The Lord was so kind to his church. Despite their folly, insubordination, idolatry, arrogance, and spiritual apathy, he refused to forsake his covenantal vows. He showered unfathomable grace upon his unworthy congregation. He humbled them, worked repentance in their hearts, and brought them back to himself. In addition, he also allowed the Ark of the Covenant to be recollected. On that particular day it was to be properly installed in David’s tent. However, God had even more grace to bestow. He was determined to meet with his congregation and further bless them. They would enjoy glorifying the Lord, and in the process he would gloriously bless them.
Therefore, at the proper hour, David assembled the congregation. Other leaders joined in and served utilizing their God-given talents, and this is what it looked like:
… They brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel … to play harps and lyres … to sound the cymbals … to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD … (1 Chronicles 16:1-7)
It was a celebratory service like none other — filled with preparation, proclamations, promises, prayers, offerings, food, fellowship, instruments, singing, shouting, and dance. It was a honorable and festive worship service filled with God’s presence and blessing. And when the corporate celebration was complete, the holy and enjoyable festivities continued. Household worship took place:
Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household. (1 Chronicles 16:43)
This morning, while I am enjoying a time of vacation, family, warm coffee, and personal devotions at home, there is a part of me that wishes I could gather with my church family for a time of festive thanksgiving. How much fun it would be to have Jesus Christ — our Prophet, Priest, and King — lead us in …
- Assembling
- Reading his sweet directives
- Hearing his fantastic Gospel promises
- Offering afresh our hearts and bodies as living sacrifices
- Offering forth holy, honorable, and festive worship
- Communing with brothers and sisters who have been likewise graced
Yes, there is a part of me that would love to gather this morning to dance and dine as David did before his Sovereign Savior.
Sure, there is an opportunity for me to do so in a couple days. Every Sunday, Jesus Christ — our Prophet, Priest, and King — gathers his own and lead them in worship. Will you miss the celebration?
However, today, I will not miss this opportunity with my personal family. Today, I will thank my God. Today, I will bless my spouse, children, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and significant others by helping them give thanks to God. And in the process, as I seek to gloriously bless the name of Jesus, he will gloriously bless me and mine.
Wow! What a God! What a Savior! What a Friend! What a privilege! What unfathomable grace!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Unfathomable Grace 