“‘All this’, David said, ‘I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and He enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.’” – 1 Chronicles 28:19
It isn’t easy to let go of something you’ve worked so hard on before it is completed. In a sense, it feels as though it is ours to witness bloom because the work we’ve done to bring something to life builds a sense of ownership we believe we deserve.
But I can’t even count the times I have had to hand weeks, months, and even years of my hard work and preparation over to another for the benefit of actually letting a dream come into fruition. A dream I believed was mine because the impression it had on my heart was so very heavy. However, reading through the story of David and Solomon revealed something so beautiful that I believe has the ability to bring peace over the heartache of letting things go.
Whether it be a job, project, or even a change in someone you love, there is a role God has given you to play, but do not mistake His offer to partner with Him as an offer to steal His seat of control.
In 1 Chronicles 28, we see the big dream David has to build a temple for the Lord. It is a good dream. It is a dream that would serve others and bring glory to God, but it was not a dream meant to be completed alone.
I have always heard that Solomon was the one who built the temple. But as I read through this passage, God did not place this burden on David’s heart just to be rejected. David had a huge role to play in not only the material preparation of the building of the temple, but also in preparing the hearts of Solomon and the community.
Leading with a love and humility for the Lord, David accepted God’s assignment for him. One many of us, especially myself, struggle with. He accepted the task of preparing the way. The way that would lead his son to be able to complete the temple with an abundance of supplies and support.
Starting in verse 9, we see David teaching his son about the One who all of this work was for. About the One he could find peace in while taking a step back and letting someone else complete his dream.
It reads, “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” (v. 9-10)
Solomon had a big task ahead of him. But the obedience and surrender of his father, David, and his community prepared a strong foundation.
Preceding the death of David, he gathered the officials together, explained the plans God had revealed to him and then asked, “Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?” To which they all responded with giving. Chapter 29:9 reported, “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
In a world that measures personal value by success, this concept of surrendering your portion of hard work to another, that they would then be recognized for completing, is not that popular. But in this story, David knew that his life had a purpose to serve beyond himself. Even if it meant the result of his labor wouldn’t bloom until after his death.
This humble, surrendered heart and mind is the kind we ought to have as we recall everything we do and are a part of is because the Lord has given us the chance to steward a portion of His plan.
It is not ours to take or mold how we wish. But rather, to allow God to use the skills, passions, and characteristics He blessed us uniquely with, to let our work point back to Him. Yes, every job, class, task, duty to another, and breath were given to us from the Lord for the sake of blessing others and pointing back to Him.
In David’s submission to the will of God, despite his dream of building the temple, his life was recorded ending with these words:
“He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, health and honor.”
Now we may not all see the material abundance that David got to live in. But in our humility, we will enjoy the riches of sweet relationships, love with others, peace in Grace received and given, and hope in the God who stands with us in every part of the journey.
My dear friend, David’s preparation cost a lot. You can read about the abundant materials he gave and the work he did to influence and lead a God-fearing community in latter part of 1 Chronicles. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the most difficult thing he gave up was accepting his role in this story. Surely, he saw God move in incredible ways all his life. But I am sure it was still difficult to give up something his heart longed for so deeply. But take heart lover of Christ, for there is a purpose in His plan, and we can be sure it is always good. So let go of your tight grip, it was never just yours to keep anyways.
Thoughts To Consider:
What would change if you measured faithfulness by obedience rather than by what you get to see accomplished?
What would it look like to view your work as stewardship rather than ownership?
Can you trust God with the parts of your story that He has asked you to leave unfinished?
Consider the work you are releasing isn’t being taken from you; perhaps it is being placed exactly where God intended it to be.
“‘All this’, David said, ‘I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and He enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.’” – 1 Chronicles 28:19
Leave a Reply