1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16:1

THE ARK IS SETTLED IN ITS PLACEIn chapter 16 we find that the ark is placed in the tent David had prepared for it, and David provides for its perpetual care. It was an occasion of great joy on the part of the people of Israel. Then “they offered burnt sacrifices.” As we saw in our study of Leviticus, the burnt sacrifices typified what God sees in Christ. The burnt offering ascended to the presence of God. Also they offered “peace offerings” which speak of the fact that Christ made peace by the blood of His cross. Everything is right between God and us when we come God’s way through Christ. The exaltation of the Person of Christ and the fact that He shed His blood is the gospel right here in the Old Testament.

1 Chronicles 16:4

We need to get so involved in the Word of God that we become enthusiastic. Anyone who is enthusiastic and excited about a football game is called a fan, but a person who feels that way about religion is called a fanatic! Well, we don’t need fanatics, but we do need believers who get involved in the Word of God to the extent that they feel like thanking and praising the Lord God! David had this organized. Asaph was the chief, and next to him was Zechariahthen a whole list of them. My, what a group of musicians he had there. Now we see David’s glorious psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Chronicles 16:7

We’ll see this psalm again because it is Psalms 105. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works” (Psa_105:1-2). My friend, we need to talk about God and get His Word out. Unfortunately, many Christians today know more about the things advertised on television than they do about the Word of God. Also there are preachers among us who know more about the baseball clubs than they know about the Bible. In this computerized age we all are being pressed into a little form. My Christian friend, for God’s sake get into the Word of God and learn what liberty is in Christ!

1 Chronicles 16:8

God has been moving in the past, and He is still moving today. He is not through with this little world and I think that His hand can be seen in the affairs of the world today.

1 Chronicles 16:9

Singing is an important way in which to praise God. Although I can’t sing, I can make a “joyful noise unto the Lord.” I don’t attempt to sing in public, but when I get in the car by myself, I really let go with a song. It doesn’t sound good even to me, but I like to praise God.

1 Chronicles 16:10

Jas_4:8 tells us, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you….” All we must do for salvation is to come to Christ and trust Him as our Savior. God has promised that we shall be saved. However that doesn’t ensure fellowship with God. We have to follow through with “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” Do you seek His face continually? What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? When you go to bed at night, what is the last thing you think about? Do you think about God all during the day? Or do you just leave God behind when you go to work or go to school or go to a social gathering?

1 Chronicles 16:12

We were in the Hawaiian Islands, and one evening there was a glorious sunset. I called attention to it and said, “My, look at what God has done.” God does things in such a magnificent way. He had plenty of light, a great big sun, a lot of sky, and big mountains. He let that sun go down and put a lot of color in it just so we could enjoy it. David calls attention to God’s wonderful creation. He calls attention to God’s works.

1 Chronicles 16:13

God made judgments in all the earth at that time. I think that He is making judgments today. His hands are moving in the affairs of men. Oh, I know that Satan is the god of this world. I know that God has given him a certain amount of rope in the present age and that he is going to be turned loose in the Great Tribulation period. That does not mean that God is not in control. God is finally going to close in on Satan and all his works because He is the God of judgment.

1 Chronicles 16:15

There are many people who would like to minimize the covenant that God made with Abraham. Well, my friend, David doesn’t minimize that covenant. David says, “Let’s talk about it.” God’s covenants are still important today. God made a covenant with Abraham and He hasn’t gone back on it. God promised Abraham that He would give to him and to his offspring the land we call the Holy Land, and God is going to do it. When they get that land given to them from the hand of God, they will not need to fear the Egyptians or the Arabs or the Russians. They won’t need to fear anyone because every man is going to dwell under his own vine and under his own fig tree in peace. In other words, people will own their own property. All the land belongs to God, and God will give it to them in His time. Just as God made a covenant with Abraham and with his offspring, so God has also made covenants with us. He has promised us all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. It is apparent that David understood that God had made a covenant with him regarding the land.

1 Chronicles 16:18

God had His protecting hand on the patriarchs as they moved about. This has primary reference, I am sure, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but it has application for us as well. We need to be very careful about laying a hand or a tongue on God’s anointed. Before you criticize your pastor, ask yourself if you are hurting or helping the work of God.

1 Chronicles 16:23

Today all creation is groaning in pain waiting for the redemption of the sons of God. There is a day coming when all creation will be released. Then, my friend, we shall hear music the like of which we have never heard before.

1 Chronicles 16:26

The word idol is the Hebrew elil, meaning “a thing of naught.” Idols are nothings. They are just a piece of wood, or stone, or metal. They can be animal, vegetable or mineral. In contrast, the Lord God is identified as the Creator.

1 Chronicles 16:27

This does not simply mean to worship Him in a beautiful church. It means to worship Him in the beauty of holiness, all that He is in His person. Most of us don’t even know what it is to worship God. Right now as we read this psalm, don’t you really feel like just saying a little “Amen” or a “Glory to God” or a “Praise the Lord"not as little Christian cliches but from the depth of your heart? How wonderful He is!

1 Chronicles 16:30

That day is coming!

1 Chronicles 16:32

The trees are going to sing. I’m waiting for that day. Someone asks, “How do you think they’ll sing?” Well, I don’t know. But when we get to that day, you and I will both know. It will be wonderful. It will all be to the praise of God.

1 Chronicles 16:34

God is not short on mercy. Mercy is what I need. Mercy is what you need. He has plenty of it. Why don’t you go to Him today? He has what you need.

1 Chronicles 16:35

They kept the way open to God. Apparently there had not been a continuation of the sacrifices and of worship during the reign of Saul. David now organizes it. The ark is in Jerusalem, and he designates those who shall minister before the ark continually. It is interesting that we are not told who was his secretary of state, or his secretary of the treasury, or his representative at the United Nations, but we are told who were the ones who took care of the ark and who worshiped before God and carried on the spiritual matters of his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 16:41

This is the reason we are to give thanks to God"his mercy endureth forever.”