19 ‘All this,’ David said, ‘I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.’ 1 Chronicles 28
ARE WE WILLING TO HELP BUILD THE CHURCH THAT’S COMING, EVEN IF WE’RE NOT CENTRE STAGE?
David wanted to build a resting place for the Ark of God, but he wasn’t permitted because of the blood he’d shed while defending God’s people from their enemies. God gave that privilege to his son, THE NEXT GENERATION would build the Temple of the Lord, but David gave ‘heart and soul’ to help Solomon in the work. It may well be that some who are centre stage at the present time will not be permitted to raise up the new model of Church on Earth, but we can greatly help the next generation to accomplish it!
The old saying, ‘he/she who gets vision gets job’, wasn’t true in this crucial moment. David got the plan for the Temple from the Lord but he had to hand it over to the new king and explain everything to him and the elders. He gathered all the resources that would be needed for this great project. Sometimes the preparations can be overwhelming on a large project, but David did this so that the project wouldn’t be delayed. (Proper Preparation and Planning Prevents Poor Performance!)
3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. NOW, WHO IS WILLING TO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD TODAY?’ 1 Chronicles 29
David didn’t just give the resources of the kingdom of Israel for the work ahead, he gave from his own personal wealth to see the Temple and the worship of God established in the land of Israel. He made great personal sacrifice to ensure the House of God would be built, even though he’d never see it.
20 David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.’ 1 Chronicles 28
Major projects require large teams of people to bring to a successful conclusion . David didn’t just donate physical resources to the project, he gathered the teams together who would be necessary to have the Temple completed and operational. David was fully committed to helping build what God required among His people. We need to be just as committed to what God is doing across all the nations at the present time, even if we don’t receive the glory here on earth. How many people today, including those in leadership, will be willing to sacrifice for the establishing of the Lord’s Church, rather than personal honour? We live in incredible times and great things may be asked of people to see God’s plans brought to fulfilment and His worship established again.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.