We are starting a new year. Do you have goals or expectations for the new year? As we begin this new year, let’s meditate on a Scripture each week.

No matter what our goals or expectations are, there is something that we need to put first.

In 1 Chronicles, the ark of the covenant had just been returned the people of Israel. There was much celebration. I wonder if in some ways they saw this as a new beginning. As they celebrated, David put God first. Look at what he did and said in 1 Chronicles 16, specifically verses 7-13:

^“7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
⁸ Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
⁹ Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
¹⁰ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
¹¹ Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
¹² Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
¹³ O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.”

There is so much to unpack here. I encourage you to read the chapter, but mediate on verses 7-13 and how they can affect us as the chronically ill, disabled, and isolated.

• What did David do first?
• What did he encourage the people to do?
• How can we do this in our lives, even in the midst of difficulty and isolation?

Let’s meditate on these verses this week, reading them once each day.