The Service of the Lord
W. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 15:16-29 And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers to be the singers with instruments of music… This passage is instructive, as conveying some valuable lessons, universally and abidingly applicable, respecting our service of the Supreme. We learn - I. THAT WE SHOULD CHEERFULLY RENDER SUCH SERVICE AS WE ARE FITTED TO BRING. In this ceremony the services rendered were manifold. Some (the chief of the Levites) had the work of selection and appointment (vers. 16, 17); some took the part of playing with cymbals (ver. 19); others with psalteries (ver. 20); others with harps (ver. 21); others "did blow with the trumpets" (ver. 24); others acted as doorkeepers or custodians of the ark (vers. 23, 24); yet others ministered in sacred song (vers. 22, 27). David himself danced and played before the Lord (ver. 29; 2 Samuel 6:14). As "all our springs are in God" - all the sources of our strength and joy - so all our faculties may be devoted to his service; "as well the singers as the players on instruments." are to be engaged in worshipping him (see Psalm 87:7). We have very varied talents, both in kind and in degree; the only thing to be careful about is that we do not hide any of them in the earth, but put them all out in the service of Christ. Nothing can be less worthy of a Christian man than to disregard the contribution of a neighbour because it is other or smaller than our own; nothing can be more needless than to be distressed because of the larger or loftier contribution than our own: let each bring to the Lord of love and righteousness that which he entrusted to his charge, and he shall "in no wise lose his reward." II. THAT WE SHOULD ALL MAKE FITTING PREPARATION FOR THE SERVICE WE ARE ABOUT TO RENDER. The king who was careful to be dressed in a way that made him most equal to his combat with the Giant (1 Samuel 17.), now sees to it that he is suitably attired for the work before him; the others who took part in the procession were similarly careful When we address ourselves to work for our Divine Master, we should see that we are suitably equipped. We may look for help from God (as we shall see presently), but we must not presumptuously neglect the conditions of success. We are to be armed for our effort with all appropriate weapons; we are to be clothed, not only with humility, but with knowledge, zeal, devotion, perseverance. III. THAT WE MAY RECKON ON DIVINE HELP IF WE ARE DOING THE WORK TO WHICH HE CALLS US. "God helped the Levites that bare the ark" (ver. 26). There was nothing in the act in which they were engaged that was peculiarly trying to their strength; nevertheless they received help from Omnipotence to do their work. In God is the source of all our strength; there is nothing we can do purely "of ourselves;" all our sufficiency is of him. And if the Levites needed Divine help in bearing the burden which they carried, how much more do we need it! and with what frequency and earnestness should we seek it, when we boar those burdens for him which require, not some slight muscular exertion, but much mental, moral, and spiritual excellency! IV. THAT WE MUST NOT BE DETAINED FROM THE SERVICE OF GOD BY THE PERVERSITY OF THE IRRELIGIOUS. Michal despised David for his godly zeal (ver. 29). She lacked the devotedness of heart which her husband possessed, and therefore she misjudged his action. Ungodliness cannot understand, cannot appreciate religious earnestness; it therefore disregards, and even despises it. We are not to be moved by this consideration David would not have omitted his service had he known beforehand the reception which awaited him at the royal palace. We are not to be detained from the active, enthusiastic service of our Lord and of our perishing brethren because we are well aware that there will be those who, looking out from the window of their own impiety or indifference, will regard us with cynical contempt. All of this will weigh but as the small dust of the balance against the gratitude of those we serve, and the "well done" of the approving Lord. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. WEB: David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.