1 Chronicles 28:9
New International Version (NIV)
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.”
For Meditation
The wisdom of the Akans of Ghana resonates even in our modern world: “If you hear someone advising their child, it may benefit you to advise yourself by it.” This saying holds true, particularly when it comes to godly counsel. It’s a beacon of wisdom for those of us who have grown up in broken homes, lacking a father figure to guide us.
The absence of good parental counsel could be the result of various circumstances – divorce, death, alcoholism and drug abuse, sheer neglect, unbelieving parents, and many others – but the result is the same. It takes God’s grace, which one may not recognize then, to be around friends and relatives whom God has blessed with His righteous counsel from their parents. Those who have made the most of such opportunities have become well-grounded and successful despite the apparent lack in their homes. Consequently, I take the charge David gave Solomon very seriously and commend it to every child of God, especially the young ones.
In the twilight of his life, King David passed the baton to his young son, Solomon, who had ascended to the throne of Israel. Solomon, still green and in need of guidance, was entrusted with a monumental task. After recounting the history of the temple project to the assembled officials of Israel, David turned to Solomon and bestowed upon him a charge that would shape his life (1 Chron. 28:9-10).
Two takeaways from David to his son Solomon:
First, we must acknowledge God for who He is – our heavenly Father. Second, as children of God, we must serve Him with wholehearted devotion and willing minds, always remembering that God searches the heart and perceives its desires and motives. If we seek him, He will reveal His heart to us (1 Chronicles 28:9-10).
So, I hear David charging us today to remember who we are in Christ (1 Pt. 2:9) and to take a solid and courageous stand in Him, building a strong life and character that will stand against the storms of this dying world.
It’s a noble charge that we must accept and take seriously, and I encourage you to join me on this journey to glory.
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky. – John Wesley (1762)
Shalom
Through the Eyes of the Spirit 