1 Chronicles 29:10-19

Blessed Be the God of Israel

Introduction:

As people we have doubts about everything that we can not see or touch. We tend to lean more towards our own understanding and forget about the existence of a higher power. My wife and I had been wanting to buy a home but I too had my doubts of the unlikelihood that it could happen. Though, we continue to serve God, there was this little hope in me that a window of opportunity would break through. One day I ran across this so-good-to-be-true add which I could not resist. I made that phone call and they started the paperwork even a pre-approval letter for home buying. Even though, the purchase process had started, I still had my doubts but I continued serving God even more faithfully. While doing this, I continued praying for a breakthrough. Lo and behold, 25 days after we started the process, we were able to close escrow.

Serving God faithfully and keeping away from self-centeredness brings us true freedom. Let's see what the Bible says about Serving God faithfully and keeping away from self-centeredness. Please turn your Bible to 1 Chronicles 29:10-19.

10 Then David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly; David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to my son Solomon that with single mind he may keep your commandments, your decrees, and your statutes, performing all of them, and that he may build the temple for which I have made provision.”

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king. 21 On the next day they offered sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD, a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their libations, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel; 22 and they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great joy.

In this passage David turned to the Lord in worship. First he made known who God is that He is the God of Israel. Then he spoke of his attributes of eternality, omnipotence, glory, and sovereignty. He acknowledged that God is the One who provide his people’s needs. Then he offered thanksgiving and praise with confessions.

David was concerned for Solomon’s inexperience in leadership traits. Therefore he assembled people to worship and offer gifts in preparation for the building of the temple. David lead by example by offering his gifts firsts then the people. Then after that he asked for continuous blessing, especially in enabling Solomon to have complete devoting to God.

There is a parallel story in Luke 1:56 about a man name Zechariah who had doubts about God’s promises. He did not stop serving God because of his doubts. In the end, God revealed him the promise of his son, John the Baptist who is the forerunner of the Messiah.

God's will can bring us true freedom. By looking at the text in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19, we can see how David acknowledged the people's need for God’s grace and forgiveness in order to receive His blessings. This serves as a reminder of human need, weakness, and sinfulness before God, and the only way to receive true freedom is through submission to His will. You and I need to highlight the importance of living a life of faith and obedience in order to experience the true blessings that come from God.

We need to understand that our own efforts and desires will never bring us true freedom - only God has the power to grant us true freedom. Having this knowledge can help us to let go of our self-centeredness and begin to submit ourselves to His will in order to receive His blessings. We need to understanding that His truth will help transform lives and bring them true peace. By listening to this sermon, I hope it can be a reminder for you to focus on living faithfully and obediently according to God's commands in order to experience the true freedom and blessings He has for us all.

Let this message to serve as a reminder of our human need for God’s grace and forgiveness in order to receive His blessings. We need to do whatever it takes to turn away from our self-centeredness, and focus on living faithfully and obediently according to God's commands. This includes studying the Bible, praying regularly, fasting, attending church, giving, and more.