“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you…” ~ I Chronicles 28:9
REFERENCE:
As the sun began to set on David’s time as king of Israel, he began to put ‘his house’ in order. He called the leaders of Israel, officers of the tribes, military captains, personal staff, and the members of his cabinet and gave them a ‘farewell’ address. Uppermost in his heart was the building of the temple and the kingship of Israel. Having set a proper administrative succession plan, David turned his attention to his son and said, “As for you, my son Solomon…”
King David’s chief instruction to his heir apparent, his son Solomon, was “Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind.” This instruction topped David’s list of ‘to dos’ for the soon-to-be king. If he knew God by building intimacy with Him, he would find God and receive divine help to succeed as a king, govern the people, and build the temple.
Solomon heeded the advice, at least for a time. I Kings 10:1 records, “…the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord.” That is what made Solomon’s relationship with God made him known. His pursuit of God filled him with uncommon wisdom and gave him stupendous wealth and brilliant ideas for nation-building.
As we begin the year’s second half, I sense God saying, “My son Daniel, My daughter Teni, know God and serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind.” Let God be your pursuit; seek Him daily in prayer and study His word. Be sold out to Him in worship and live a life of obedience. Don’t be like a man running confidently in the dark; let God be your light as you navigate the day, weeks, and months ahead. He knows and sees the road clearer than you do.
When David gave this counsel to Solomon, David knew that every other thing Solomon would do rested on his intimacy with God. If he got that right, everything would be right, and vice versa. Do not be too much in a hurry for God; tarry before Him, seek His face and will, serve in His house, and bless His people. Let your bible be your companion, and listen more to the Holy Spirit. David said, “My son Solomon.” God tells you, “My son Luke, know Me.”
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Jeremiah 29:13, Daniel 11:32, and Psalm 25:15
PRAYER:
+ Lord, fill my heart with a new hunger and thirst for You as I go into the remainder of 2023.
+ As I seek You first, may everything I desire and seek after be added to me.
+ This year will end better than it started for me, in Jesus’ name.
