"Go and tell my servant David, 'thus says the Lord: It is not
you who will build me a house to dwell in...When your days are fulfilled to
walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your
own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for
me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son. I will not take away my steadfast love from
him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house
and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.'"
1 Chronicles 17:4, 11-14
That's quite a calling to have
on your life. To build a dwelling place for the Lord. Even after
direction and the gathering of materials I can't imagine how overwhelming it
would have felt to take that first step. Where to begin? How to
begin?
"'And you, Solomon my son,
know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing
mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.
If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will
cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to
build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.'" 1Chronicles
28:9-10
"Then David said to
Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid
and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He
will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the
house of the Lord is finished. And behold the divisions of the priests
and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all
the work will be every willing man who has skill for any kind of service; also
the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.'" 1
Chronicles 28:20-21
I think that sometimes the
calling on our lives can feel like that. Completely overwhelming and
beyond our own abilities, and it's pretty clear in my own life that they are
beyond my abilities! It has been such a sweet reminder to study 1 Chronicles
and see the call on Solomon's life and God's awesome provision throughout the
entire process.
David first reminds Solomon to
serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind,
and that if we seek the Lord He will be found. This is such a clear reminder
to fix our eyes to God and not to the overwhelming journey set before us.
It's when we focus on Him that we start to see one step at a time
revealed and can fully lean into His provision.
As David's advice goes on I
can't help but think of the Nike slogan, "Just do it!" I think
it was very clear to David how big of a task was set before his son and how
wearying it could be. But I can almost hear him saying desperately, but
firmly, "Just do it, Solomon! Follow God's call for you. Don't
settle for less. Just do it. Step out in faith, and step in to what
God is calling you to."
So much of the time I can get
caught up in the "game plan". I need to have it all figured out
and know exactly what steps to take before I can jump in. Sometimes I think
God just wants us to get up and GO. Just move for Him and He will illuminate
one step at a time. He is faithful and good. His Spirit is mighty.
He is here.
Solomon's calling was to build
a dwelling place for the Lord, while we are His dwelling place.
The Spirit of the Lord has taken up residence in our hearts and you
better believe He wants us to step out in faith and step into what the Father
is calling us to. The awesome thing is—His residence in our heart means
His power in our walk. So why in the world do I ever hesitate to step
into what He's calling me to?
The Lord is faithful and true.
He is powerful and He will accomplish His mission for our lives.
I'm expectant of an amazing year and I can't wait to see what His Spirit
does.
