Showing the Way, Leading the Way
Today was a good day to run some errands and work outside. I was able to get in an early morning workout at the fitness center and then do some work outside. I got some flowers planted and worked getting the garage ready for a shipment of my books that I was expecting this afternoon. If finished some of my projects just in time for a truck to pull up and unload a pallet of seventeen boxes of “The Longest Campaign.” This is really a day I have been looking forward to and am excited to share my story over the next several months where I have the opportunity. Check out the YouTube promo video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpn36dSasjE
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple and its buildings, treasuries, upper rooms, inner rooms, and a room for the mercy seat. The plans contained everything he had in mind for the courts of the Lord’s house, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of God’s house, and the treasuries for what is dedicated.” 1 Chronicles 28:11,12 HCSB
I have observed many church building projects over the years. Some pastor’s have to finish what another started. Some have to pay for a previous leader’s vision that perhaps was overly ambitious. Not too many find themselves in the situation Solomon did as the anointed successor for his father David. David made sure Solomon had the plans, the finances and the help to get the job done. All that was left was the execution.
David’s vision for the Temple was not general or just a dream; he had put effort into the plans and the furnishings and all that the law required for the worship of the Lord. David realized that this was not the result of his own ability, but he was being directed by the Lord, “By the Lord’s hand on me, He enabled me to understand everything in writing, all the details of the plan.” (1 Chronicles 28:19 HCSB)                        Â
David knew that his successor could be counted on to take the project to completion. There have been too many times when available resources have been diverted for other purposes and suddenly the planned project is not able to be completed. David wanted Solomon to understand that he was chosen by God as King for this very purpose. If he accomplished nothing else, he needed to be successful in this endeavor. “Realize now that the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28:10 HCSB)
But David realized that Solomon needed help in accomplishing the task. At the end of 1 Chronicles we find detailed listings of those who served David. Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work… Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command.”        (1 Chronicles 28:20,21 HCSB)
The task of building the Temple would be lead by Solomon, but it was a project that all the people needed to “own.” Then King David said to all the assembly, “My son Solomon—God has chosen him alone—is young and inexperienced. The task is great because the temple will not be for man but for the Lord God.” (1 Chronicles 29:1 HCSB)
As David called the people to give all of the money and items that would be needed for the Temple, we see that he “lead the way.” “Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the house of my God over and above all that I’ve provided for the holy house…Now who will volunteer to consecrate himself to the Lord today?” (1 Chronicles 29:3-5 HCSB)
We then see the people follow David’s lead: “Then the leaders of the households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly…Then the people rejoiced because of their leaders’ willingness to give, for they had given to the Lord with a whole heart. King David also rejoiced greatly.“ (1 Chronicles 29:6,9 HCSB)
This is a great picture of being united for a cause and the result is rejoicing and the Lord being praised. I am reminded of Psalm 133, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!…For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3 NIV)
God-inspired visions characterize the kingdom of God. They are facilitated when leaders show the way and lead the way and people join with the commitment and dedication that brings glory to the Lord.