I Chronicles

Today is Saturday.  It has been a good week, but a challenging week.  I have seen the lives of several members affected and found out that a few have fallen by the wayside.  That always hurts the heart of a pastor, for their sakes.  The Church will go on with or without us, but we will not be going on much longer without the Church.  Our salvation is settled, but our victory is fragile.  We must stay faithful to be fruitful, we must be engaged to be victorious.  This morning, I have a mens meeting and then we have our outreach.  It is my prayer that God uses it for His glory!  I am in I Chronicles, and here are a few jewels I want to share: 1) A SOUND OF A GOING- I cannot pass up this truth no matter how many times I read God's Word through.  In I Chron. 14:15, David asks should he go up against the enemy.  The answer in verse 14 is no, but go up against the mulberry trees.  And, in verse 15 it says:  "And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle:  for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines."  The "sound of going" was the sound of the wind, or a sound like an army was passing through, in the tops of the mulberry trees.  It was the sound of the LORD of Host, passing before the army of David to fight the enemy.  Oh, how we need to wait on God until we hear the sound of going in our midst.  I'm not looking for any external manifestations of God's presence, I have His Word on that!  But, I am aware of the fact that without God's presence leading the way... we are destined for failure.  We should never just go through our lives thinking God is leading just because God is with us.  His leadership, is for those who follow Him.  Oh that God would grant us a heart to listen, and will to follow!  How I long for that sound of going today, and everyday! 2) DAVID'S PSALM- David was the Psalmist of Israel.  He wrote many Psalms and according to I Chronicles 23:5, he made all of the instruments he had the Levites play before the LORD.  In I Chronicles 16:8-36, we have a sweet Psalms of David written out for us.  It is a beautiful song of deliverance and praise unto God.  David wanted singing to God done every morning, and every evening.  We too ought to sing unto the LORD.  Ever since a few months ago, when I saw so many references to singing in the Psalms, God spoke to me about it.  Now, I when I wake up, I do not get out of bed until I have sung a song or two of Praise unto the LORD.  Now, I don't sing out loud, but I do sing unto the LORD.  I hope you will join in a similar practice for the Lord as well. 3) THE GIANTS FELL- In I Chronicles 20:8, it says:  "These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."  Each generation has giants to face and conquer, but the good news is that the giants "fell".  They did not succeed in conquering the men of God, but God used the men of God to conquer them.  You can face your giants with the same God that David has.  He is the source of victory, not our strength or abilities.  Let us look to HIM as we face the giants in our lives. 4) ARISE THEREFORE, AND BE DOING- In I Chronicles 22:16 we have this command of David to his son Solomon.  "Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee."  The key to God's presence is the activity in His service.  Or, you could say, His presence promotes activity in His service.  Either way you look at it, you must be on the move to have the blessings of God upon your life.  "Be doing" was the command of our Savior as He left us.  "Occupy till I come".  God is on the move!  That is why He is likened to "wind" so many times.  The still air is not wind.  Wind is on the move and you can feel it's presence.  We too must be on the move to feel the presence of God.  So, arise and be doing!  LORD, please move in my life to day.  Let me hear the sound of going in my midst and let me go forth as You lead.  I love You this morning LORD, and my thoughts are toward You, I hunger for You and so desperately need You in every moment of each day.  I am Yours.  I want to so live my life today that You know that to be true.  Take my life and use it for Your glory.  Let me go where You are going, let me sing Your praises throughout the day.  Let's fellowship LORD.... I know you are willing.... so am I.  Amen. Have a blessed day in the LORD!  Pastor Mike Mutchler