1
Chronicles 22
In
1 Chronicles 22 King David makes preparations for the building of the temple in
Jerusalem. God has told him that he
would not be the one to build the temple because he has been a warrior and shed
a great deal of blood. But God also
promised that David would have a son, Solomon, who would be the one to build
the temple. David said, “…the house to be built for the LORD should
be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations”
(v. 5). David understood that the temple
would be a place for all nations. Even
before it was built the nations are in the mind of God. It was always God’s purpose that all peoples
would come and worship him, not just the Jews.
And whatever was to be built for Jehovah’s name should be of great
magnificence and fame and splendor because it speaks for the character and
deeds of God.
Then
in verses 11-13 David advises his son. “May the LORD be with you…May the LORD give
you discretion and understanding…so that you may keep the law of the LORD your
God.” The task of building a house
for Jehovah is too great for a man to do in his own strength. He needs the Lord to be with him. He needs wisdom and knowledge that comes from
God. He needs to walk with God, keeping
his commandments, in order to do the kind of work that will bring glory to
God. David prays for Solomon that God
would grant his son these things.
In
verse 18 David speaks to the leaders of Israel who would outlive him; the men
who would work for Solomon as he built the temple. David encourages them. He assures them that God will keep his
word. He points out to them that he has
been faithful to Israel. “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every
side? For he has handed the inhabitants
of the land over to me, and the land is subject to the LORD and to his people.” David wants them to know for certain that
they are not alone. They are not
attempting this great work in their own strength. God is with them!
Finally,
verse 19. What is needful to do the
work? “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.” If the work is to be done in a way that it
will speak of the fame and splendor of Jehovah God, then those who do the work
must be devoted heart and soul to seeking his face!
Last
week our second son, Caleb, was engaged to be married. He is about to launch into building a new
relationship and a new family. The
leaders of New Hope are working to build a congregation of faith here in
Shafter. I am working to build up the
people of New Hope in their faith. What
are you building? Are you students
building a future? Are you young and
building a family? Are you a grandfather
building a legacy? Whatever it is that we are building, if it is to last it must be
built to speak of the magnificence, fame, and splendor of Jehovah our God! Whatever
we are building, it can only be built to the glory of God if we are devoted
heart and soul to seeking the face of
God. This cannot be a Sunday activity. It is a daily, hourly, minute by minute
lifestyle. Before the face of God. Coram
Deo.
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