Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 22-25
Devotional Thought:
God told David that he was not going to be allowed to build the temple because he had been a man of war and bloodshed. However, God was willing to let him participate in the process of gathering the materials and motivating the people for this important project. Maybe the most important thing that David did was to instruct his son in the things of God. David emphasizes the building of the “house unto the name of the Lord my God.” (vs. 7) The building was not to be a convenience for the people, a monument for the community, or an accomplishment for the motivated. David reminds Solomon that this building was to be a testimony to the name of God, Who He really is and What He is really like! Has it ever occurred to you that the condition of our church building reflects our opinion of God? Have you thought about the importance of using our building to teach people a right opinion of Who God is and what He is really like? I am concerned that in our self centered society that too many pastors have desired to build a reputation and testimony for themselves and therefore too many people conclude that is the motivation of all pastors and churches. I am also concerned that some people manifest the condition of their own heart when they conclude that the motivation of leaders is self-serving. When people conclude such things, it is often the revelation of what they would do if they were in leadership so they conclude that is the same motivation for their leaders. David’s motivation and his challenge to Solomon is that his motivation be the exaltation of the name of God. David further challenges Solomon to exercise wisdom and understanding in keeping the commandments of God. It will be little profit to build a building accurately reflecting Who God is and what He is really like, and not have policies and programs that do the same. God blesses those ministries that properly reflect the glory that is due His name, and they prosper in order for everyone to see the glory of God. “Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.” (vs. 12-13; 19) May we commit to living our individual lives in a way that allows people to come to a right conclusion about Who God is and what He is really like. May we commit to living according to all that God has commanded for His glory and His name’s sake.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to deny selfish ambition in order to exalt the name of my great God. Please help me to be motivated most by what pleases you and accurately reflects your character.
• Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve you in any capacity. Whether it is behind the scenes of preparation or implementation, please help me to be faithful to bring glory to your name.
• Lord, please help me to be personally, privately, and publically motivated by the holy and matchless name of my Savior!