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1 Chronicles Chapter 29 (ESV)
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”
REFLECTION:
- David contrasted eternal unchanging nature of God versus the flying away life of human. Nothing can last forever except God’s unchanging character. The things that we are most proud of will be vanished before God one day. What else we could rely on? Only a loving relationship with God has eternal value. His love never ends. No one can take away His love for us. Reflect “Our days on the earth are like a shadow …” (15). How will I use my time? How will I walk my life journey in order to have eternal value?
- The meaning of “a whole heart” (19) is to be wholly holy to the Lord. This is David’s hope for Solomon – desire to serve God more than anything else. Do you feel that you lack a desire for God? Difficult to obey God and follow His will? God can give you a heart of complete dedication. When you believe in Jesus Christ, this aspiration is already in your heart. Paul said, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13). Do I want to ask God for a whole heart so that I can serve Him faithfully and follow His commandments?
PRAYER:
Ask God to examine you and give you a good conscience and a sincere faith so that God will accept your service. Ask God to give you wisdom to manage your time well so that God can use your life effectively for eternal value.
