You can tell alot about someone by what they are thinking about at the end of the lives. David in the last two chapters of Chronicles shares his heart. The heart is a powerful thing. It has the power to win battles, overcome obstacles, and lead us to or away from God.
The writer is giving us “the last words of David” (1 Chron. 23:27) as well as the last works of David as he prepared Solomon and the people for the building of the temple. At the end of his life David was more concerned about the glory of God than his own glory. He wanted to build a tremendous building not for his legacy, but so that the Lord would be praised for generations to come. David not only “served his own generation” (Acts 13:36), which every child of God should do, but he also served generations to come. In other words he left a legacy. What kind of legacy are you leaving behind? David did what he could to provide the materials to build the temple; he helped to organize the temple ministry; and he wrote songs for the temple singers (many are recorded in the book of Psalms).
It is worth remembering that the desire of David's heart was to build the Temple. However, God did not allow him to do so. He could have been bitter or resentful, but he chose to help the next generation. When you are disappointed or don't get your desires how do you react? What does this say about your heart?
In verse 8 David reminds the people that need to follow the commands of the Lord. Having a beautiful building means nothing if we are in disobedience to God. This is a lesson that is still true today. While there are many magnificent buildings that have been built in the name of God, too many of them are nothing but museums today. Never forget we are called to be a hospital for the spiritually sick, not a museum for the saints.
We are called to be stewards of what God has blessed us with. If we do not take care of what God has blessed us with we will not leave anything (physical or spiritual) to our children and grandchildren.
In verse 9 David says that the most important thing that Solomon needed was a heart for God. He could have all the wealth, fame, and glory in this life, but if he did not have a heart for God he could not build the Temple. In your service to God know that the most important thing is your heart. Why do you serve? How do you serve? And who do you serve?
In verses 10 and then again in verse 20 David tells Solomon to be, "strong and of good courage." Solomon did fall into sin as he fell in love with foreign women and their idolatry crept into his life (1 Kings 11). What can you do to protect yourself from falling into sin today?
Has you read in the first 9 verses of Chapter 29 about the materials for the Temple, how much wealth does this constitute? Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-23, how does this relate?
David's last act as king was to pray and make sacrifices to the Lord. He blessed the Lord and showed his humility. Can you see the heart of David in this prayer? What should public prayers look like? What is the purpose of public prayers?
In this chapter David praises God because: God is great (10-12); God deserves glory (13); God has given so much to us (14); life is short and we must do what we can to make it count (15).
As you read this chapter why did the people and how did the people give? Now read 2 Corinthians 8-9 and see what Paul says about giving. Why should we give generously to the Lord and his work?
Ponder the words of 1 John 2:17 "He who does the will of God abides forever." These are words to live by and to die by.
I apologize that I put the wrong dates on here yesterday. Getting ready for VBS is a wonderful thing, but it is also tiresome.
June 24, 2013 1 Chron 26–27, Acts 2:1–13, Ps
77:6–11, Prov 15:28–30
June 25, 2013 1 Chron 28–29, Acts 2:14–47, Ps
77:12–20, Prov 15:31–33
June 26, 2013 2 Chron 1–3, Acts 3, Ps 78:title–4,
Prov 16:1–2
June 27, 2013 2 Chron 4–6, Acts 4:1–22, Ps
78:5–9, Prov 16:3–5
June 28, 2013 2 Chron 7–9, Acts 4:23–37, Ps
78:10–17, Prov 16:6–8
June 29, 2013 2 Chron 10–12, Acts 5:1–16, Ps
78:18–22, Prov 16:9–10
June 30, 2013 2 Chron 13–16, Acts 5:17–32, Ps
78:23–28, Prov 16:11–13
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