Daily Devotional

This exhortation comes in a passage when David is charging his son Solomon with instruction on building the temple. Knowing that God had ordained Solomon to build the temple, like a good father David had gathered together everything he knew Solomon might need in order to carry that out; the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and precious stones. He even gave him gold and silver out of his own personal treasure. But David's first words in this charge to Solomon was from a spiritual storehouse of treasures. Listen to these words he spoke to his son:

"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."

When our children were born I remember how Gary and I had every desire to raise them well so that they would love the Lord and to have what they needed in order to do what He wanted them to do. Even now, that is our heart's desire for them and our grandchildren. Like David we hoped that we had done everything that was needed for them to love the Lord with all their hearts and  serve Him. I sometimes wish we could live our lives for our children; experience is a great teacher. But, even though we are always available, as our children grow there is a point we open our hands and say, "Be careful now for the LORD has chosen you…"  

As the Lord's children, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and when we choose Him we are chosen by Him. He has a plan for us. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

"Be careful now for the LORD has chosen you…Be strong and do it!"

"English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers."