Week of Monday, June 27 – Sunday, July 3
Passing the Torch - Man as Provider
For 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... “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. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.” -- 1 Chronicles 22:5-6, 12-13 ESV
As we approach Independence Day, I am reminded of the great sacrifices made by the courageous men who voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as the brave men fighting under the command of General George Washington in the Continental Army who secured independence. What they did then was not only for themselves. They had an eye on the future. On July 2, 1776, the same day that Virginian Richard Henry Lee proposed and the Second Continental Congress voted for independence, Gen. Washington issued these orders:
"The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army—Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect—We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country’s Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world—Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions."
Men, Independence Day reminds us that our reliance on God and our courage in this generation will have a major bearing on whether the torch of faith and freedom can be successfully passed to a new generation and then to “unborn Millions.”
The verses above about King David speak volumes to us about the heart of a man who was looking past his own life to the impact his actions could have for generations to come. Like the Founders with their “firm reliance on divine Providence,” David relied on the Lord to grant victory over Israel’s enemies and provide his people with freedom. But now, his thoughts turned toward honoring the Lord in a way that would touch the future: a Temple to the Lord. “The house,” David said, “that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent.” These words reveal his heartfelt desire for the God of Heaven to be glorified.
While God ultimately did not allow David to build the Temple during his lifetime, He did give David the plans. Then David not only provided the building materials but also prepared his son Solomon to complete the task after he succeeded David as king. Although Solomon enjoyed the fruits of David’s bravery on the battlefield and his generous provision of building materials for the Temple, he was entrusted with the hard work of constructing and the honor of consecrating the Temple as well as the solemn responsibility of leading the people to obey the Lord. David passed on this critical advice to his son: “Keep the law of the Lord your God…Be strong and courageous.”
Just like David did for Solomon, our forefathers have passed on the torch of faith and freedom to us as Americans. With it comes a solemn stewardship. As Providers, it is imperative for us to set an example for how to live a God-honoring life and a life that cherishes the liberty purchased for us by those who went before us. It is our turn to stand courageous and pass the torch to millions yet unborn so that they might enjoy the blessings of liberty!
Passing the Torch - Man as Provider
For 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... “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. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.” -- 1 Chronicles 22:5-6, 12-13 ESV
As we approach Independence Day, I am reminded of the great sacrifices made by the courageous men who voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as the brave men fighting under the command of General George Washington in the Continental Army who secured independence. What they did then was not only for themselves. They had an eye on the future. On July 2, 1776, the same day that Virginian Richard Henry Lee proposed and the Second Continental Congress voted for independence, Gen. Washington issued these orders:
"The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army—Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect—We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country’s Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world—Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions."
Men, Independence Day reminds us that our reliance on God and our courage in this generation will have a major bearing on whether the torch of faith and freedom can be successfully passed to a new generation and then to “unborn Millions.”
The verses above about King David speak volumes to us about the heart of a man who was looking past his own life to the impact his actions could have for generations to come. Like the Founders with their “firm reliance on divine Providence,” David relied on the Lord to grant victory over Israel’s enemies and provide his people with freedom. But now, his thoughts turned toward honoring the Lord in a way that would touch the future: a Temple to the Lord. “The house,” David said, “that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent.” These words reveal his heartfelt desire for the God of Heaven to be glorified.
While God ultimately did not allow David to build the Temple during his lifetime, He did give David the plans. Then David not only provided the building materials but also prepared his son Solomon to complete the task after he succeeded David as king. Although Solomon enjoyed the fruits of David’s bravery on the battlefield and his generous provision of building materials for the Temple, he was entrusted with the hard work of constructing and the honor of consecrating the Temple as well as the solemn responsibility of leading the people to obey the Lord. David passed on this critical advice to his son: “Keep the law of the Lord your God…Be strong and courageous.”
Just like David did for Solomon, our forefathers have passed on the torch of faith and freedom to us as Americans. With it comes a solemn stewardship. As Providers, it is imperative for us to set an example for how to live a God-honoring life and a life that cherishes the liberty purchased for us by those who went before us. It is our turn to stand courageous and pass the torch to millions yet unborn so that they might enjoy the blessings of liberty!
- As you assess your focus and priorities, how much attention are you giving to legacy? In other words, what are you doing to provide an example and an impact that will live on after you are gone?
- What steps can you take today to begin developing a generational strategy for passing the torch of faith and freedom to your children and grandchildren?
- Ask God to open doors of opportunity for providing an example and an impact that brings a lasting blessing to generations to follow.