Deleted Scene

1 Chronicles 20:1

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins.

One thing I miss from my pre-mommy days is going out for movies. With more or less P200 per tix, it’s now too costly for a family of four to indulge in this kind of weekend bonding. To date, we only had one in the last 3 years, and yes, only because it was our child’s birthday, hahaha :>  Good thing the DVDs and Blu Rays came into being. Still not cheap, but at least one has the luxury of repeats for a lifetime. Another plus with these discs are the inclusion of interviews, production peeks, alternate endings, and deleted or extended scenes.  It’s the full story which every director wants the world to see, but due to either running time, censorship, ratings or added cash in, producers would hold. Regardless, those hidden clips brought depth to the whole watching experience. It moved films even closer to life.

With chapter 19 as another repeat account from 2 Samuel, it all the more highlighted why at the first verse of the next page, where we expect a controversial story to surface, we found none but a passing clue. I’m talking about the adulterous affair of David to Bathsheba. No producer would ever cut such a pivotal clip. Compared to David’s battle with the Ammonites and the Arameans, or his mighty men’s feats with Rapha’s giants, his downfall was definitely more appealing to the masses. So why would the chronicler not retell the story to the remnants? Surely it was not for the purpose of hiding the sin. For why leave the puzzle piece ‘at the time when kings go off to war.. David remained in Jerusalem’ if he wanted it completed forgotten? But why not talk about it? It has a moral story, right? OR, maybe the moral of the story is why God deleted the scene. Better yet, His grace in deleting the sin. One account is enough for us to learn from David’s mistakes. God saw no more need to dig up rotten filths, especially those dearest to Him. His love saw no purpose in keeping records of wrong, especially those who humbly sought to make it right with Him. And in case you missed it, it’s His call as the Producer.

There was a time in my life when I wished my testimony was more dramatic like those ultra-sinners turned Christians. I felt my experiences being in church all my life can pull no soul to see His grace abounding. One time in college, after hearing big stories of God’s provision and healing, one young lady praised God that although her experiences were seemingly simple, it was enough proof of God’s grace. Because while other were rescued amidst difficulty, God saw it fit that she was not at the scene at all. And that for her, was a miracle.  The point is, we are not the main characters here. Not our sins, not our repentance, not our moving on. God is the story here. If all we talk about is Pacman’s sin and sudden lifechange, we might as well delete it.  It should be God and His salvation hitting headlines. Sure, people will ask how we were in our past life, but the question is, do we have more to share now that God is in our lives? The beauty in Jesus’ film is because those scenes were nailed on the cross. All done and deleted. I love how Aslan declared it:  ‘Here is your brother, and there is no need to talk to him about what is past’. So instead of asking what’s been deleted, know WHY it was deleted. It’s the full story God wants the world to see.

Linsanity

1 Chronicles 18:13b

The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.

Surprising. Sensational. Shooting Star. That’s Linsanity. Giving Knicks eight wins out of ten games since his stunning February 4 feat, he became a viral name.  With half a million twitter followers and paparazzis digging his roots, he recently pleaded for his family’s privacy. But what he won’t seem to mind being talked about is his Christian faith. He actually prefers to be defined by it.  To others, it may seem like an overnight fame, but he saw it as God’s blessings, one after the other. Even his season of being undrafted, overlooked and cut twice were to him training days, spiritually, and by default, skillfully. With their loss last Friday night, which snapped their seven straight winning streak, it all the more proved his humility, and maturity. He knows he’s a work in progress. It’s just exciting to see him greater still considering Who’s behind his road to completion. That’s worth watching :>

