October 12, 2010
David is getting ready to turn his kingdom over to Solomon. He put the plans for the temple down in writing; plans that the Holy Spirit put in his mind. He gathered all the things needed. He did all he was supposed to do for God to get the glory in the temple that was to be built. Then David gathers Solomon and the people of Israel together. David tells them, "Be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD." David tells Solomon, "Serve God completely AND willingly. God knows what is in your mind. He understands everything you think. If you go to Him for help, you WILL find Him. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) BUT if you turn away from Him, He will leave you forever. Solomon—you need to get this!! The LORD has chosen you to do this. Now do it! Be strong and finish the job." (My paraphrase.) David continues, "Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD God is with you. He will not fail you or leave (forsake) you until all the work you are supposed to do is finished." The priests are ready, the workers are ready—now do it.
We are in the middle of "the storm." Did we need to be reminded of this or what? Thank you, God. We will be strong and brave. We will continue.
The temple wasn't for David, Solomon or the people, it was for the LORD. David and the people gave willingly to further the cause of God. We will willingly continue forward, with our heads in the mouth of the lion, to further the cause of Christ.
In front of all the gathered people David praised the LORD. "We praise you, LORD, God of our father Israel. We praise you forever and ever. LORD, you are great and powerful. You have glory, victory and honor. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. The kingdom belongs to you LORD; you are the ruler over everything. Riches and honor come from you. You rule everything. You have the power and strength to make anyone great and strong. Now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name."
Then David talks about who "they" were in the overall scheme of things. "These things did not really come from me and my people. Everything comes from you; we have given you back what you gave us... LORD we are like strangers... our time on earth is like a shadow... there is no hope. LORD, we've gathered all of this... but everything has come from you; everything belongs to you. I know that you test people's hearts. You are happy when people have integrity (NIV) and do what is right... we are happy to give to you. We have given with an honest heart. Make your people want to serve and obey you always. PRAISE THE LORD."
So, if everything belongs to the LORD, and we say that we believe that—then the only thing left—is for us to be willing. All God needs from us is to be willing. Willing to follow and obey His commands. Willing to be on whatever path He puts us on. Willing to give up everything. Willing to put it all on the line. Willing. Willing to do everything He asks us to do. Willing to give Him everything!! It is already His. We are just giving it back! Willing cannot be just words we say. It has to come from the heart.
I Chronicles 28:9 - "The LORD knows what is in everyone's mind. He understands everything you think." You can't do this thing called "Walking By Faith" part way ... you have to be all in.
I Chronicles 28:9 - "Serve him completely AND willingly."
I Chronicles 28:10 - "Be strong and finish the job."
I Chronicles 28:20 - "Don't be afraid or discouraged... he is with you. He will not leave you."
When we are willing—God WILL. God will do what He has said He will do. We will stand on those promises.
Next Entry: II Chronicles 1:1–17
David is getting ready to turn his kingdom over to Solomon. He put the plans for the temple down in writing; plans that the Holy Spirit put in his mind. He gathered all the things needed. He did all he was supposed to do for God to get the glory in the temple that was to be built. Then David gathers Solomon and the people of Israel together. David tells them, "Be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD." David tells Solomon, "Serve God completely AND willingly. God knows what is in your mind. He understands everything you think. If you go to Him for help, you WILL find Him. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) BUT if you turn away from Him, He will leave you forever. Solomon—you need to get this!! The LORD has chosen you to do this. Now do it! Be strong and finish the job." (My paraphrase.) David continues, "Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD God is with you. He will not fail you or leave (forsake) you until all the work you are supposed to do is finished." The priests are ready, the workers are ready—now do it.
We are in the middle of "the storm." Did we need to be reminded of this or what? Thank you, God. We will be strong and brave. We will continue.
The temple wasn't for David, Solomon or the people, it was for the LORD. David and the people gave willingly to further the cause of God. We will willingly continue forward, with our heads in the mouth of the lion, to further the cause of Christ.
In front of all the gathered people David praised the LORD. "We praise you, LORD, God of our father Israel. We praise you forever and ever. LORD, you are great and powerful. You have glory, victory and honor. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. The kingdom belongs to you LORD; you are the ruler over everything. Riches and honor come from you. You rule everything. You have the power and strength to make anyone great and strong. Now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name."
Then David talks about who "they" were in the overall scheme of things. "These things did not really come from me and my people. Everything comes from you; we have given you back what you gave us... LORD we are like strangers... our time on earth is like a shadow... there is no hope. LORD, we've gathered all of this... but everything has come from you; everything belongs to you. I know that you test people's hearts. You are happy when people have integrity (NIV) and do what is right... we are happy to give to you. We have given with an honest heart. Make your people want to serve and obey you always. PRAISE THE LORD."
So, if everything belongs to the LORD, and we say that we believe that—then the only thing left—is for us to be willing. All God needs from us is to be willing. Willing to follow and obey His commands. Willing to be on whatever path He puts us on. Willing to give up everything. Willing to put it all on the line. Willing. Willing to do everything He asks us to do. Willing to give Him everything!! It is already His. We are just giving it back! Willing cannot be just words we say. It has to come from the heart.
I Chronicles 28:9 - "The LORD knows what is in everyone's mind. He understands everything you think." You can't do this thing called "Walking By Faith" part way ... you have to be all in.
I Chronicles 28:9 - "Serve him completely AND willingly."
I Chronicles 28:10 - "Be strong and finish the job."
I Chronicles 28:20 - "Don't be afraid or discouraged... he is with you. He will not leave you."
When we are willing—God WILL. God will do what He has said He will do. We will stand on those promises.
Next Entry: II Chronicles 1:1–17
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