always depend on him. But often times, this is something we know in our head, yet so hard to live by. So easy for us to doubt...

I believe God spoke to me through his word this morning. He reminded me that your name and my name, just like all the names I read through in the genealogy, are written in the book of life! We are truly blessed.

There was a sentence that stuck out to me in chapter 7 of 1 Chronicles. It just simply says, "He answered their prayers because they trusted in him." This verse is referring to men that prayed to God in midst of an actual battle. If we are anxious of the situation in our lives, it really isn't much compared to soldiers at a battlefield. But no matter what the situation is, God wants us to really put our trust in him. And of course, if that is what he asks of us, he will surely take care of all our needs.

Let's trust the Lord our God this day. Let's ask him to remove all things within our hearts that doubt his sovereignty, his grace, his mercy, and his love. He is our unwavering rock. In him, we can be secure. And that we can certainly be sure of:)

Isaiah 21-23

These chapters talk about God's judgment against Babylon, Edom, Arabia, Jerusalem, and Tyre. I didn't quite understand all the meanings of the prophecies, but I am reminded today that God is the sovereign judge of the living and the dead. All the kings and nations in this world are under God's subjection.

I am comforted knowing that God knows everything I am going through. I wish I could be like Job thanking and worshiping God regardless of the circumstances. I pray that we will be obedient to God's will this day - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in our lives. I believe it would be much more than what we can imagine. Praise God!