Seeing chapter eighteen as another almost copy-paste account from 2 Samuel, my top question all morning yesterday was: so why was this story chosen in light of the remnants? How could David’s war victories be of relevance to the homecoming, ex-slaves? Wouldn’t it highlight their low status all the more? For those who would not guard his heart from despair and envy, probably yes. But to those whose heart is seeking God and His ways, this was the perfect answer. God wanted them to note that He gave David victories because he went, wherever needed. The golden age of Israel wasn’t an overnight sensation. There were long, tiring, bloody battles that David had to go through. The victory was promised but he had to claim it. One unique inclusion here was the mention of the great quantity of bronze that was brought to Jerusalem. God wanted the remnants to have a trace that even the beautiful temple that Solomon built had roots here. His provision for the temple wasn’t a one-time, heaven’s-floodgates-widely-opening. Those treasures had been saved and kept ‘til the appointed time. So as much as God would want to build Israel anew, they needed to actively work on it, not passively wait on it. They had to start somewhere.

In our church bulletin last Sunday, there was a challenge to start on a discipline. It could be a diet, a new hobby, or some family project. Anything. The point is to move those feet from plain wishing to actually doing it. Laziness and idleness according to the Bible is sin. It directly negates the God who is productive and all-powerful. For how could anyone see the greatness of God’s working to and through us if all we do is wait and wonder for a miracle from heaven? His promised blessings of strength, wisdom and success are all in the context of mobility. Not that He can’t do it apart from our inch-contribution, but more for us to experience His grace in detail. Jeremy Lin saw God in his every game. His praise wasn’t after shooting those straight wins. It has always been one game at a time. The ruins of life can be so overwhelming we’re clueless where to start. From today, we heard Him say: just one stone at a time. And when do we start? How about now.

iServe

1 Chronicles 17:18

What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. O LORD. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.

After breakfast today, my husband showed me on Yahoo a long read about tonight’s special edition of ABC’s Nightline dubbed ‘iFactory: Inside Apple’. This rare, public peek into the world’s largest electronic manufacturer is in response to various allegations and controversies marked by fourteen suicides and two deadly explosions, and sparked by articles and interviews exposing Foxconn’s poor working conditions. It is said that the 1.2 million Apple workers are in strict, almost robotic-like discipline, and are overworked, underpaid, and some, even underaged.  Here’s a portion of Weir’s disturbing, opening lines: 

"Okay." "Okay." "Okay."

The voices are robot feminine and they never shut up, each chirp a surreal announcement that another new iPad is about to be born.

"Okay." "Okay." "Okay."

A supervisor will bark the occasional order in Mandarin, but on this line the machines do most of the talking while the people work in silence.

Their faces are blank as they insert a chip or wipe a screen or plug in a diagnostic cable to hear that everything is "Okay."

And they will repeat that motion and hear that fembot voice a few thousand more times before lunch.

It is just an average day at Foxconn.

With the world’s idea of servanthood, be it hired or slavery, it’s no wonder no one liked the tag. For why would anyone sign himself to possible oppression?  But in today’s reading plus a thousand more mentions, ever wondered why the good God allowed it, even called for it? Let’s learn from David here. Once a shepherd, then a ruler, he’s our typical rags-to-riches guy. Except that he deviated from the typical. Yes, he’s enjoying the new luxurious status, but instead of embracing it all, he’s regularly seen inside a pitched tent, on his knees, and calling himself a servant. Many others would pay millions to be in his position of power and influence, how come he’s seemingly forfeiting such privileges?  Was David foolish in debasing himself, or we’re all just proud and self-deceived? He saw what most of us fail to realize: that God is so high up there and we’re so low down here. What is man compared to THE God? His infinity and perfection are way beyond us, not even with crowns on our head. David acknowledged that gap. He also saw praise in that gap. He was humbled and honored that his God, the highest Being, would reach down from on high to take hold of him, a lowly sinner. The same stance  Jesus took when He left the heavens for the cross. David’s CEO did that for him, and promised him much more. Would you not give your full loyalty, your life even, in return for such grace?

