Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! – 1 Chronicles 16:34
In 586 BC, the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem. Under the command of King Nebuchadnezzar II, they destroyed the Temple and its most sacred among the artifacts there, the Ark of the Covenant, disappeared. Was it stolen? Had it been taken by Menelik, the son of King Solomon, to Ethiopia, either by surreptitious means or as a gift? Was it hidden by the priests in tunnels under the Temple Mount? Did Crusaders find it and take it to Scotland? Is it buried on Oak Island, Nova Scotia? And, as some have speculated, will God soon reveal it? In chapter 11 of the book of Revelation, the Apostle John was seeing things yet in the future. He records that at the coming time of the seventh trumpet, ”God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of the covenant was seen within his temple” (verse 19).
In today’s verse, King David is celebrating and praising God for the Ark had been brought to Jerusalem and placed inside a tent that David had prepared for it. The people rejoiced because the place where God chose to dwell on Earth, was now among them. It conveyed the covenant God had with His people, and His promises of protection and guidance. The Ark was seen as the place of the perpetual presence of the Lord. In the midst of their fallen world, the people of Israel knew God was there!
Jeremiah prophecies, “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jeremiah 31:31). Hebrews 8:13 declares that day has come. Jesus explained the new covenant in Luke 22:20: “And likewise the cup, after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”
David sang, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” How much more can you sing out thanksgiving for the Sovereign King of the Universe is ever present with you. He is good, and His steadfast love abounds to you eternally. In the fallen world of today, God is with you! Pray for a greater sense of gratitude among Christians for the depth of God’s love for each person, and that they might reciprocate that love by what they show to one another.
Today’s Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Chronicles 16:1, 7-13, 28-34
And 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.
7 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
