August 31-September 4, 2009

Note: This was revised on Monday, August 31st at 3:17 Phoenix time




Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and exalted him greatly. (II Chronicles 1:1)







The passing of the baton is the most crucial part of a relay. For a smooth transition, both the one relinquishing ownership and the one receiving ownership must be in stride together. They must be going at the same pace, and there must be a moment when both have their hand on the baton at the same time. This week we watch David pass the kingdom on to Solomon and cheer him on as he gains speed.

SOLOMON’S SECOND ANOINTING
David realized that his time is short. Before his death, he was sure to put everything in order. We see Solomon and David stride together as David gives Solomon the plans and provisions for the Temple. We see that Solomon is anointed a second time as king. Don’t you find it interesting that the fist three kings of Israel each were anointed as king more than once? Saul and Solomon were anointed twice, while David was anointed three times. The question is, “Why?” Perhaps we will be more enlightened concerning leadership if we take a moment to consider these events. In each case, their first anointing was a confirmation of choice. This anointing set them apart to be groomed for the position they would hold. Their second anointing was a setting in place with the authority to function in what they were chosen to do.

All too often, people who receive the first anointing of the Spirit, fail to see this as a selection process. Rather than embrace the following period of time with the understanding that they are in prep school, they begin to function in a realm of authority they have not yet been given. Unfortunately, many have aborted the true call God had initially intended, and set their hand to building kingdoms of their own making.

Solomon’s education consisted of listening and heeding his father’s plans and advice. David was a wise teacher. He was careful to recognize his son’s call, but he was also cautious and didn’t make Solomon wise in his own eyes. David desired his son to rely on God, just as he had learned to do. Obviously, David’s wisdom brought about its desired fruit. When God confronted Solomon in a dream and offered him his heart’s desire, his number one request was for wisdom and understanding.

SOLOMON’S SUBTLE EXCEPTION
From the beginning of Solomon’s reign, we are overwhelmed with the grandeur of his work. Often that can be the only focus of the information we are given concerning his rise to power. But there are two other facts that we would do well to pay attention to. They may not seem like much now, but they will be vital to our understanding of the upcoming events.

The first detail of Solomon’s life that we will want to tuck away in our memory banks for future reference is that “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David, EXCEPT he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” (I Kings 3:3) God was quite precise as to where incense was to be offered. There was only one altar that had His sanction - the golden altar that resided in the Tabernacle.

Why would Solomon bend the rules? The answer to that riddle is found in the other piece of data that we should retain.

And his house where he was to live, the other court inward from the hall, was of the same workmanship. He also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon had married. (I Kings 7:8)

It doesn’t take much research to discover that Solomon entered into a marriage alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt. Not only did he marry his daughter to seal the alliance, he showered her with extravagance. His actions reveal an attitude of heart that will later be spelled out in words; Solomon loved foreign women. From the very beginning, their effect on him is evident. Burning incense on high places would be something common to the worship of pagan gods. Although, in the beginning, Solomon offered his gifts to YHWH, it still shows his propensity to compromise. His compromise was not to whom he offered it, but how he offered it. Even Solomon found it acceptable to conform his worship to the ways of the world!

It is sad to see how many Christians are willing to use books, movies and media personalities as the source of truth, while their Bibles sit on their shelves collecting dust. They don’t even have to bother bringing them to church any more. It’s not that the points that are being made in the sermons are evil or total heresy; it’s that they are raised higher than what God did sanction – His Word!!! I guarantee you that if you were to hand a Bible to a vast majority of people and ask them to look something up, they would be in a quandary to know whether to look in the Old or New Covenant! Obadiah? Where’s that??? The beautiful sound of rustling leaves of Bible pages as worshippers followed the speaker on his Bible trail have been silenced by modern technology. People who only opened their Bibles on Sunday mornings, now don’t open them at all! In the pages of the Book, Solomon continues to stand as an example that compromise that starts in subtle ways can end up in major disaster! It in not only the “Who” that can be important, but the “how.”

SOLOMON THE BUILDER
Seven years from the time he started the building of the Temple it reached it’s completion. But this was not the only structure Solomon was known for. His building of his palace took more than twice as long and was equally as grand. But it didn’t stop there! As we continue on, we find that besides the cities he constructed for his chariots and the cities he rebuilt, he also built a beautiful palace for the daughter of Pharaoh. Although Solomon had MANY wives, the daughter of Pharaoh held preeminence. I find it strange that she is never mentioned by name, merely by her relationship to Pharaoh.