The Hebrew word for service and/or servant has two key ideas: action and obedience. It implies you have a work to perform and someone you belong to. The hard work part is usually the first surface-r, the initial complaints. But come to think of it, would you have the same level of stress given a different, kind-er boss?  OR, would you even suffer from overload if you have a considerate employer? Is it a possibility that our negative reaction to submission is because we fail to see that God’s ultimately incharge? Setting aside the inhumane allegations against Apple, what if you’re really in that routinary, tough job day in and day out, will God’s goodness never reach you? Will His promises for a bright future skip you? You may say, it’s easy for David to gladly take on the servant’s role for as king, he had everything around him. But note again, he was already as psalter as a shepherd; had songs as a fugitive; and wrote more even after he was banished from the throne. iServe I AM was his life’s theme. It’s no plain sailing, but ey, wouldn’t you give your all for a shot of being with the One who can walk on water and stop a storm? I wouldn't mind mopping the floor 24/7 if He's aboard!

Dream House

1 Chronicles 17:4

Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in’.

I woke up yesterday morning feeling so weak and heavy. I think the headache grew worse when I saw the already-messy house shouting my name. But I promised my husband I’ll keep myself in bed, and so I did. Lying there, I started praying. My first liner was ‘Lord, what do you want me to tell you?’ It was silence for a while. Then in faith I uttered praises. Soon the house issue surfaced and it vented out frustrations I never thought I had. I was just asking Him for provision so we could paint the homeschool room. I went sobbing when our conversation moved to having a house of my own. The cry was more because of the struggle between want and need. Am I asking a lot or should I accept my lot? Should I plead in faith or must I count His blessings instead?  

When my words finally died down, I opened the Bible for my daily reading and guess what? It was that account when David and God were talking about houses!  I had to stop at every verse because I had to sob my heart out. It was undeniably God talking to me! Of course, I prayed not to take it according to my desired-interpretation. So here’s the story: When David was finally settled as king, with a beautiful city named after him, he saw the discrepancy between his cedar house and the Lord’s tent.  He saw it in his heart to build God a temple and the prophet Nathan even encouraged it. But God said no. That wasn’t His plan, nor His command for anyone. It‘s never people doing something great for God. It has always been God displaying wonders to His people. He brought David’s remembrance to how he was taken from following the flock to be ruler over Israel. And if David thought that was it, here’s more: ‘I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth; I will provide a place for My people Israel so that they can have a home of their own;  I will subdue all your enemies; your offspring will be the one to build a house for me; and I will establish your throne forever’. It was like God saying, ‘You want to build a house for me? No son. I will build a house for you!’ 

I may not have the luxury of sitting in a cedar palace, but I’ve once and many times told God how it’d be better if we’re well-off so we could best serve Him. This chapter is proof it doesn’t work that way. He need no earthly things to build His heavenly kingdom. Bringing it home, I saw the foolishness of seeking after beautiful structures when His gift is to establish our family in a loving relationship with Him: ‘I will be (your) Father and (you) will be my son.. and I will never take My love away from (you)’.  Anything better than that? And who said He can’t provide me with a home? He who can orchestrate a chapter to match my heart’s cry, can sure prepare a place for me to match His heart’s delight. Giving has always been heaven’s idea. He can throw open its floodgates for blessings to pour out and we may not have room enough for it. So yes, I will keep asking - - actively praying. For while waiting, I will continue serving and counting daily blessings. That’s my take home. Note yours.

Love’s Story

1 Chronicles 16:41

With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, ‘for his love endures forever’.

As early as December last year, we’ve already marked February 12 as a one of the special Sundays in Kiddiepointe. When the team sat again four weeks ago, it took us quite some time to unearth a concept based on this question: How should kids celebrate Love Day? Definitely, the boy-girl, date-theme was readily discarded. Family love was next crossed out because we just had that last Christmastime. Friendship was next considered, but somehow, it couldn’t pull that chord of excitement to overflow us with ideas. We ended that meeting afloat. After another week, God’s faithfulness made us realize we’ve been wandering in circles instead of wonder-ing the Cross. How could we miss the greatest love of all? In pursuing His theme, t’was amazing how easily everything fell into place. The finished product yesterday was picture perfect: God so loving us and sending Jesus and the kids responding in love and seeking Jesus. Such a beautiful love story!

