The 28th chapter of 1 Chronicles illustrates David's final charge to his son Solomon on the precipice of building the Temple. Already the writer has been made clear in the book that David's life of war would lead to Solomon's life of peace. David who shed much blood would not be the one to build the temple. You could say through the shed blood of David, Solomon receives peace.
Now with preparations made, the words from David to Solomon are clear: there's a work to accomplish now and Solomon needs to commit!
First, David makes it plain for Solomon. Solomon must understand he's been chosen to do this very thing.
1 Chronicles 28:6 (ESV) He (God) said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
On the heels of that impressive reality, David bears down:
1 Chronicles 28:9–10 (ESV) “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
David tells Solomon three things to do. To know the God of his Father, to serve Him with a whole heart, and to seek Him. These are the predicates for the final charge: Be careful with your mission, be strong, and get it done.
Later in the passage, we see the assurance that God will provide for the project.
1 Chronicles 28:20–21 (ESV) Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 21 And behold the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”
In every work we put our hands to for the Lord His promises are of utmost importance. Where is our confidence? It is in Him: God's purpose in calling us, God's presence with us and God's provision for us. There's a fear that if we step into our calling that we may fail or not have what we need. But such thoughts are human and fleshly. God is able to make us abound and God will bring the right people in at the right time to get the job done.
Now consider this passage in our day. Our true David, Jesus, has provided through the shedding of blood peace for us who have been made God's sons and daughters by divine choice:
John 15:16 (ESV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
We have been chosen for a mission, to go into the world and build the true Temple of God - His Church.
1 Peter 2:5 (ESV) you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
As special as Solomon's work was to the ancient Israelites, our calling in Christ to go and build the Church is even more important. Solomon's temple is demolished, it's been gone for millennia. God's church still stands and is growing every day. Through the presence of God and the provision Jesus has made by His blood, we have certainty of success. So what is our directive? To know the Lord, to serve Him, and seek Him. In doing so we are ready to be strong and get the job done.
There's nothing better in life than to make an eternal difference in the lives of men and women whom God loves. When we serve and work together as the body of Christ, we partner with the Lord in changing the world.
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