“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” —1 Corinthians 1:30

“The Cathedral of Baseball” refers to the old Yankee Stadium located in the Bronx, in New York City. It was the home ballpark for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 2008. It’s also called “The House That Ruth Built,” derived from Babe Ruth, the once “hopeless, incorrigible” kid from Baltimore, whose prime years as a baseball superstar coincided with the stadium’s opening and the beginning of the Yankees’ winning history.

In 1 Chronicles 17, David desired to build a cathedral-like house of worship for the ark of God’s covenant. After conquering Jerusalem and successfully bringing the ark of the covenant back into the city, David shared this desire with Nathan the prophet: “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

David’s wish to build this temple for God was met with refusal:

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling…’” (1 Chronicles 17:3–5 ESV)

Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to build a house for David, which became realized in the form of a sure and perpetual dynasty. In fact, God says of the Davidic house and kingdom, that it is “my house and… my kingdom.” In other words, God’s eternal, heavenly kingdom will be present in and expressed through the Davidic kingdom.

This is the very heart of the Gospel message. Our eternal salvation has nothing to do with what we can build for God, but everything to do with what Jesus has built for us through His atonement on the cross. We don’t offer Jesus our own righteousness, rather He offers us His righteousness as our only justification before a holy God. Our relationship with God is built on nothing more or less than the saving work of Jesus. Forgiveness for our sins, reconciliation with God, peace in our hearts, a new beginning… this is all a result of what God builds for us through Christ.

This promise is not only realized in this lifetime, but the one to come. For Jesus has promised:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1–4)

Jesus is building for us an eternal dwelling, that where He is, we can be with Him forever. He is the Master Builder, and like David did, our only reasonable response should be to worship Him: “There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you” (1 Chronicles 17:20). Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Even the most commendable of my deeds are nothing but filthy rags compared to the holy and perfect nature of Jesus Christ. I recognize my deficiency before you, I confess my sins, and I receive what you have built for me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, and eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. When have you built something really impressive?
2. Do you think it was good that David wanted to build a house for God? (1 Kings 8:18)
3. What do you find significant about David’s prayer in vv. 16-27? What characteristics of this prayer should we emulate in our worship?
4. What is your response when you fully consider all that God has done for you through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ?
5. How can you express worship and gratitude this week for what God has built for you and continues to build for your future?

The post The House That God Built appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

Yogi Berra wasn’t just known for his formidable bat, but also for his plethora of quotable “Yogi-isms.” He also loved to chatter when trying to get an edge over the opponent. In His book “Nehemiah: Learning to Lead,” J.M. Boice wrote about the time Berra tried to distract Hank Aaron as the power hitter came to the plate in a World Series game between the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Braves.

Berra said, “Henry, you’re holding the bat wrong. You’re supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark.” Aaron didn’t say anything, but when the next pitch came, he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, “I didn’t come up here to read.”

If only King David had remained as focused on his purpose as Aaron was that day at the ballpark, he would’ve spared himself and his kingdom a great deal of pain. The text in 2 Samuel 11 says: “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”

David was idle while the other kings were “out to battle.” It’s been said that idle time is the devil’s playground. That seemed to be the case with David as he got distracted by his view of Bathsheba on the rooftop of his palace. That distraction set off an entire course of one wrong decision after another—the kind of stuff you’d think was scripted for a Netflix drama series. Lust, secret sins, manipulation, betrayal, murder. It’s all in there.

David ended up committing adultery with Bathsheba, and then had her husband killed to try and cover it up. The consequences were very severe as calamity came upon David’s own household. What started out as just a little distraction led to big sins with deadly consequences and ripple effects throughout his kingdom. The “man after God’s own heart” wasn’t immune to having his heart drift, and the chain reaction of sins that followed.

We are never more vulnerable to the enemy than when we are experiencing purpose-distraction or vision-drift. That’s why Peter gave this admonition to early followers of Jesus: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The Greek word translated “watchful” means to be “cautious,” “active,” or “roused from sleep.” It gives the connotation of taking heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtakes one.

If David’s attention had been where God wanted it, he would never have put it where God didn’t want it. Think about that as you seek to abide in Christ this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I desire a heart that is pleasing to you and a life that worships you in Spirit and Truth. It’s so easy to get distracted by things that have nothing to do with my calling and purpose, but you are greater. Holy Spirit, give me a sober mind to be watchful as the enemy prowls all around seeking one to devour. Help me stay awake in the hour of temptation. Empower me to focus on my purpose above every distraction and help me to have my eyes fixed on my heavenly calling. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. When have you been locked in on your life’s purpose with a tenacious focus? When have you experienced vision-drift or purpose-distraction?
2. In what times or seasons do you find yourself most vulnerable to distractions and temptations?
3. David was a man after God’s own heart but still ended up an adulterer and murderer. What are the lessons we can learn from this chapter of his life?
4. Has distraction led to sins that you need to confess right now?
5. In what areas of your relationship with Christ have you not been so “watchful”? How can you become more sober-minded this week?

The post Getting Distracted from Your Purpose appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”—Psalm 32:11 ESV

People who don’t understand your pain will never fully understand your praise. When they haven’t experienced your hurt, they won’t appreciate your hallelujahs! That’s okay, because your worship isn’t about them, it’s about the God who is worthy of every breath of your rejoicing. Think about the disgruntled churchgoer who griped: “I didn’t like worship today.” Which was met with the response: “That’s okay, we weren’t worshiping you.”

In ancient Israel, the ark of the covenant wasn’t just a golden box, it was indicative of God’s presence going with God’s people in all their undertakings. When it was missing, the “glory” of God had departed from them (1 Samuel 4:21) and they had defeat rather than victory over their enemies. So, it is no surprise that as the ark of God’s presence was being ushered back to Israel, the people would be rejoicing exceedingly.

As the ark of the Lord was coming into the city, David “danced before the Lord with all his might.” As he leapt and danced before the Lord, his wife looked out the window and “despised him in her heart.” That word “despise” means to feel contempt or a deep repugnance for. Synonyms include: detest, hate, loathe, and abhor. These are some strong feelings for a person to have for their spouse. Michal missed the significance of this moment. Her focus was not on God, and it led to resentment.

Michal wasn’t there when David faced failure earlier in the chapter as God’s wrath broke out against Uzzah. She wasn’t there when David was so “angry” with God he wanted to give up, so she couldn’t appreciate his present “adoration” for God after the situation was redeemed. If people weren’t there with you when you cried in the valley, they will have a hard time understanding why you worship the way you do when God brings you to the mountain top. But that’s okay, because your worship isn’t for them.

David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes.”

David refused to apologize for the way he worshiped his God. Which makes his worship even more precious, because it had no regard for anyone other than God. Jesus gave all that He had for you at the cross. Never be ashamed or apologize for the way you give yourself back to Him in worship. Sing and dance out of a LOVE response toward Christ, never for an acceptance response from man.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I praise you today. With all that is in me, I want to celebrate you more and more each day. Holy Spirit, teach my heart to worship, unapologetically and unashamedly, the God worthy of all my adoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. When have you felt “angry” toward God?
2. When have you let the opinions of others keep you from giving yourself wholeheartedly to God’s pleasure?
3. When have you been like Michal, judging others by the way they worship and serve God?
4. How can you express worship to God this day, with all that is within you? What does that look like for you?
5. From today’s reading, what is the Good News that God may want you to share with someone else?

The post Despised for Dancing appeared first on Jimmy Larche.