"Excellence" April 15 Readings: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3
Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022
This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT.
Bible Readings: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3
Background:
Today's readings in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles tell of the building of the Temple by Solomon.
Daily Devotional: Excellence
It is an argument that has been had often in choirs and music programs around the country, especially back when "special music" was more a part of worship than it is in many churches today. There are many who over-evaluate their own musical talents. I have heard many a solo sung in church by folks who should be reluctant to sing anywhere but the shower.
"Sing a joyful noise to the Lord," someone will respond. It's more about your heart for worship than the quality with which you worship. It is more about the beauty of our praise than the beauty of our buildings that ought to matter. It is more about enthusiasm than excellence, right?
There is certainly truth there. If our hearts are not right then all the production value, grandiose beauty, or musical excellence will not suffice. But that does not mean that God cares nothing for beauty or excellence. When we examine the building of the Temple and its staffing, we see a God of order and excellence and beauty. one who also cares about skill.
As we live our lives it matters most that we do things from a pure heart, a heart of joy and humility. Our desire must be to serve God with passion and purity. But as we serve him it is also good to seek to do things well and to serve Christ with skill and excellence. These can be at odds and we must always seek to keep them in balance.
"Sing a joyful noise to the Lord," someone will respond. It's more about your heart for worship than the quality with which you worship. It is more about the beauty of our praise than the beauty of our buildings that ought to matter. It is more about enthusiasm than excellence, right?
There is certainly truth there. If our hearts are not right then all the production value, grandiose beauty, or musical excellence will not suffice. But that does not mean that God cares nothing for beauty or excellence. When we examine the building of the Temple and its staffing, we see a God of order and excellence and beauty. one who also cares about skill.
As we live our lives it matters most that we do things from a pure heart, a heart of joy and humility. Our desire must be to serve God with passion and purity. But as we serve him it is also good to seek to do things well and to serve Christ with skill and excellence. These can be at odds and we must always seek to keep them in balance.
Father, may I serve you with a pure heart, but also seek to do all things well.
Consider God's Word:
In your service to God do you seek to keep the balance between a pure heart of passion and a desire for skill and excellence?
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