Read 1 Chronicles 16:37-43
Interesting that David wanted all of Israel to be part of the celebration around the Ark as well as witness his appointment of priests and Levites in both Jerusalem and Gibeon. All of that before “all the people returned to their homes, and David turned and went home to bless his own family.” It makes sense that tradition holds that the Chronicler was from the Levite clan, possibly even the priest, Ezra.
What stood out to you in this reading? Other than assigning seventy (yes 70!) gatekeepers to watch over the Ark, being a worship leader myself, I was drawn to David’s assignment of musicians. They were commissioned to give thanks to God with their instruments. What a great assignment!
I don’t want to open any cans of worms here, but this is one text I referred to often when told by church leadership that the only instrument a church should have leading worship was the organ (or perhaps piano if no organist was available). Here, David wanted “trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments to accompany their songs of praise to God.”
We recently started leading worship in our home for the high school students from the orphanage where I work. David plays his guitar, and I’m on keys. Learning praise songs in Spanish has been our biggest challenge. We’ve been praising God together with our instruments for years at the different churches where David was pastor.
If you’ve never heard worship songs sung in another language, let me tell you it’s a real thrill. To be in a room with worshippers singing their hearts out in another tongue is powerful. It gives us a sliver of a glimpse at what heaven will sound like. God’s majesty astounds me because God understands every word, whether it’s in English, Spanish, French, Swahili, or whatever language is praising him. God is multilingual!
The majesty of God. Think about that today as you go about your tasks.
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for the assignment you have given me. Each one of us is called to worship you and give thanks with or without instruments. My heart overflows with gratitude for all the blessings in my life. From a roof over my head to food on the table every day, your abundance in my life is great. Help me to focus on your majesty so I can make the most of each moment of praise I sing to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
