Context No. 2574 of 4322 · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 6:1-9: in context

1Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 2But I have built you a house and home, a place for you to dwell in forever.” 3The king turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood. 4He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying, 5‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there, and I chose no man to be prince over my people Israel; 6but now I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 7Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart; 9nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will come out of your body, he shall build the house for my name.’

At the dedication of the temple, Solomon recounts its history. It had been in his father David's heart to build a house for the LORD, and God's response to David is worth pausing on. You did well that it was in your heart, God had said, but you will not build the house; your son will. The desire was honored, even though the fulfillment was handed to someone else.

You did well that it was in your heart. David wanted to build the temple, planned for it, longed for it, and God told him plainly he would not be the one to do it. Yet God did not dismiss the desire; he commended it. The good intention counted, even without the completion, even though another would finish what David began. There is real grace in that for anyone who has poured their heart into something they will not personally see through. Not everyone is meant to complete the work they begin or desire. To have it in your heart, and to hand it faithfully to the one who will finish it, is itself pleasing to God.

Is there a good work I long to do that God has assigned someone else to finish, and can I hear him say the desire itself was well done?

Sources

2 Chronicles 6:8: Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
2 Chronicles 6:9: nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will come out of your body, he shall build the house for my name.
1 Corinthians 3:6: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.