Jump Start # 3768
1 Chronicles 29:19 “and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.”
Our verse today is the conclusion of a two verse prayer of David. Changes were coming. A transition was on the horizon. David’s time was up. He knew the end was near. One project that he was never able to fulfill was the building of the temple. God would not allow David to do that. Instead, that task would fall to Solomon. The beginning of the chapter itemizes the inventory of gold, silver, brass and iron that David collected for the temple project. Skilled workers were brought in to complete this task. Everything was in order. David was handing the keys over to Solomon and it would be up to Solomon to build the temple. David made it easy for Solomon. Everything was in place. Everything was ready. And, although David never saw the temple, he did in his mind and in his heart.
There was one remaining thing that David could do for the building project of the Temple, and that is pray. Pray for Solomon who would build it. How many times David had prayed to God. Now, it was time for one more prayer. A prayer for David’s son. A prayer to complete what David had planned. Invite God into this work. Include God. Listen to God.
There are layers of lessons for us here.
First, what a great example to be praying for our children, and not just when they are little and at home. Keep praying for them. Solomon was grown. Solomon would soon be the next King of Israel. As our grown children are about their day, busy at work, raising their children, worshipping God, let us offer prayers for them. David’s prayer for his son included a perfect heart to keep God’s commandments and to build the temple. Praying that our children will keep the commandments of God, ought to be something that comes from our hearts and lips every day.
Many parents want their kids to excel in sports, get great GPAs, nail the scholarships, find high paying jobs. But, if we leave out the spiritual component, what value are these things? I pray that my children keep the commandments of God.
Second, David did all he could to make the temple project run smoothly for Solomon. David couldn’t build the temple, but he could gather the supplies and the workmen. He could get everything ready for Solomon. He could make it easy for Solomon. What a blessing that is. I think some would walk away in anger wanting nothing to do with any of this because God would not let him be the one who built it. Not David. And, right before us is a wonderful lesson.
We may lay the foundation for things that we never see completed. We can make things easier for those who follow us. Older preachers can certainly do this for younger preachers. There are things we old guys have learned that can certainly help others. It takes a willing spirit to learn from others. Classes taught about shepherding the people of God may result in some of those in that class becoming leaders in the kingdom. You may never live to see that, but you made the provisions. You made it possible.
Third, the work of God is greater and lasts longer than any of us. Those that dabble in restoration history understand this. We all stand upon the shoulders of others. Like spoken of David in Acts, we serve the purpose of God in our generation. We help those that we can. We preach and we teach. We raise our families. But in time, it will be our time to leave. The work will continue on. The kingdom will survive. Our part is just that, a part. David did what he could. Now it was time for Solomon to do what he could. The torch is passed from one generation to the next. We must prepare those who follow with the tools and development to carry on the work the best that they can.
Prayers and provisions—together, they make a difference for those who follow. Provisions without prayer, excludes the greatest help, the Lord. But, prayers without provisions, can leave the work overwhelming and difficult. But, combined, together, prayers and provisions can get the next generation a huge advantage.
Roger