The Word gives us a clear list of Solomon’s building accomplishments. They included:
Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
Hall of Pillars
Hall of Justice – (the throne room)
His living quarters
Palace for Pharaoh’s daughter

We end the week with a detailed description of the Temple furnishings and the bringing of the Ark into the Temple. Before David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, he prepared a place for it. Before Solomon brought the Ark to the Temple, it had to be completed. The Temple went from glory to glory through the years of its construction until the day it was presented to God as the place for Him to bring His kingdom reign. Ephesians 2:19-22 says,

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

And like the building of the Temple, we too are going through the phases of being changed from glory to glory.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18


At the completion of this magnificent edifice and during its dedication, Solomon reminds the people of God’s word.

“Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, or did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.” II Chronicles 6:5-6

Solomon reminds them that this work began with his father David. God didn’t just choose anyone or any place; He chose his father and his father’s city. The baton had been passed, David’s dream of a house for God now complete! God fulfills His promises!!!

May we continue to learn from the lives of David and Solomon, and may we be careful when it is our turn to pass or receive the baton God has given us!

August 24-28

A psalm of Heman
Psalm 88
A psalm of Ethan
Psalm 89
A psalm of Asaph
Psalm 50




Hi faithful travelers. I’d like to introduce you to my friends. They are each psalmists. Perhaps you already know about them, or maybe this is your first face-to-face meeting with them. You will hear some of their songs this week and it may help to understand their message if you are more familiar with who they are.

Our first piece of music comes from Heman. Let me tell you a bit about Heman. This powerful man holds an exalted place among the singers of Israel. His official role as a leader among the musicians began when David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and placed it in the tabernacle he had erected for it.

Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark rested there. I Chronicles 6:31

When we examine his background, it is not too difficult to see how Heman rose to this place of prominence. You already know his grandfather.

These are those who served with their sons; from the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel. I Chronicles 6:33

The Samuel referenced is none other than the one who anointed Saul and David. Thank God that Heman chose to walk the way of his grandfather, and not the way of his father. You may recall that his father Joel was not a very godly man. Here, let me refresh your memory.

And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice. I Samuel 8:1-3

Obviously Samuel had a direct affect on Heman. What an encouragement to grandparents who may feel they missed the mark with their children. God is the God of the second chance, and grandchildren give us another opportunity to make a difference.

Keep in mind that Samuel was head of the school of the prophets. An important part of the ministry of prophecy was the ministry of music. You may recall Samuel’s words to Saul after he had anointed him.

And it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down form the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying. I Samuel 10:8

Music and the stirring of the Spirit have always gone hand in hand. Who knows! Perhaps Heman, being one of the “sons of the prophets,” was among the group that day. It wouldn’t surprise me. One thing we know for sure is that Heman grew to understand the power of music and prophecy. He was not only musically talented; he was prophetically gifted.

More, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals; (I Chronicles 25:1)

As I listen to Heman’s song, I hear a distant echo of David voice. Did Heman accompany David in the wilderness? When David fled Saul, he made a straight path for Samuel. Could it be that after Saul had the priests at Nob slain and after Samuel died, Heman felt the safest place to be was with David? His Psalm leads me to believe that he endured the same rejection as David and that he experienced it from a young age. David knew all that this man had been through, he knew his talents and his gifts, and he knew his integrity. And one of his songs made it in the favorite psalms hymnal!

The second gentleman I would like you to become acquainted with is Ethan. Unlike Heman’s song, which is quite serious and foreboding, Ethan’s song is a declaration of God’s power, majesty, and ability. Ethan was highly regarded by his fellow kinsman and as a result, he was appointed as one of the three chief musicians.

Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel, and from his relatives, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and from the sons of Merari their relatives, Ethan the son of Kushiah (I Chronicles 15:16-17) So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to sound aloud cymbals of bronze; (I Chronicles 15:19)

Although I can’t tell you much about Ethan’s background, I can tell you about his reputation. He, like Heman, was very wise. When God speaks of the greatness of Solomon’s wisdom we are told:

And Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations. (I Kings 4:30-31)

The words of his Psalm quickly identify why he had such great wisdom. Ethan perceived the greatness of who God is!

