May 4
1 Chronicles 26:1-28:21
A few years ago as I was about to examine a patient when the fire alarm went off. My patients got dressed and they and my staff then left the office, most down the back staircase, but a couple left through the front door. Two of my staff members then yelled to me that there was a man down in front of the elevators. This is a medical building with a surgical center inside, and a couple of other physician offices. Myself and another practitioner were the first on the scene, and we initiated CPR and started yelling for others to get a defibrillator and notify 911. The man down had no pulse and was close to 350 pounds. As we continued to provide chest compressions, we shocked the patient once, and others also responded. One was an anesthesiologist who was able to intubate the patient and provide continuous oxygen, another was a former ER nurse, now our nurse practitioner who started a line and started pushing medications which were provided by the surgical center. He survived the situation and was sent to the hospital by the EMS providers, though we don't know his long term status at that time. I mention this because I am a physician since 1988, entered medical school in 1984, yet this was the first time that I was ever in a situation to do CPR. The situation was humbling to say the least. It was a reminder that we never know on a given day, which starts out as routinely as every other, when you might get called to do something out of the ordinary. When I reflect back, the fire alarm was a gift of God, in that without it the man would have been down significantly longer. Someone actually witnessed him collapse as they were leaving the office. Though I was able to do my part, I was so grateful for others and the expertise that they all possessed that just so happened to all be present that day and at that time, for if it happened later in the day the surgical center would have likely been closed. My nurse practitioner who was vital, is also not at that office every day. All praise to God!
In 1 Chronicles 26:1-19, we read the divisions and assignments of the various gatekeepers. I think of the various individuals in charge of security from our congregation. Hopefully, they will never be called into action, but they are ever vigilant and aware, seeing things that probably escape my notice, due to my lack of training. I am so thankful for all of them. Though these ancient cities had thick walls, etc, there were various gates which allowed entrance and exit. These gatekeepers had to be trustworthy, and alert to maintain security. They were placed in positions of trust, as laxness on their part could bring ruin to the nation. These qualities were also important in David's successor, Solomon, who was charged with building the temple and maintaining the nation. Notice David's words in 1 Chronicles 28:8-10, “So now, with God as our witness, and in the sight of all Israel—the Lord’s assembly—I give you this charge. Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance. “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” Notice he warned Solomon that his walk with God was to be continuous, dynamic and intimate. In other words, a real living and breathing relationship so that he would be prepared constantly. Notice the words of encouragement not to be afraid and why in 28:20, " Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."
When Jesus gives us our Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, notice the similar reassurance given to us, " Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Just as the temple of God required gatekeepers, we are now God's temple, as we read in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "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,". We also need gatekeepers to guard our temple from evil. The Holy Spirit, who resides within us provides us with continuous direction if we are sensitive to His leading. He will give us a healthy conscience and the proper "fear of the Lord" required to keep guard over our lives. We are safe when we heed His warnings, but we are in danger when we choose to ignore Him. Our walk with God is a marathon, it is a dynamic walk. Just as it took over thirty years to be called to do CPR on anything other than a training situation, we never know when Satan will attack or opportunities may arise. May we take David's warnings to Solomon and apply them personally. Maintaining an intimate relationship with God is essential to a healthy walk as His ambassadors on this earth.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: