Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 16:19-22 (New Living Translation)

19 He (God) said this when you were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan.
20 They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
21 Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf:
22 “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.”

This is part of a Song of Praise from King David. The song reminds the people how God protected them in their journey and wandering.

Note the last two phrases: God did not let anyone oppress the people. God told kings, “Do not touch.”

God protects some people. God speaks to unbelievers. Maybe God speaks to them in dreams, thoughts, or through advisors, but God speaks to unbelievers. “Don’t touch those people over there,” God told kings. Those kings obeyed God. Hmm, unbelieving kings obeying God. Odd how I, a devoted follower of God, have trouble obeying God sometimes. Yikes. I have to do better.

God protects some people. I have traveled far and wide—safely. I have never been harmed in traveling through kingdoms. I can attribute this safety to all sorts of logical reasons. I can also attribute safe travels to God as protection by God. God spoke to folks along the way, “Do not touch Dwayne.”

Maybe I am stretching this too far. Perhaps not. God speaks to people everywhere all the time. Thank you God.