Today’s reading II Chronicles 1-5:1

II Chronicles 2:1 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

Solomon wants to build a house for the name of the Lord and His kingdom! If you didn’t know the story about what has already happened this would still be a beautiful statement. Solomon wants to do something to the honor and glory of God and that is great.

But when I consider that God laid it on David’s heart to build that temple and it was in David’s heart the story gets even stronger. David wanted to build the temple. David worked his heart out getting things ready for the building of the temple.

Now Solomon has a dream to build the temple. Don’t forget that David is Solomon’s dad! Solomon has accepted the challenge. Solomon has a desire to do what God put in David’s heart. The dream has passed on.

What started in the heart of David is now in the heart of his son. Solomon will build the temple.

I think in terms of our ministries and realize how important it is to get the dream of doing something into our children’s hearts and even into others of the next generation.

We do not want to see God glorified and His kingdom extended only under our leadership and in our time. We want to pass on the dream.

Who are you investing in to get the dream to the next generation? Who are you influencing for the kingdom of God?

Today’s reading I Chronicles 27-29

I Chronicles 29:25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

The beautiful truth to learn today in this verse is that it was the Lord that magnified Solomon exceedingly. I fear that we seek to be magnified. We want to be recognized. We want to exceed all those that came before us and also all those that live in our generation.

We want to be somebody. Solomon got all of that but it was the Lord that did it! It was the Lord that chose to bless and honor him beyond all others.

I should learn to humble myself, not seek my kingdom or my glory but rather seek His. If He chooses to in some way honor me that should be His decision. It is not about me. It is not about my position but His.

I am afraid that too often we have things all out of order! What do you think?

Today’s reading I Chronicles 24-26

I Chronicles 29:19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

David prepared the work for the one that would follow him. It was his son but still many men will not let go of leadership. They will not prepare for others. They look and think only of themselves and their ministry. If something bad is going to happen their only concern is that it happen to the next generation.

David had prepared by great sacrificial giving. His goal was not his name or reputation but that the work of God would go forward. It was in his heart to build the temple that would be called Solomon’s temple.

Now he is praying that God will give the ones that follow him the wisdom to do the ministry well.

He asks God to give his son a perfect heart- not a divided heart. He wants God to make his son love God and only God.

He wants God to cause his son to love God’s Word and the things of God.

He wants Solomon to be successful in the ministry he is about to inherit.

David is setting him up to succeed.

How are we preparing the ministry for the future? How many are we preparing to do more? How are we trying to insure that the kingdom is extended and the ministry succeeds?

Today’s reading I Chronicles 20-23

I Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

David is giving big money to build the temple of God. He wants the temple built. It has become the motivating work of his life. His giving has now inspired others to give. He didn’t ask them to do what he wasn’t already doing.

They then give willingly out of a complete (perfect) heart towards God. They were giving from the heart with all their heart. Their giving with this attitude caused them great joy. They were happy and rejoicing. David was happy to see them give and happy to see them so happy!

When we give from the heart because we love God then we get joy and excitement in giving. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are helping the ministry of God go forward. We are building a church to reach our community, to bless others, and where we can worship. We are giving to get missionaries around the world. We are making a difference.

How is your attitude when it comes to giving? Do you want to give? Did you know that God loves a cheerful giver? He wants your offering because you love Him and His work.

When you get totally in line with Him and love Him then you will give in a way that brings Him great honor but also gives you great joy!

Today’s reading I Chronicles 17-19

I Chronicles 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

David loved God. He wanted desperately to do something great for God. He had wanted to build the temple but God would not allow him to do so. He had chosen to use someone else, his son!

That had to be discouraging but instead of getting bitter that God would not use him he got busy and prepared with all his might so that someone else could build what he dreamed of. He died to himself and gave himself 100% to building the kingdom of God.

I am afraid that many of us would get our feelings hurt and quit. I think that if we didn’t quit we would not be all in and surely not prepare with all of our might but David did!

David investigated what would be needed to get the job done. He then threw himself into the work wholeheartedly.

I just want to challenge us to consider how much we are given to the work even when we don’t get to play the position that we want. How much are we in? Are we only in when it benefits us or makes us look good?

I want to give all I can to get the work done whether I get what I want or the glory. How about you?