April 7 - I Chronicles 5-8
This passage brings us almost to the end of the genealogies, which are the foundation for the rest of the book. It is tedious reading, but it reminds us that history involves a lot of people. People form families, and families form society. Therefore, if you want to change society, you must change the individuals that make up the society. That is why the church must be concerned about changing lives and not just organizing activities. What we do proceeds from who we are. God's design is for us to become like Jesus. That is God's will for each and every individual.
In the middle of the genealogies the Lord gives special recognition to three of the musicians who served in the house of the Lord, Heman, the singer, Asaph, and Ethan or Jeduthun. This is very significant to me. It shows the importance of music in the worship of God's people. Ever since the days of the worship in the Tabernacle when crowds of people would come together to offer sacrifices, there has been a ministry of music. God did not just call on members of the tribe of Levi to offer the animal sacrifices, but to offer the sacrifices of praise to Him, also. That is why today it is good for us to have a worship leader or a minister of music in our churches. Music is dear to God's heart. There is no other religion in the world that puts this kind of emphasis on music and worship, because there is no other religion that promotes a personal relationship with God through His only begotten Son. The worshippers in other religions do not have a relationship to celebrate. Music is God's way for us to celebrate our relationship with Him. It is a wonderful gift from God. Take a minute to think about how worship music has impacted your life. If you have never realized the importance of music, I hope you will consider making a change in your life to include music in your personal and corporate worship.
Just one note of warning. I believe that music can be used to lead us to the Lord, but Satan can also use music to lead us away from God. Since music has a powerful impact in our lives, we must make sure it has a positive impact, instead of a negative impact. Ask yourself, "Does the music I listen to lead me closer to God or farther away?" If you have to make excuses for your music, it is probably taking you away from the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 9-12.
In the middle of the genealogies the Lord gives special recognition to three of the musicians who served in the house of the Lord, Heman, the singer, Asaph, and Ethan or Jeduthun. This is very significant to me. It shows the importance of music in the worship of God's people. Ever since the days of the worship in the Tabernacle when crowds of people would come together to offer sacrifices, there has been a ministry of music. God did not just call on members of the tribe of Levi to offer the animal sacrifices, but to offer the sacrifices of praise to Him, also. That is why today it is good for us to have a worship leader or a minister of music in our churches. Music is dear to God's heart. There is no other religion in the world that puts this kind of emphasis on music and worship, because there is no other religion that promotes a personal relationship with God through His only begotten Son. The worshippers in other religions do not have a relationship to celebrate. Music is God's way for us to celebrate our relationship with Him. It is a wonderful gift from God. Take a minute to think about how worship music has impacted your life. If you have never realized the importance of music, I hope you will consider making a change in your life to include music in your personal and corporate worship.
Just one note of warning. I believe that music can be used to lead us to the Lord, but Satan can also use music to lead us away from God. Since music has a powerful impact in our lives, we must make sure it has a positive impact, instead of a negative impact. Ask yourself, "Does the music I listen to lead me closer to God or farther away?" If you have to make excuses for your music, it is probably taking you away from the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 9-12.