When the chronicler came to retell the story of bringing back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, everybody expected him to take hold of the account of Samuel and simply copy-paste the event details. He did. He even stretched it to two chapters long. But for some God-reason, he was kept in his chair, and his heart was somehow unsettled. From the pile of notes and scrolls around him, God prompted him to pull their songbook and soon found his answers. Three of these psalms were first sung corporately during that joyous event. David handed it over to his chief musicians and instructed them to sing it regularly before the Lord. It has been their hearts’ music ‘til they were exiled to Babylon. With the remnants back in promise land, God wanted them to learn their love song. He desired for them to see that the covenant of love He made with Abraham, Jacob and David was an everlasting one. That though they ‘wandered from nation to nation’, He kept them safe from harm. He kept them safe in His arms. 

With barely twelve hours to Hearts’ Day, many of us, singles especially, have our minds wondering and wandering how this season of love can beautifully include us. There are those in denial of course, but that doesn’t change the fact that we want to be part of a love story – both as givers and receivers. Either or both can be disappointing. As givers, what if they’re unappreciative? As receivers, what if they gave thoughtlessly? At the end of the day, you might end up even feeling worse. How then can God expect us to give thanks for His love? Like the remnants, God encourages us to look further back and move further on. The remnants immediate back was exile and their immediate front were ruins. Nothing appealing there. But looking further back, they saw the covenant promise, and further on, they saw the Messiah. Finally, they felt loved. I pray we can have the maturity to look beyond February 14 and see how high and wide and deep God’s love is for us. Look further back at the Cross and realize it was love at its best. Look further forward to eternity and you’ll run out of words describing how beautiful ever after is with God. Felt that love? 

One Safe Ground

1 Chronicles 16:4,6

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel… and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

I was alone with the kids when the 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Negros-Cebu around noontime yesterday. My heart both stopped and pumped fast seeing the monitor screen wave left and right. I managed to grab the kids and secured them under the table. They were giggling though, thinking we’re just playing hide-and-seek. The scare heightened when all lights went out and the ground’s still shaking. It was my longest 30 seconds ever. I was breathing hard and very exhausted all afternoon – though doing nothing at all. Tris said he was surprised to see his office floor dark and empty though he just left 15minutes to check the coast’s view from somewhere. Everybody just rushed out for their homes. Neighbor’s kids said they weren’t even allowed to get their bags. It’s a drop everything and go. We’re called to standby for aftershocks, but really, we’re more like standing still here. 

After the Ark of the Covenant was set inside the pitched tent in Zion, David instituted the resume of Temple offerings. The command can be traced back during Moses’ time after Sinai, along with the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle construction. God’s requirement was a daily routine of burnt offerings, plus the burning of incense and tending the Menorah. By routine it meant one in the morning, and one in the evening – without exceptions, and for all generations. The sweet savour was unto the Lord and for the pleasure of meeting Him and hearing from Him. In David’s time, added to making petition and giving thanks was praising God through songs – nonstop. It echoed through the New Testament, with Jesus as the Lamb sacrificed in our stead, and our unceasing prayers as the incense ascending up before God. It’s His ordained requirement in meeting with us. And it’s a regular thing.

I wonder if the priests in David’s time would stop praising God in cases of earthquakes. Will that qualify as an exception to a no-exception rule? Will a momentary stop apply to an ordinance that says forever?  We should be thankful we need not bring a cattle or lamb, or prepare the mix for incense powder or light up candles in our meetings with Him. I can’t imagine having to prepare all those with the ground and my heart all shaking yesterday just so He’d be pleased to see me and hear my panic. Praise God for the blood of Jesus, we have access to His presence – anytime. We may take it for granted in normal days, but we’d realize it so handy, even convenient, in times of great need. The number of times prayer was mentioned in the Scriptures, and now in reference to Temple offerings, prove it was meant to be observed – regularly. Day and night. Now if you’re wondering why God was so silent in revealing you His will, or in rushing to attend to your emergency prayers, guess who first failed in your meetings at the Tent?  To drop everything and go meant leaving the unnecessary to attend to life’s most important. It is the urgency that makes us run to One safe ground when all else are shaking and our hearts trembling.  But isn’t it better if we’re found safe in His arms even before harm strikes? Will we run when we’re already resting in Him?

