Week of Monday June 24 – 30
Strong & Courageous! – Man as Provider
“And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He 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. I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
“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. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” - 1 Chronicles 28:5-10 ESV
Final words of challenge from a godly father are to be treasured. Unfortunately, my WWII veteran father came to know Jesus so late in life that we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy years of conversation about the Lord and His Word. However, when Dad finally did come to know the Lord, he was a lion for God until he died. So, I came to treasure those conversations we had before he went on to be with the Lord. No doubt Solomon did the same.
As King David did all that was within his power to prepare and provide materials for the most important building the world had ever seen to this point in history, he recognized that much would depend on the willingness and decision of his son, Solomon to step into his role of leadership with courage and conviction. All the necessary resources cannot complete an important task alone. As David observed, follow-through is also required: “Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
As men of God, we must not only provide for the tangible needs of those in our care but also challenge our offspring in a way that inspires faith in and obedience to God. We must encourage them to “know the God of your father” and “serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind.” Also, we should remind them that God knows everything, that He “searches all hearts” and “understands every plan and thought.” Further, we should urge them to “seek Him” with the promise that “He will be found” by them. That’s the counsel David gave to his son.
But that is not all. David emphasized the seriousness of the task ahead: “Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary.” Then came the closing challenge: “Be strong and do it!” Those words echoed in the heart of Solomon as he began the incredible charge before him. Our children and grandchildren deserve and need the same firm yet loving spiritual motivation in their lives to compel them to strive to be the young men and women the God of the universe has created and gifted them to become. God has an important plan for each of their lives, and may we be the positive influence and motivation they need to help them “be strong and do it!”
- How are you speaking and challenging your children in their spiritual journey? Are you having some honest and heart-level conversations with them about their walk with God?
- What daily disciplines are you putting in place and modeling before them that will shape their lives toward faith in and obedience to God?
- Ask God to help you steer your children and grandchildren to the Lord, accept His calling on their lives, and then “be strong and do it.”
Strong & Courageous! – Man as Provider
“And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He 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. I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
“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. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” - 1 Chronicles 28:5-10 ESV
Final words of challenge from a godly father are to be treasured. Unfortunately, my WWII veteran father came to know Jesus so late in life that we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy years of conversation about the Lord and His Word. However, when Dad finally did come to know the Lord, he was a lion for God until he died. So, I came to treasure those conversations we had before he went on to be with the Lord. No doubt Solomon did the same.
As King David did all that was within his power to prepare and provide materials for the most important building the world had ever seen to this point in history, he recognized that much would depend on the willingness and decision of his son, Solomon to step into his role of leadership with courage and conviction. All the necessary resources cannot complete an important task alone. As David observed, follow-through is also required: “Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
As men of God, we must not only provide for the tangible needs of those in our care but also challenge our offspring in a way that inspires faith in and obedience to God. We must encourage them to “know the God of your father” and “serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind.” Also, we should remind them that God knows everything, that He “searches all hearts” and “understands every plan and thought.” Further, we should urge them to “seek Him” with the promise that “He will be found” by them. That’s the counsel David gave to his son.
But that is not all. David emphasized the seriousness of the task ahead: “Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary.” Then came the closing challenge: “Be strong and do it!” Those words echoed in the heart of Solomon as he began the incredible charge before him. Our children and grandchildren deserve and need the same firm yet loving spiritual motivation in their lives to compel them to strive to be the young men and women the God of the universe has created and gifted them to become. God has an important plan for each of their lives, and may we be the positive influence and motivation they need to help them “be strong and do it!”
- How are you speaking and challenging your children in their spiritual journey? Are you having some honest and heart-level conversations with them about their walk with God?
- What daily disciplines are you putting in place and modeling before them that will shape their lives toward faith in and obedience to God?
- Ask God to help you steer your children and grandchildren to the Lord, accept His calling on their lives, and then “be strong and do it.”