Hidden in My Heart

And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he posesses" (Luke 12:15; NKJV)

Psalm 41

Psalm 41 is a general psalm that applies to anyone who might be considered "down."  The term "blessed" serves as bookends in verses 1 and 13.  Jehovah's tender, loving care is available when we find ourselves in time of trouble.

1.  Recognizes Human Compassion (41:1)

2.  Revels in Jehovah's Care for the Compassionate (41:1-3)

3.  Requests Grace, Health, and Forgiveness (41:4)

4.  Rehearses the Meanness that He Has Experienced (41:5-9)

5.  Requests Grace, Health, and Retribution (41:10)

6.  Revels in Jehovah's Care for Him Personally (41:11-12)

7.  Recognizes Divine Compassion (41:13)

"Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting!  Amen and Amen" (Psalm 41:13; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is probably the best known OT passage.  As a hymn of confidence, Psalm 23 pictures Jehovah as the disciple's Shepherd-King-Host.  The psalm progressively unveils the psalmist personal relationship with Jehovah in three stages.

1.  Exclamation - Jehovah is My Shepherd (23:1)

2.  Expectations - I Shall Not Want; I Will Fear No Evil (23:1-5)

3.  Exultation - My Cup Runs Over (23:5-6)

Allow Jehovah to shepherd you...to rule you...to host you.

Jason Cicero

Psalm 11

Introductory Affirmation (11:1a)

The Two Voices

1.  The Voice Urging Flight (11:1b-3)

2.  The Voice Urging Faith (11:4-7)

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3; KJV)

Curiously, David doesn't answer his question with an answer.  He answers it with a declaration.  “Jehovah is in his holy temple, Jehovah, his throne is in heaven…” (Psalm 11:4; ASV).  His point is unmistakable.  –GOD is unaffected by our storms.  He is undeterred by our problems.  He is unfrightened by these problems.  He is in His holy temple.  He is on His throne in heaven.  Foundations have fallen, but He has not.  GOD has made a business out of turning tragedy into triumph. 

Jason Cicero

Offerings for Building the Temple

"Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver" (1 Chronicles 29:3; NKJV).

David’s offering was not as penance, as atonement for sin, or to be seen of men. It was an expression of love. “LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells” (Psalm 26:8; NKJV).

Let our giving upon the first day of the week be an expression of our love for him too.

Jason Cicero

The Levites

In 1 Chronicles 23-27 we read how David organized the people for the purpose of transferring the kingdom to Solomon. It's important for us to understand that this was not an arbitrary organizing. David gave Solomon "the plans for all that he had by the Spirit...also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the articles of service in the house of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 28:11-13; NKJV). "All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing by His Hand upon me, all the works of these plans" (1 Chronicles 28:19; NKJV).

Consider Jehovah's organizing of the Levites:

1. All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests.

2. In order to be a priest, one must be of the tribe of Levi, of the branch of Kohath, and of the particular family of Aaron - see Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:10; 18:1-7.

3. In order to be High Priest, one must be of the family of Aaron, and the direct descendant of the High Priest, usually passed from the Priest to his oldest son.

4. Other Levites served in various capacities connected with the worship, but they did not offer the animal sacrifices or the incense - see Numbers 18:3

Jason Cicero

Satan and David

"Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel" (1 Chronicles 21:1; NKJV).

Satan – adversary

Devil – accuser, slanderer –He accuses man to God (Job 1:6-11; 2:1-5) –He accuses God to man (Genesis 3)

In the numbering of the people in 2 Samuel 24/1 Chronicles 21 Satan had his way with David. Our adversary can take something that is not sinful in and of itself (the numbering of people), and prey on our carnal man and lead us to sin. He successfully moved David in this instance. "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11; NKJV).

Jason Cicero