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1 Chronicles Chapter 28 (ESV)
9 “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. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” …
20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 And behold the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”
REFLECTION:
- God searches all hearts and nothing can be hidden from Him. He understands our plans and knows our thoughts. God taught David a serious lesson by sending Nathan to expose David’s crime in adultery and murder (cf. 2 Sam 12). David told Solomon to be totally honest and loyal to God. It is foolish to hide our heart and mind from the omniscience God. On the other hand, we should be joyful and not afraid because He still loves us even though He knows the worst about us. Reflect: what are you hiding from God today? We cannot hide from God even if we want to. If there are such things, let us repent to God with sadness and regret.
- David encouraged Solomon not to be scared of the tremendous task of being a king and building the temple. Fear will stop us from going forward. The scale of a task, danger and pressure will make us over-cautious. This text gives us a recipe for removing our fear and that is not to focus on it but to start working courageously because God is with us and will not forsake us. Reflect how we could accomplish the tasks assigned by God today? Is your courage originated from your own ability and talent, or from the trust that God will not forsake you?
PRAYER:
Ask God to pity your weakness, forgive your rebelliousness, and declare you innocent from hidden faults. God will not forsake you. Ask God to give you a heart of power and love and self-control so that you will bear your mission courageously by focusing on God’s sovereignty, glory, and faithfulness.
HYMN:
Open Hands – youtu.be/AABE–YR1No?si=hDmX6DCXHJXM9Czz
