Proper 15 B - 2 Sam 6:17a - New Direction Bible Reading Guide Volume III

"They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in the place." 2 Sam 6:17a

"Psalm 68 was probably written when the ark was brought to Jerusalem. Its opening words remind us what Moses used to say whenever the ark set out: "Arise, O Lord ..." (Numbers 10:35). As Jerusalem was built on land elevated far above most of the surrounding countryside, the psalmist records (in reference to bringing the ark up to Jerusalem): "Thou didst ascend the high mount" (Psalm 68:18).

Paul was later to apply this to Christ's ascension into heaven when writing to the Ephesians (4:8). Just as the joyful entrance into Jerusalem with the ark symbolized God's seating Himself on His throne, so the ascension into heaven further revealed the kingship of Jesus our Lord.

Not everyone was happy on this occasion. Saul's duaghter Michal, who had been restored as David's wife, watched. She loved the famous hero, not the simple believer. No one in Saul's house had been concerend about the ark. To her, it was a mystery that everyone was so happy.

Beacuse of Michal's scoffing, she became childless. The house of David was not to be built through her. She did not share David's faith nor his attitude toward people. When we fear the Lord, we are one with God's people.

Direction for today: Like David, be wholehearted in your worship of the Lord."

Burke and Knowles, New Direction Bible Reading Guide Volume II; Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.; Toronto, Ontario, 1986, Pg 212.

Proper 15 B - Psalm 24:3-4 - A Pure Heart, John Cassian

"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully."
Psalm 24:3-4

"In the case of some who have despised the greatest possessions of this world, and not only large sums of gold and silver but also large properties, we have seen them afterwards disturbed and excited over a knife or pencil or pin or pen ... they are without the love of which the apostel speaks: "If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." And from this it clearly follows that perfection is not arrived at simply by self denial ... That love consists in purity of heart alone. For not to be envious or boastful or arrogant or rude, not to insist on one's own way, not to rejoice in wrongdoing, not to think evil, and so on - what is all this except always to offer to God a perfect and clean heart and to keep it free from all disturbances."

~ John Cassian (360-435 - A monk and ascetic writer in Southern Gaul, disciple of St. John Chrysostom)

Proper 15 B - Eph 1:14 - Our Inheritance in Christ, Charles Spurgeon

"The earnest of our inheritance..."
Ephesians 1:14 KJV

"...[T]he realization that we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. We have tasted 'that the Lord is gracious,' but we do not yet know how good and gracious he is although what we know of His sweetness make us long for more. We are but beginners nor in spiritual education: For although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together; but as one says, 'He who has been in heaven but five minutes knows more that the general assembly of divines on earth.' We have many ungratified desires at present, but soon every wish will be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy. Oh, Christian, within a very little time you will be rid of all your trials and your troubles. Your eyes now suffused with tears will weep no longer. You will gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne. Even more, upon His throne you will sit. The triumph of His glory you will share; His crown, His joy, His paradise, these will be yours, and you will be coheir with Him who is the heir of all things..."

Proper 15 B - Eph. 1:12 - Your Church Can Thrive, Harold Percy

"...[T]he best answer I can give to the question of what it means to be the church is: The church is a community of people who are learning to live to the glory of God. Leith Anderson gives the best definition of the phrase 'living to the glory of God' that I have heard. He explains that to live to the glory of God means to live in such a way that we enhance God's reputation in the world. As the church, our calling is to live in such a way that we represent God well, so those who are estranged from God (whether through indifference, misinformation, or even hostility) will be attracted to and welcome God into their lives.

This is surely what is meant in the Epistle to the Ephesians when it says, in reference to the church, 'we [are] for the praise of his glory' (1:12)..."

Harold Percy, Your Church Can Thrive; Abington Press, Nashville, Tennessee; 2003; Pg 18.