Life can get away from us. We always seem to long for the next thing in life. Junior high students want to be in high school; high schoolers want to be in college; college students want to be in their career. If we are not careful, we wish our lives away. God has a better plan. He is looking for us to pour into the future of others right now. David caught God’s vision for the future in his son Solomon.
“And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel.” (1 Chronicles 22:5-6)
God gave David the blueprint for the Temple that was beyond human imagination. David took personal responsibility to do all he could to make his son Solomon’s challenge possible. After some horrible decisions in life, David’s final choice on this day is selfless. David had a vision for what the future of his son and grandchildren could be. To fulfill that dream, David will empty himself for the generations to come. This is what he did:
1- David prepared for Solomon. “I will therefore now make preparation for it.” (1 Chronicles 22:6)
David reached the age of retirement. He could have coasted and enjoyed his final years. When fishing, poolside reading, and travel called his name, David chose fundraising and high-level meetings. He secured the best supplies and depleted his retirement nest egg. He committed himself to the tireless work of providing the needed resources for Solomon.
2- David mentored Solomon. “he.. charged him” (1 Chronicles 22:6)
Tough love is necessary, and true love requires time. Everyone needs guidance from someone that has already walked their path. David provided this with renewed passion. This was his highest priority.
3- David prayed for Solomon. “give…my son a perfect heart” (1 Chronicles 29:19)
David understood that he would find his most significant influence in the quiet moments of petitioning the eternal God. Prayer surpasses any other attempt to mold the future and character of those we love. We must learn to embrace the secret place of intercession.
“Nothing that David did in his final years would benefit himself.”
Influence in the next generation is costly and selfless. David would never worship in the splendor of Solomon’s Temple, but that was okay with him. Nothing that David did in his final years would benefit himself. He recognized that the “secret” of kingdom living was exhausting himself for the sake of others. His focus was the next generation; the ones he would never meet.
Once we discover this same secret, our influence will explode, and our love will be like that of our Heavenly Father.
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