In 1 Chronicles, we get a glimpse of David’s diligent and faithful character.

As alluded to in First Love Weekly #11 covering 2 Samuel 7, David had the idea of building a temple to house the ark of the covenant— to which God replied, “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you… He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever” (1 Chron. 17:11-12).

In 1 Chronicles 22, David shares the underlying reason why God chose Solomon over him for the honorable task. He recites God who said, “‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight’” (1 Chron. 22:8).

Though he was denied the request, it did not stop him from doing what he could to advance God’s purpose.

In fact, he stepped up to do everything in his power to set his son up for success.

How?

1. David took it upon himself to make all the necessary preparations for Solomon to build the temple.

Yes, everything from materials to the workers needed (1 Chron 22:14-16).

2. He encouraged his son, Solomon, to prepare him for the worthy task.

The underlined section is the same Word God spoke over Joshua (Josh. 1:9) when He installed him as the leader over Israel to take His people to the promised land.

Imagine hearing those words from your father or your parental figure. No matter how daunting the task— say, building a temple for God— you too would feel strengthened and fired up to go after it.

3. David even went the distance to align all the leaders of Israel.

He said to them:

Leveraging the power and the favor of God bestowed upon him as the king of Israel, David mobilized his leaders and followers to support the holy cause for the LORD.

All throughout his life, he made the most of the days God gave him and relentlessly prioritized the LORD’s matters and His righteousness over his (Matt. 6:33).

Reflecting on David’s diligent character and humble actions— throughout his early days as a neglected son yet a faithful shepherd to his rise as a joyful king and a loving dad— there is no question why God called David the man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).

My Encouragement for You

I once heard that “the good news of the gospel is not that we found our purposes in God but that we found God’s purpose for us.”

Like David, let us orient our hearts to seek His will and leverage the gifts God has given us to further His kingdom.

Especially in seasons when we aren’t sure of what God has in plan for us, I pray we’d look outward and work to love on, care for, and encourage those whom God has placed in our lives, with the same heart God had for Joshua and David had for Solomon.

I promise you, there’s not a day God has given us without a purpose to be fulfilled, fashioned uniquely for you, no matter how big or how small.

With love,
Jae

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:3-5)

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