Dedication to a Cause

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….Ā He made a solemn promise to the Lord.Ā He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,Ā ā€œI will not go home;Ā I will not let myself rest.Ā I will not let my eyes sleepĀ nor close my eyelids in slumberĀ until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,Ā a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.ā€ Psalm 132:2-5 NLT

As I read this psalm of ascent, my attention was drawn to the words that describe David’s focused dedication and commitment to bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and building a Temple to the Lord.

We see a lot of attention given to organizations being dedicated to a mission and having a “compelling” vision. One that unites and creates focus and establishes priorities. If there was a vision that drove David and his rule as King of Israel, it was building the Temple. It was not the winning of battles or the conquering of other kingdoms. Those actions took place, but David was not an ancient “General Patton” who needed war in order to find purpose and meaning.

His focus as a “man after God’s own heart” was to make sure that worship to God and the physical symbol of God’s presence was in the very center of the capital city of his kingdom.

David’s commitment was not just a desire in his heart or a “campaign” promise. It was a “solemn promise” to the Lord. It was a vow to the Almighty One. It was a consuming desire that provided meaning and focus for his life and one that would define his sense of accomplishment.

We can say this desire drove David. He ate, slept and dreamed the accomplishment of that goal. Or we can say, he didn’t eat, rest, sleep or dream until the goal was accomplished. Such was the description of the intensity of the of his commitment.

The first task was locating the ark of the covenant. If there was no ark, there would not be a need for a Temple. So we read,Ā “We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah;Ā then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.Ā Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne.” (Psalm 132:6,7 NLT)

We know two things about David’s pursuit of this vision. It wasn’t easy. He found the ark, but failed at his first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. But David persisted, he did not let “failure” discourage him from the ultimate goal. When he was successful on his second attempt is was a cause for great rejoicing.

Then we see that David was not allowed to see his vision to completion. The Lord told him that he would not be the one who would build a house for Him, but He (the Lord) would instead build a “house” for David in the form of an enduring dynasty.

David’s response was to do everything that he could in preparations for the building of the Temple. Plans, materials, instructions were all prepared. All that Solomon had to do when he became King was to execute the plan.

David’s vision drove him for most of the 40 years of his reign. The fulfillment of that vision was fulfilled by others.

The commitment, persistence, patience and all that we see in David working toward the fulfillment of his vision, is something that can speak to us and challenge us in our lives today.

Prayer for today…..Ā Lord, thank you for what we can observe and learn from David and his desire and commitment to a “vision.” What he did was not for human glory or goal, but it was to bring your glory to people. Help us to understand that “God honoring visions, are accomplished in God’s way and in God’s timing.”