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1 CHRONICLES 24:1-26:11 | ROMANS 4:1-12 | PSALM 13:1-6 | PROVERBS 19:15-16
We continue with a detailed chronicling of the various families in the tribe of Levi that have been appointed for the tasks of the priesthood. David assigns special tasks of attending to various functions of worship—from the musicians to the gatekeepers.
During his tenure as king, David takes his duties as leader of his people seriously, and in particular, takes it upon himself to make certain arrangements with respect to the act of corporate worship, which will go on to become traditions for the Jewish people.
Turning now to our reading in the book of Romans, we find that Paul is still in the midst of heavy theological debate on the topic of circumcision. The high-minded Jews residing in the city of Rome are not impressed with their Gentile brothers on whom they look down upon, owing to the fact that they are uncircumcised, among other things.
Paul has already explained how a physical circumcision pales in comparison to the spiritual circumcision of the heart, yet the Jews need more convincing. Today, Paul brings up Abraham, their foremost forefather in order to make the point about crediting the source of his justification and reason for being the father of the Jewish people.
Was it Abraham’s good works, perhaps his circumcised self that impressed God, asks Paul. Or, was it Abraham’s faith that appealed to God? The answer, of course, is the latter.
Paul explains, 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Herein lies the crux of everything it means to be a christian, i.e., a Christ-follower. Listen up, everyone! This is what is real: It is faith and nothing but faith in God’s righteousness and goodness as exemplified in the person of Jesus Christ’s blood-sacrifice that makes us worthy; it is not anything else whatsoever, and it is certainly nothing of our own doing.
Is that sufficiently clear, Paul seems to be asking.
Next, we turn to our psalm for the day, and find one that David must have certainly written in one of his darkest hours. He is weary of waiting for salvation, and yet, he is unwilling to lose hope. He says this:
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Finally, a verse from the book of Proverbs penned by King Solomon, one of the wise kings of Israel, who makes a sweeping statement about the state of affairs of mankind:
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.
Your reading of your devotional makes things even more sufficiently clear.
You are overly kind LOL!
Regards, Simmi D. Isaac (Sent from my iPhone)
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