1 Chronicles 28:8-21: a reflection

8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the LORD’s assembly, and in the audience 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. 9You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.” 11Then David gave to Solomon his son the plans for the porch of the temple, for its houses, for its treasuries, for its upper rooms, for its inner rooms, for the place of the mercy seat; 12and the plans of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the LORD’s house, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of God’s house, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; 13also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the LORD’s house, and for all the vessels of service in the LORD’s house— 14of gold by weight for the gold for all vessels of every kind of service, for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service; 15by weight also for the lamp stands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps; and for the lamp stands of silver, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lamp stand; 16and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; 17and the forks, the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl; 18and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the plans for the chariot, and the cherubim that spread out and cover the ark of the LORD’s covenant. 19“All this”, David said, “I have been made to understand in writing from the LORD’s hand, even all the works of this pattern.” 20David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished. 21Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man who has skill for any kind of service shall be with you in all kinds of work. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.”

David charges his son Solomon, who is to build the temple, with weighty words. Know the God of your father, he says, and serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts; if you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off. Then he adds, about the great work ahead: Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid, for the LORD my God is with you; he will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work is finished.

Notice the two things David presses on Solomon: seek God wholeheartedly, and take courage for the work, because God is with you. First, know and serve God with a whole heart, for God searches the heart and is found by those who seek him. And second, be strong for the work you are given, not from your own strength, but because God is with you and will not fail or forsake you until it is done. The wholehearted seeking and the courageous doing go together, both resting on who God is.

That charge speaks to us as we face the work God gives us. First, we are to seek God wholeheartedly, knowing that he searches the heart and is found by those who truly seek him. And second, we are to take courage for the work before us, not trusting our own strength, but resting on God's presence and his promise not to fail or forsake us until it is finished. Whatever work God has given you, seek him wholeheartedly, and be strong to do it, not because you are equal to it, but because God is with you. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the task; the God who set it before you will not fail you nor forsake you until it is finished. Seek him with a whole heart, and take courage for the work, resting on his faithful presence.

Lord, David charged Solomon to serve you with a whole heart and a willing mind, for you search all hearts and are found by those who seek you; and then to be strong and courageous for the work, unafraid, because you would be with him and not fail or forsake him until it was finished. Let that charge speak to me as I face the work you give. First, help me seek you wholeheartedly, knowing that you search the heart and are found by those who truly seek you. And second, help me take courage for the work before me, not trusting my own strength, but resting on your presence and your promise not to fail or forsake me until it is finished. Whatever work you have given me, help me seek you with a whole heart, and be strong to do it, not because I am equal to it, but because you are with me. Keep me from being afraid or dismayed before the task; you, who set it before me, will not fail me nor forsake me until it is finished. Help me seek you wholeheartedly and take courage for the work, resting on your faithful presence, Lord.