God's way - always

Then David gave his son Solomon the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat.

…

“All this, in writing at the LORD’s direction, he made clear to me – the plan of the works.”    

                         1 Chron. 28.11, 19                                                                                                                   

God made it quite clear to David that he was not to build the temple: Thus says the LORD: You shall not build me a house to live in. (1 Chron. 17.4)

Notwithstanding this, David chose the site for the temple (1 Chron. 22.1); he prepared the tradesmen and the materials (22.2-5); he organised the priesthood (chs 23,24), the temple musicians (ch 25), the gatekeepers, treasurers, officers and judges (ch 26), the military divisions and other civic leaders (ch 27).

Now he gives Solomon a most detailed plan which includes not only the layout but specific details of furnishings.

He tells Solomon that all this is at the Lord’s direction. David was denied the actual building of the temple, but so much else was entrusted to him by God.

There is a big lesson here for me. Whether I sense God deny me certain action or appoint me for specific tasks, I need to be sure of what exactly God expects of me. David earlier illustrated this when he came up against the Philistines, for the action God gave him was different on two seemingly similar occasions.

It seems to me that the answer is to seek God’s way – and to keep seeking it!

Lord God,

My desire is unchanged. It is to walk with You and live in the fullness of Your will. Show me clearly the ways You would have me go, and keep me in those ways, in Jesus’ name I ask.             Amen.