Bless

O. T. #927  "Bless"
Feb. 16, 2017
1 Chronicles 29-Part 4
I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1


LET IT GLOW

When someone sneezes, often we hear another say, "Bless you." We used to say, "God bless you." But I don't hear it nowadays. Wonder why. Today, we find out that "bless" has another meaning.

David's prayer of praise begins with verse 10. He praises God, who is great, powerful, glorious, victorious, and majestic. David continues to adore God as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor, power and might are from Him. Everything we have comes from God.  We give only what He first gave to us.

Now, look at verse 15, as David admits:

• We are here for only a moment, as visitors and strangers.  
• Our days on earth are as a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
• The material gathered for the Temple comes from God.
• It all belongs to Him.
• He examines our hearts and rejoices when He finds integrity there.
• All that David did was with good motives.
• God's people gave willingly and joyously.
• Make your people always want to obey you.
• See to it that their love for You never changes.
• Give Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all Your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build the Temple.

When it is all said and done, life is but a vapor, here this moment and gone the next.
Dare we ask God to examine our heart? Will we ask God to keep us always wanting to obey Him and loving Him? Have we courage to ask God for a wholehearted desire to obey His Word?

Having a "whole heart" is to have a heart entirely dedicated to God. David prayed that Solomon would desire, above all else, to serve God. (Life Application Study Bible)

LET IT GROW

In closing his payer, David asked the assembly to bless the LORD their God. (verse 20)
Bless originally meant to bend the knee.
Israel did homage. The worshiped the LORD. Worshiped refers  to prostrate oneself.

Is that a different meaning for the word bless?
Have we lost the bowing and lying flat before the Lord in surrender as we pray and worship?

David acknowledged that the attitude of one's heart was more important than the offering in their hand. Here, the ultimate physical expression of an inward submission to God in all things. (MacArthur)

Psalm 103 is a good chapter to read in which David blessed the Lord.

Dear one, have we learned anything from this lesson today? Want to share with us?

LET IT GO

Bend my knees and flatten myself out in worship, prayer, praise, and surrender unto God.

Wholeheartedly, not partially obey God's commands.