LOYALTY with Loyalty

In our Bible study last night we were reviewing some homework pages together in our study of The Patriarch's by Beth Moore. We came to several passages of scripture that show God's LOYALTY to His people. [references: Gen. 20-21 / Psalm 136 / 2 Tim. 2:13]. She points out the Hebrew word hesed = which in its usage is about a covenant between two people - of love, favor, or kindness based on a covenant relationship. Just like God's covenant with Abraham. It's GOD'S LOYALTY that we don't want to miss here - as well as our response to it.

Beth Moore says: "The concept of hesed = Through covenant relationship by the blood of Jesus Christ, the God of all creation is loyal to us. Loyal... it drives me with urgency to be faithful in return."

Now, in reading my own studies early this morning God took me to 1 Chronicles 29. Interestingly, this is another prayer offered to the LORD by David - only this time in praise for God's loyalty to David's entire family. In reality - this prayer is David's and his family's RESPONSE to God's unending loyalty and faithfulness to them all.

Notice all the [highlights] - which represent the RESPONSE of David and His people to God's LOYALTY to them. Do we respond to God's LOYALTY - with loyalty - like that?

1 Chronicles 29 [selected]

David's Prayer

10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

"Praise be to you, O LORD,

God of our father Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power

and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;

You are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from You;

You are the ruler of all things.

In Your hands are strength and power

to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give You thanks,

and praise Your glorious Name.
14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in Your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building You a temple for Your Holy Name, it comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to You. 17 I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep Your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided."
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD Your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[30-Days of Faith Tested]

Observing in Silence