Let the Lines be Pleasant

“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.’ So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.

“Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, ‘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 before me on the earth.  Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 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, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God… Arise and work! The Lord be with you!’” 1 Chronicles 22:5-12,16

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6

“David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep.” Acts 13:36

David was a man of many talents and lofty desires, yet the God who so fashioned him had explicit purposes for him during his years on earth. While he longed to build a magnificent temple for the Lord he loved and served, God said no, that’s for your son to do. There is much beauty in both his desire and his peace at God’s stay on his plan. He was content with the lines his Sovereign had drawn.

We may have many things we want to do, ambitions and dreams we hope come to fruition, and we can rejoice that God gives talents we enjoy and varied and pleasant desires. But we also have just one life, and the Lord has appointed us for such a time and place within allotted boundaries to fulfill our calling, a life no one else can live with intentions no one else can accomplish. (Esther 4:14, Job 23:10-14; Acts 9:4-6,15-16; 17:24-26)

Ofttimes doing God’s will within our boundaries means saying no to other good endeavors. Are we all in to set our face to the Jerusalem that is God’s specific plan for us? Are we willing to relinquish our own wants to the yes of loneliness, certain disciplines, training, or expenditure of time and resources, to heed His call? (Luke 9:51,53,57-62)

Would we choose joy in all God has chosen for us, because our greatest joy is in Him?

Father, keep me within Your heaven-drawn lines and finding them pleasant. May I glorify You by finishing the work You have for me on earth. (John 17:4)