And Then There Were the Musicians

“We…have inner strengths and gifts that need to be refined but we’re not aware of them because a demand hasn’t been placed on them.” The Word for You Today, 9-30-18

When I married David, I determined to bring honor to his surname. My actions showed his name meant hardworking, honesty, doing the right thing, faithfulness, and dependability. David was already living this way. We taught our children the same things.

But what if you were born into a family with a different reputation? Are there strengths and gifts in you? Yes!

1 Chronicles 7:21, “…Ezer and Elead, cattle-rustlers, killed on one of their raids by the natives of Gath.” The Message

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1 Chronicles 7:24, “His daughter was Sheerah. She built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah.” The Message

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“Beth-Horon, House of the Hollow… Much later King Solomon would fortify both Beth-Horons (2 Chronicles 8:5). abarim-publications.com

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“Uzzen-Sheerah, NOBSE Study Bible Name List…some sharp pinnacle and reads ‘Top of Sheerah.’ ” abarim-publications.com

While her brothers were out rustling cattle, Sheerah was building defendable towns. Two of them were later used as fortresses. The third had a pinnacle where she could watch for danger.

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What if you have a boring job? Are there strengths and gifts in you? Yes!

1 Chronicles 9:18, “Up to now the security guard at the King’s Gate on the east. They also served as security guards at the camps of Levite families.” The Message

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“…the temple gatekeepers played very significant roles in a temple-centered society with crude locks and keys. In one role the gatekeepers functioned essentially as secret service agents, controlling the inner city security of Jerusalem.

…Some gatekeepers held substantial political power themselves. By guarding doorways a gatekeeper could play the role of the royal ‘chief of staff,’ controlling access to the king.

…Another gatekeeper, a certain Zechariah, is called a ‘wise counselor’ (1 Chronicles 26:14), which is a phrase the Chronicler reserves for royal advisors (1 Chronicles 27:32, 33).

…Kore, a gatekeeper of the East Gate, …’in charge of the freewill offerings given to God,’ a responsibility that included distributing allotments by divisions (2 Chronicles 31:14-16). Without bank vaults persons of great integrity were necessary to ensure the proper financial care of the temple and its personnel.” Chronological Study Bible Notes

The gatekeepers were more than bouncers. They were wise advisors, with political power, entrusted with the finances.

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Some duties required greater commitment and sacrifice. Would you accept a job that required 24-hours, 7 days a week duty?

1 Chronicles 9:33, “And then there were the musicians…They had permanent living quarters in the Temple; because they were on twenty-four-hour duty, they were exempt from all other duties.” The Message

Serving on the worship team looks glamorous but it’s not. We practice or play every day, 7 days a week. We are constantly learning and memorizing new songs. We can’t just run away for the weekend.

Some weeks we carry more responsibility than others. The weekend of Derek’s wedding one leader played percussion as she led. Another singer stepped up and led 2 songs. Some weeks, I play 2 keyboard parts and cover the bass part all at once.

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It doesn’t matter who you are or what your family’s reputation is. It doesn’t matter what your day job is. God put strengths and gifts in you to do more. You have great political power – all you have to do is cast a vote.

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