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to introduce Asaph. Not counting David, the most published composer in our Psalms Hymnal is Asaph. Twelve of the Psalms are attributed to him. Once again, we find that he had a close relationship with David. On the day the Ark was brought into Jerusalem, we are told:

Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the Lord. (I Chronicles 16:7)

David had such honor for Asaph that he left him and his relatives in charge of the music ministry before the Ark.

So he left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required. (I Chronicles 16:37)

Asaph had an appreciation for a variety of music and instruments, but his gifted drumming is deserving of honorable mention!

Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemir-amoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaniah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel with musical instruments, harps, lyres; also Asaph played loud-sounding cymbals, (I Chronicles 16:5)

As I mentioned concerning Heman, Asaph was also one who prophesied with his music.

There are other musicians also mentioned in David’s list of appointees, and in time we will meet others whose psalms made it into our Biblical hymnal, but why are Heman, Asaph and Ethan mentioned together as leaders. The answer is really quite simple. The Levitical priesthood was broken down into three divisions:

1. The descendants of Kohath – headed by Heman (I Chronicles 6:33)
2. The descendants of Gershom, - headed by Asaph (I Chronicles 6:39-43)
3. The descendants of Merari – headed by Ethan (I Chronicles 6:44-47)

Thus the entire spectrum of Levites was represented in music and prophecy with regard to the ministry before the Ark, and eventually the Temple.

As you listen to their songs, open your heart to hear the Temple choir and orchestra as they sing many of the words that are also in your heart. And always remember, we walk to the beat of a different drum!

August 17-21

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 122:1

Our journey this week continues to open our eyes to the terrain of David’s heart. Each Psalm is a vista in itself where we could camp and survey the topography of the land. We can travel from the land of blessing to the battlefield. We can enter the dark caves of despair or sit in the field with him as he contemplates the fragility of life. Is there any aspect of life David doesn’t speak about? Sin, humility, strength, victory, love, hate; it’s all there!

But this week our excursion takes us to a higher place. On Wednesday we begin to mount the fifteen steps of ascent that will lead us into the presence of God. The Psalms of ascent are comprised of Psalm 120-134. But why fifteen and what are their significance? A closer look at this particular number may begin to shed some light on the mystery.

The Hebrew language and culture is oriental in nature. What appears on the surface often contains a much deeper significance than is often hidden from the untrained eye. A simple letter can tell a story and have an effect on the word in which it is contained. A good example is the letter (*). This single character in the Hebrew alphabet is pronounced “dalet,” and when translated, is the same word for “door.” It has the numerical value of four. These are foreign concepts to our western mind. If I asked you what the letter “d” meant and what is its numerical value, you’d begin to question my reasoning. Because Hebrew letters have numerical values, words also carry numerical values. The shortened version of God’s name is hy and is pronounced “YAH.” The y equals 10 and the h equals 5. Together they carry the numerical value of 15.

But wait! There’s more!!! Every month, the moon begins its cycle. Each day it becomes fuller and fuller until it reaches its magnitude – ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY!

David’s name has the numerical value of fourteen and he was the fourteenth generation from Abraham. The kingdom of Israel did not reach its full glory until the reign of Solomon – THE FIFTEENTH GENERATION!

Is it coincidence that the three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had a fifteen-year overlap in their life spans? I think not!

The priestly blessing God commanded the priests to speak over the people to invoke His blessings on them is constructed of FIFTEEN carefully chosen words.

With God’s insight, David designed the Temple with FIFTEEN STEPS joining the women’s court to the men’s court.

So what is the common denominator in each of these things? They all show a progression to completeness and fulfillment. And what is that completeness? The presence and perfection of God.

The Israelites used the fifteen Psalms of Ascent in a few different ways.
1. They were spoken by the pilgrims who ascended to Jerusalem for the three pilgrimage festivals, Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Booths. Jerusalem is on a hill, so no matter which direction you come from, you will have to journey “up.”
2. They were recited each day of the Feast of Booths by the priests who stood on the fifteen steps in the Temple that ascended from the women’s court to the men’s court. This took place when the priests went each morning to draw the water from the pool of Shiloh, a fresh water pool near the Temple Mount, and returned to pour it out on the altar as an offering.
3. They were sung by the exiles returning to Jerusalem from their captivity in Babylon.