Tastes Good

1 Chronicles 15:24b

Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

I had a funny realization last week that when it comes to brand names, the first items popping in my head are those I see on  grocery shelves. Not that mothers care less about fashion, but more because it took us a lot of time to mark one ‘my brand’.  The taste test phase can be tiring and discouraging, especially when very honest kids are your critics. Husbands can be forgiving but we know what that means. And so my search won’t stop until I hear him say ‘write this down!’.  There’s that sense of accomplishment walking back through those alleys and stopping exactly at the preferred item for the pick. No more re-reading labels. No more counting calories. I can even have unexpected guest without worries. For when it’s tried and tested, I know it will taste good!

Chronicles is a book with a lot of names. I had to consciously read each one aloud to keep me from skipping what seems to be irrelevant to life. But since I’m not an expectant parent needing baby tags, my stops are on those familiar personalities.  This morning, I saw him again: Obed-Edom. It took me just one page flip to remember he was the Gittite whose house was where the Ark of the Covenant was parked temporarily because of the Uzzah incident. It stayed with them for three months and God blessed his household and everything he had. It was surprising to see him in this chapter next to the pool of Levite musicians appointed for the service. His name was with three others and their designation was to be doorkeepers for the Ark. His leaders may have noted that the fact that he’s still alive meant God saw him fit near His presence. But what caught me most was the picture of his glad heart to have been given this extended privilege. Truth is, it was not the Ark who found shelter in his home. They were the ones who actually found refuge in Him.  He had seen and tasted the goodness of the Lord firsthand. And the taste was so good, he’d rather be there than a thousand elsewhere.

Admittedly, I am one of those gullible consumers that when new products hit the market, will give in for a test try. Nearly always, the disappointment leads me back to my trusted brands, with a little ‘i hate myself for the discontent’ of course. Not that my marked brand failed me, but more because I am one depraved being. I guess it’s the same foolishness when we continue to roam around, looking for fulfilment here and there, when all the ingredients we need for an abundant life is found in God.  Today I pray to have that gladness in Obed-Edom’s heart. That countenance that says ‘I have tasted the Lord’s goodness and it is so good!’ No need to taste-test other brands, for they’ll sure be bland. No need to try out other fads, for they’ll sure fade and not last. Compare that to His words that are sweeter than honey, and like milk nourishing the soul.  Looks good? I say, it tastes even better! Bon appétit :>

Screwed

1 Chronicles: 15:13

It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.

“Talk to him about moderation in all things. If you can once get him to the point of thinking that 'religion is all very well up to a point,' you can feel quite happy about his soul. A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all – and more amusing.” That’s from Screwtape to his novice tempter nephew, Wormwood. His thirty one letters were all schemes and tricks on how to make this ‘Patient’ fall into damnation. His long experience taught him that it is not with the evilest of evil that men turn to their side. Instead, he tells his apprentice, to choose the safe, gradual one: the subtle distractions, the little confusions, some pleasures here, or an added pursuit there.  The point is not to readily pull the Patient out from his faith. Rather, they’d likely to succeed if they’ll merely stop him from growing - - ‘til the coldness ushers him to darkness.  Quite brilliant actually.

