“Christ possessed by faith here is young heaven and glory in the bud” (Samuel Rutherford).
We need to linger longer to watch the mighty procession flowing like a human river up to Jerusalem. This delightful section (1 Chron 15:16-25) is bracketed first and last with joy (vv 16, 25). There were “the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals” (v 16), “David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands” (v 25), the Levites all in white, and the priests with their silver trumpets gleaming in the sunlight (vv 17, 24)—they all were helping one another. Look at verse 16. “David spoke to the leaders.” They were “to appoint their brethren to be the singers.” And the singers were “accompanied by instruments of music.” They were directed by “Chenaniah, leader of the Levites,…instructor in charge of the music” (v 22). Best of all, the Lord was in the parade! “God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (v 26). Of course, the Lord expects us to do our part, whatever that may be. But, as in the early church, in all their service for Him they had “the Lord working with them” (Mk 16:20). We are also on a celebratory march. Whether lifting up our voices in praise, or holding up Christ the Ark, or offering up sacrifices to God (1 Chron 15:26), what joy in anticipation of the destination! Jennie Wilson wrote: “Home to Zion we are bound, Happy in the love of Jesus, Peace abiding we have found, Happy in the love of Jesus. We will sing salvation’s song, Happy in the love of Jesus, All our earthly way along, Happy in the love of Jesus. Soon we’ll reach that homeland fair, Happy in the love of Jesus, And shall dwell forever there, Happy in the love of Jesus.” The world has nothing but funeral dirges to lament. But we have every reason to praise Him every day in every way.