Daily Devotional For Sunday, May 3, 2026
Good morning and good day Southside! Today’s devotional reading comes from utilizing the biblical passage to read for May 3 from the One Year Chronological Bible. It is found in 1 Chronicles 23:28-32:
“The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as they served at the house of the LORD. They also took care of the courtyards and side rooms, helped perform the ceremonies of purification, and served in many other ways in the house of God. (29) They were in charge of the sacred bread that was set out on the table, the choice flour for the grain offerings, the wafers made without yeast, the cakes cooked in olive oil, and the other mixed breads. They were also responsible to check all the weights and measures. (30) And each morning and evening they stood before the LORD to sing songs of thanks and praise to him. (31) They assisted with the burnt offerings that were presented to the LORD on Sabbath days, at new moon celebrations, and at all the appointed festivals. The required number of Levites served in the LORD’s presence at all times, following all the procedures they had been given. (32) And so, under the supervision of the priests, the Levites watched over the Tabernacle and the Temple* and faithfully carried out their duties of service at the house of the LORD” (NLT).
Many believers will read this in the Bible and tend to skip it or skim read it. How sad and here is why? Do you believe that the whole Bible is God’s Word for us? If you say “yes,” then why would you skip this or skim read it? Even in how David set up and divided the Levites into 3 groups to serve at the house of the Lord is important and we can learn something from this. 1 Chronicles 23:6 says this, “Then David divided the Levites into divisions named after the clans descended from the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari” (NLT).
As you read the Chronicler gives the names and descendants of the Gershonites in 1 Chronicles 23:7-11. In 1 Chronicles 23:12-20, the Chronicler gives us the names and descendants of the Kothathites. In 1 Chronicles 23:21-23, the Chronicler gives us the names and descendants of the Merarites. Now, why is this important to us today and how does it relate or apply to us today? First of all, who were these people? They were the three leading segments of Israelite society – princes, priests and Levites. We can find this in 1 Chronicles 13:2, 2 Chronicles 30:25, 2 Chronicles 35:8, and Ezra 2:70.
All of these had to be males 30 years and older were counted for this from the Levites and here is how David broke their numbers down into groups and responsibilities in 1 Chronicles 23:3-5:
“All the Levites who were thirty years old or older were counted, and the total came to 38,000. (4) Then David said, “From all the Levites, 24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple of the Lord. Another 6,000 will serve as officials and judges. (5) Another 4,000 will work as gatekeepers, and 4,000 will praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have made.”
38,000! Can you imagine 38,000 responsible for everything involving a Temple that had not even been built yet? David’s son, Solomon, will eventually build the Temple for the Lord and use his father’s structure for who would do what? So, I ask again, how does this relate to us today? Old Testament scholar John Arthur Thompson breaks some of this down for us:
The “judges” and “officials” represent Levites involved in judicial work. These two terms often are found together in the Old Testament. The ‘officials’ perhaps were record keepers. The reference to supervising the work of the temple (v. 4) does not here refer to the construction of the temple but to activities concerned with the discharge of aspects of general administration of the temple and its services of worship” (Source: J.A. Thompson, New American Commentary, Vol. 9, “1 & 2 Chronicles,” pp. 169-170).
So, I ask again, how does this relate to us today? David is at the end of his life. He is old and his health is failing. It is time for him to turn leadership over to his son Solomon, just like Moses did with Joshua. The Israeli kingdom is secure and safe. It is the world superpower at this point by the hand of God, something David knows and gives all credit to God. Solomon will need to be warned not to stray or make the mistakes his father made.
As David had everything needed and in place to build the future Temple, which will be a place where worship will joyfully sound through heart and soul. God was building for them a future place to come and worship freely and wholeheartedly. The Apostle Paul refers to something similar in Ephesians 2:21-22, “We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. (22) Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit” (NLT).
So, back to our original question: What does this have to do with us today? Let me answer this by sharing with you another verse in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, (20) for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (NLT). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. This means so many things but for today I want to limit it to being like the Levites in David and Solomon’s time.
When you come to church and enter the worship service, do you praise God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength OR do you hold back? Are you more enthusiastic at a ballgame or watching on TV than you are in worship? Why would you give the Lord so little in a worship service when He has given you everything on a cross? Luke’s Gospel tells us that when Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the people began to shout, “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38), there was opposition by the religious leaders.
Jesus’ response was this in Luke 19:40, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (NLT). I don’t know about you, but I definitely do not want to be outdone by a lifeless rock. Many times those who come to worship have hearts that are as cold, hard and as lifeless as a rock. David in many of his Psalms encourages us to praise the Lord with everything in us. Revelation 19:1-8 speaks of a vast crowd in heaven shouting out their praises to God. “Shout” implies nothing from them is being held back in their worship and praise of the Lord.
Reflection Assignment: When you come to worship, do not see it as “attending” a worship service. See it as the Lord is right there in front of you. What will be your praise? Lax or all in? Our commitment in worship is an indicator of our commitment to the Lord overall. What does that reveal to you about your commitment to the Lord? Do not worry about what others think. You are there for an audience of One – the Lord. Will you give the Lord your all in worship? Why or why not?
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I do not want my heart in worship of You to be cold, hard and lifeless like a rock. Nor do I want the rocks to outdo me in worship of You. I covenant with You now to not be inhibited of worshipping You ever again. I love You Lord. I praise You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly