This week, the third Monday of January often referred to as “Blue Monday”, our motivational verse for the week is taken from 1 Chronicles chapter 16:11. (If you’re feeling blue we hope this one will cheer you up!)
The basic message of Chronicles is about God himself who is a just God, but who never abandons his people. That’s a pretty motivational thought for a Monday morning!
There are two books of Chronicles, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, which are generally grouped with the books of Ezra and Nehemiah to form a broad historical reflection from the time of Adam through to the restoration of Judah.
In 1 Chronicles Chapter 16 (where we have picked up our verse for the week) we see a huge celebration take place. The Ark, a symbol of strength to the people of Israel that had been lost to battle for many years, was being returned to a central position in the temple. Emblematic of God’s presence at the centre of their lives.
The restoration of the Ark was accompanied by a day of burnt offerings and feasting. However, at the same time, David appointed a team of Levites to minister to the people in music, praise and prayer on an ongoing basis before the Ark.
This was not to be a lavish one day celebration for the people of Israel but the beginning of an ongoing and enduring practice of praise and worship.
Additionally, some of the Levites were appointed to reflect on God’s greatness and mercy. A part of our Christian faith that can be neglected in the busyness of every day life.
The steps for this commemoration were as follows:
- To record and keep a journal of the great things God has done
- Praise God at the time you receive his goodness
- Make time for meditation on the good things God has done
- Talk of His mercy often to others
- Use everything around you to remind you of God’s greatness.
Our verse (vs 11)
“Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face always!”
Is taken from a portion of chapter 16 that details the Psalm that David wrote to mark the feast day. In the Psalm David lists at least eight different ways that we can praise God either:
- Directly to God
- To others
- Recollecting to ourselves God’s great works.
In verse 11 we are told to “seek God’s face, always”, in verse 12 to “remember his marvellous works”
This chapter from 1 Chronicles documents a time of great celebration and a time for refocusing on the greatness of God, a perfect message for the week of the year when most people ditch their New Year resolutions and begin, perhaps, to feel disappointed with themselves.
Let’s try this week to use everything around us to remind us of God’s greatness and seek his face always.
Read the whole passage for this week’s verse
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