I guess that’s how the enemies won over David in chapter 13. Since they already lost round one in making him completely forget about the Ark, they had to creep in their ruining efforts into the celebration itself.  They used David’s passion in making it big and grand and urgent to disregard further inquiries and prescribed details; they utilized the priests’ passivity and let them believe t’was submission to the king or maybe, calling it ‘the modern way’; and they urged Uzzah to see it was heroic to save the Ark from falling. The processional’s halt and the Ark’s parking at Obed-Edom’s house because of Uzzah’s death probably elated Wormwood. But he forgot his uncle’s warning not to make it too spectacular because big sins has a way of even bringing men back to their One enemy. And it did. David spent three months seeking God’s will regarding the matter. His sin brought him back to His Forgiver. We can read in chapter 15 that he tried again. This time, thoroughly and thoughtfully following God’s process ‘til the Ark was set inside the tent.  Screwtape was screwed once again. 

‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ was Edmund Burkes’ famous line. Today we learned that equally fatal to the victorious life is when good men do less. Woodworm’s received instruction was not to totally cut us from prayer, but to move us from unceasingly to just mealtime nods. His instruction was not to persecute Christians from reading the bible, rather to make it look like a nice alternative to counting sheep, or maybe send us more magazine subscriptions for cross reference. Lukewarmness is not the absence of God in our life. It is the presence of many other things distracting us, making our walks dull. Don’t let the enemy woodworm you by majoring on the minors. Don’t let them screw you up by saying you have the right to centerstage. Resist this uncle-nephew tandem. Stand firm against them, and be strong in your faith. Keep watch, stay alert, and yes, tighten those screws.

Remember Me Project

1 Chronicles: 14:13,14

Once more the Philistines raided the valley, so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, ‘Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees’.

Last Friday, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum hosted a candle-light ceremony to honor the victims of the Nazi persecution and to promote awareness to help-prevent future genocides. There was an estimate of 1.5 million Jewish children and tens of thousands other youths who died during the Holocaust. Thank God, there were survivors. After the war, social service agencies across Europe were able to photograph some 1,100 of those displaced children. As of November 2011, 230 of them were found and their stories heard via the Museum’s Remember Me? Project.  Newer pictures were attached to their old, younger versions, meaning, they’ve survived and continued life. I’ve cried over Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful , but these best pictures are no match to these photographs. They’re worth our remembrance.

Walls broken down and every building burned. Rubbles were all that’s left in the once glorious city of David. The remnants knew his name as the greatest king who ever lived. That he fought against giants and armies, as a fugitive ‘til he’s crowned. They probably wished they were born in his timeline instead. Or prayed for someone like him to help them rise from ground zero. It was at this point that God moved his chronicler to choose this story of David against the Philistines. He had just been anointed as king when his enemies full-forced-raided the valley, twice. As listeners, I imagine the remnants awaiting to know his signature moves, or his battle strategies, or at least his quotes to live by.  And it did not disappoint them. For he had all three. His winning move was to inquire of the Lord. Two wars, both times. His battle strategies were dictated by God: one straight up, one by circling around.  The second one with the note, ‘God has gone out in front of you’. That was the quote he likewise lived by. It made his fame spread throughout every land; made him the greatest king in Judah’s eyes. He’s worth their inspiration. Worth their remembrance. 

Holocaust survivors had people to thank God for. Latest finds mentioned a nanny who pretended to be his non-Jewish mother; another remembered an American MP who escorted them safely to an apartment; one was already lined up against the wall for the shot when an army lieutenant appeared, placed them under arrest, and then miraculously set them free. These stories were already engraved in their hearts. The same engraving that David’s army and the remnants many years after kept treasured because they experienced God’s salvation. Our stories may not be as dim as the holocaust. But sin’s slavery and its sure eternal punishment in hell was the worst ever written. To us who have already been saved, may we see the need to publicize those photos so that the world would see and hear His grace. To those of you still trapped and in deep pits, He said ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I shall rescue you’. He will leave his ninety-nine other sheep just to find you. His heart is set to see a new you on His wall, reconnected to Him and with a beautiful story to share.  Let’s Remember God today.