“Then David said, ‘Here shall be the house of the Lord God…’ David… set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze.., and cedar timbers… David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.’
“Then he called Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord. David said, ‘My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood… Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest… He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.”
“‘Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God. May the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep [his] law… Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. I have provided… gold, silver, bronze, iron… timber, stone. To these you must add. You have stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!
“‘Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary… for the name of the Lord.’” 1 Chronicles 22:1-16,19
David was a man of many talents, and burning holy desire. The Lord had honed and implemented his skills for the good of Israel, and near the end of his reign, led him to prepare his son Solomon to carry on His kingdom work. David’s priorities as a parent, in this case, are admirable: he pointed Solomon first to the Lord, encouraged his fidelity to God’s word, then supplied much- but not all- of what he would need. He knew that being given everything could emasculate Solomon and steal his opportunity to develop as a leader, to grow in faith and dependence on God, to work hard at his distinct assignment.
When desires are held out to the Lord, He will direct our paths forward with them. David could have bemoaned God’s “not you”, yet he willingly accepted it and proceed accordingly. ‘If that’s not what You want, then lead me to what you do want.’ Shouldn’t this be our submitted position with every passion, no matter how ‘right’ it is? (Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:1-3)
How indicative is our behavior of the fact that our relationship with the Lord is completely integrated with our work? With those for whom we are responsible, do we balance spiritual instruction with practical advice, godly wisdom with material supplies? Are we committed to teaching and emulating the intertwining of truth and talent, heart and hand, that our lives are from God and to be lived for Him? (Isaiah 49:3; Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:16)
Father, order my efforts to reflect Your pattern, so the instruction and legacy I leave reflects Your priorities and supremacy.
As the rain and snow 