Today’s Reading, 1 Chronicles 9-11
Focal Scripture: 1 Chronicles 10:9 “They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news to their idols and the people.”
Telling good news is contagious to others. We see this all of the time in our daily lives. When couples get engaged they tell everyone. It is announced in person and social media. When they expect a child, the same thing happens. Plus you will often get a gender reveal party with even more festivities. The point is that people want to tell good news. However, not all news is good news to everyone.
In today’s reading we see that truth play out. The book of Chronicles is a different viewpoint of events that have already happened in Israel’s history. This section recaps the death of Saul and his sons on the battlefield. Once he died the Philistines were not nice to him. They took off his clothes, cut off his head, stole his armor, then spread the news to the people and their idols. Notice that last detail, they spread the glee and told their fake gods. They were so overjoyed they had to tell their story.
We do not need to leave to far from this scene because we have much to learn. First, good news is subjective. The Philistines were excited over death of the Jewish king. The Israelites were in mourning. The Philistines were determined to tell every one of their triumph. The Israelites were focused on recovering the bodies of Saul and his sons to make sure they are buried properly. Finally, a change was coming for everyone involved. New kingship and war was on the horizon. However, everyone knew what was happening.
The challenge we have as believers is what type of news do we spread to others. Do we spread good news about how God works in our lives? Or do we spread gossip and propaganda? Do we build others up or do we tear others down? What should always be said of Christ followers is that our news is good news, even when things seem dark and hopeless. The God that we serve is worth telling others about on a daily basis. If the Philistines were bold enough to tell fake gods their joyful news, how much more should we share ours.
Let us be a people that even in our suffering spread truth and joy. We have the greatest news in the world let us not be ashamed to share it with the world.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 1 Chronicles 12-14
