Everlasting Temples

SCRIPTURE

1 Chronicles 28:1-10 (NRSV)
Solomon will build the temple

David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of the thousands, the commanders of the hundreds, the stewards of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty warriors, and all the warriors. Then King David rose to his feet and said: "Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had planned to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool of our God; and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for my name, for you are a warrior and have shed blood.' Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my ancestral house to be king over Israel forever; for he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father's house, and among my father's sons he took delight in making me king over all Israel. And of all my sons, for the Lord has given me many, he has chosen my son Solomon to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me, 'It is your son Solomon who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him. I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues resolute in keeping my commandments and my ordinances, as he is today.' Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and search out all the commandments of the Lord your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

"And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever. Take heed now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary; be strong, and act."



DEVOTION

During this CHRISTmas holiday season, my children have brought me such great joy! I have enjoyed spending time with them, listening to their laughter, participating in their joy, and eating good food around the family table.

As I look at them, I realize that they will undoubtedly be my best and most lasting legacy on this earth. What I sow into them will last well beyond my years, as they will pass lessons learned at Mama’s knee to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into perpetuity.

King David must have had a similar realization when he gathered together all of the leaders and warriors of Israel telling them, “Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and search out all the commandments of the Lord your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

When I think about what I will leave as an inheritance for my children, my greatest concern is my spiritual legacy. I know that 401(k)s and trust funds are nice, but JESUS is better!

I really resonate with David’s words to Solomon when he said, “And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever.”

I really want my children to faithfully seek the Lord all the days of their lives! This desire is what prompts me to pray with them every morning, to sing gospel music throughout the day, and to read scripture and pray at night. By bathing them in the things of God now, I trust that they will have all that they need to be in relationship with God—for themselves—in the future.

I thank God that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. This is the greatest gift of all time and I am honored that I get to share this gift with my children--and they with theirs--until Jesus returns in glory!


Let us pray:

Magnificent One, thank you for the good news legacy that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. Please help me to impart this truth unto my children every day of my life. Please allow my children to be everlasting temples for your Holy Spirit. Please allow my legacy to them to be one of worship in spirit and in truth and may the lessons they learn from me be passed down in our family forever and ever, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html