In each case, the aspiration was to rise higher and connect with God in His holiness. For centuries, even millenniums, the Jewish sages have tried to ascertain the mystery of the fifteen steps to holiness. Each time they think they have a continuous thread, when they pull it only to find it broken. Personally, I am convinced that if you take only the first statements of each chapter and put them end-to-end, you will find a continuous progression of thought. Careful examination will lead us to a greater understanding of God’s command, “Be holy as I am holy!”

Although we do not traverse all the Psalms of Ascent in our trek this week, I think it may be beneficial to look at the end-to-end progression of the fifteen Psalms. Here they are with no breaks.

In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He answered me. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious to us. Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now say, “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us.” Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion we were like those who dream. Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,” Let Israel now say, “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.” Out of the depths I cried to You, O Lord, “Lord, hear my voice!” Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters or in things too difficult for me. Remember, O Lord, on David’s behalf, all his afflictions.” Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! Behold; bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night in the house of the Lord!

I hope you were able to follow the progression from a life of trouble in this world to the place of true worship; serving in the house of the Lord! There is so much to see as we ascend into God’s presence to view His holiness and be changed from glory to glory. Keep your eyes and ears open. You don’t want to miss a thing!

* - Hebrew characters are unavailable on blog site

August 10-14

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24





Traveling through the Psalms with David is like riding a roller coaster. Some highs are extremely high, only to come crashing down to ultimate lows. Other times we feel like we are in a loop and find ourselves asking, “Haven’t we been here before?” Unlike many musicians who are merely temperamental – 50% temper, 50% mental – David’s life truly experienced these extremes. His victories as well as his woes are not an exaggeration.

Today things are not much different than they were in David’s time. Some people ride defiantly through life with their hands in the air, trying to prove to those around them that they are afraid of nothing. They work at showing no fear in the most difficult of times. They are determined that they do this in their own strength and never consider the bar across their laps that hold them in place. Remove the bar and then see how far their abilities will take them. There are times David prayed God would remove their safety bar and let them experience the consequences of their haughtiness and sin.

David was a white-knuckle rider. He hung on to God for dear life! When David was on the mountaintop, he shouted out praises; when he was in the valleys, he cried out in despair. But one thing remained constant no matter which part of his journey he was encountering; he trusted YHWH his God! This constant confidence filled him with constant hope. When life was dark and difficult, he believed God could change his situation. When he was down, he believed that, with God, there was a way up.

One thing that is for sure, David was not a quiet rider! He didn’t hold his breath in the frightening times, nor remain expressionless in the easier times. If God weren’t all-knowing (which thankfully He is!) God would never have had to question what David was thinking. He was a screamer, a shouter, a laugher, a declarer. Sometimes he was shouting “Amen,” and others he was screaming “Oh me!” David realized that God was concerned with EVERYTHING in his life and knew how to share each moment with his God. Good times and bad times alike were expressed through his relationship with God.

David was one of those people whose voice could be heard on every hill. He didn’t scream on the first hill and then remain silent on the rest of the rises. If he found himself in the same situation, or if he didn’t feel his prayer was answered, David had no problem pouring out his heart again. He may have been singing a different tune, but often the words were the same. His constant pleas remind me of a time in my life when I wondered if God would ever touch my circumstances. Daily I cried out for His intervention. One day I said to Him, “You must get weary of hearing me say the same thing every day.” God’s response was, “I never get tired of your prayers. My compassions are new every morning. Your cry comes to me today as though it is the first time I’ve heard it.” David knew what Jeremiah knew, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) We would do well to learn to ride this roller coaster of life the same way. It doesn’t matter that the hill we have just descended from is the same as the one we are ascending. We don’t need to say, “Oh, I screamed to God on the last one and therefore it would be a lack of faith to scream again.” Open your mouth and your heart and call out to the One whose compassions are new every morning. You are not going to exhaust Him with your constant pleas.

I would encourage you to pay attention to the variety of reasons for David’s prayers and praises. Make a list if it would help. There is nothing in your life that God does not want to be a part of. And everything He is and does deserves our praise. You’re already on this roller coaster called “life,” so pull down the security bar, hang on to God for dear life, and let your voice be heard!