God’s offer of blessing to Solomon was conditional. God said, “If you walk before Me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe My decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne.” God also placed this condition upon the people.

Jesus said, “If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.”

If is a powerful word, and places emphasis upon our free will. We are not robots.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 7,8

David had it in his heart to build a temple, a dwelling place for the Lord in Jerusalem. It consumed him, but was not to be. God gave that job to his son, Solomon. When we think of both men, father and son, we hold David in higher regard because he maintained a life of integrity and a heart of devotion to the Lord for all his days. Not so with Solomon, yet he was the one God commissioned to build the temple.

It is vain to wonder why God uses somebody else to do what we think we should be doing. The main thing is to stay faithful to God on a daily basis, do all we can with every opportunity to we get to further His Kingdom, and stay close to Him in obedient prayer, relying on Christ within us to do great things.

David didn’t get to build a physical temple. He SURELY built a spiritual temple for God in his heart and daily life.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 6

When Solomon built the temple, he appointed priests who ministered to the Lord in music. They “raised their voices,” accompanied by brass and percussion instruments. God was so pleased that His Glory filled the temple like a cloud so thick they couldn’t continue.

WOW!

That same God is listening to us every time we meet for church. We should likewise raise our voices with our hands and bless the Lord. Our goal … to offer praise that pleases Him.

We make praise … He makes clouds.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 4,5

Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule Israel effectively. God was so pleased with his request that He gave him all he could ever ask for. Supernatural blessing came upon this young king who asked wisely. He showed no motive for personal gain in his prayer. He put others first.

This should be a model for our prayers … putting the well-being of others ahead of ourselves.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  Phil. 2:3,4

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 1-3

Noteworthy is David’s consecration to the Lord’s work when he essentially willed all his wealth to God’s house. He challenged Israel’s leaders to do the same, and they did. David led by example and according to God’s law. He loved God’s Law and God’s House. He gave the Lord the very best he could afford. It was a matter of personal integrity for him.

Throwing no rocks at contemporary Christians, I was raised in a time when we tried to give our best to God as we dressed for church. It was for God, and not to just look good. Nowadays, you feel entirely out of place if you even have a tie on to go to church. Just sayin’.

Men look on the outward, but God looks into the heart. Our heart motive was simply to give God our best.

I wonder how King David would dress if he came to church some Sunday.

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 28

In Deal’s Gap, North Carolina, there’s an 11 mile patch of road in the mountains called “The Tail of the Dragon.” Motorcyclists and sports cars from all over the world come to navigate its 318 curves. Although its a challenge, and the driver must be on his toes the entire time, it can be negotiated successfully.  One unhealthy swerve, however, can result in disaster for the rider.

God told David that if his son, Solomon, would serve Him with unswerving devotion, his kingdom would be established forever. We all know Solomon failed at this goal. There was another great King, born under quite contrasting conditions … in a manger … Who DID exemplify an unswerving ability to live His life here on earth, and HIS KINGDOM is established FOREVER AND EVER.

Life may seem like it has too many curves, but with the help of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus, we can keep on the road and ultimately arrive at our destination: HEAVEN.

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 27,28

Bible books such as Chronicles and Numbers include lots of names. Names ARE important. God records and remembers names as evidenced by genealogical lists in scripture.

This speaks to us of the significance and importance of every person. God knows them, He knows their name, and is concerned about their eternal destiny. We should be too. Just ask any mother about her children … she knows their names and is vitally concerned about their well-being.

Christian should pay close attention to the names of their acquaintances. Attention paid to a name indicates a caring concern for the individual. WHO doesn’t want to have other people concerned about their welfare???

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 24-26

David assigned the Levites to assume priestly duties in the House of the Lord. Their assignments were specific and covered every portion of the process of daily ministry unto the Lord. David said, “God is great, and greatly to be praised.” So, he did all he thought humanly possible to make God’s name great.

Although we don’t have tribal divisions among Christians … “there is neither jew nor greek” … we also assume the responsibility to make God great in all that we do. Our lives are a continual sacrifice of praise to God. We may not wear priestly garments like the Levites did, but we are clothed in the righteousness of God through the blood of Jesus. The priesthood is now performed by all the saints who have been redeemed by Christ’s death.

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 22,23

The scriptures say Satan inspired David to number the fighting men of Israel. Even Joab, the commander of the army, knew it was a bad plan. David insisted upon it, so Joab proceeded. When it was done, God sent the seer Gad to David to express God’s displeasure. David was dealt a stiff penalty for his sin.

Why did this displease the Lord so? Was David’s sin that he wanted to know exactly how strong his army was? Was it to test the compliance and obedience of the army commanders? Nevertheless, we know the strength of David’s army was not in their size. They were victorious because the Lord was with them. Any gesture drawing attention to their physical prowess potentially robbed God of His credit for their success.

By many or by few, the Lord can overcome any foe. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. They are mighty THROUGH GOD!

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 20,21

Clear and unmistakable prophesies contained in the Old Testament predicting New Testament events give the Bible credence. For instance, God simultaneously speaks of David’s sons and their favor and success but also reveals Christ and His Kingdom.

“I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him … I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.”  1 Chron. 17:11-14

Is that not Jesus?

READ/HEAR: 1 Chron. 17,18