Day 82: 1 Chronicles 22:11–19

“The Lord your God is with you, isn’t He? And hasn’t He given you rest on every side? . . . Get started building the Lord God’s sanctuary” (vv. 18–19).

Historians generally agree that David lived somewhere between one to two years after Solomon assumed his reign. God allowed David the strength to prepare the new king for public coronation and for an effective beginning.

The first order of business for the new king was the building of a house for the “Name of the Lord” (1 Chron. 22:7). Before he died, the old king gathered the materials and drafted the plans for the work.

The Book of 1 Chronicles records the vivid account of the extensive preparations David made before his death (1 Chron. 22:5). Then David shared with Solomon all that had been gathered for the building of the sanctuary and all who had been commissioned to help. I find his words so pertinent and applicable to us today: “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you” (v. 16). In other words, “I’ve set aside everything you will need. You have all the materials and all the support your task will require. Now get started.”

When I was a little girl, I often remember my mother giving her children various instructions that were often received with moans, complaints, and questions. She’d finally say, “I’ve already told you. Now, get busy.” Her words, like David’s, were wise and practical. God provides what we need. Now we, like Solomon, need to get busy.

God promised His plans are to prosper us, to give us hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). The Word of God and Christ’s indwelling Spirit equip us to fulfill the works preordained for us in God’s perfect plan. As my mom would say, “Get busy!”

Some of the most important words ever formed on David’s tongue appear in 1 Chronicles 22:19: “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” The Hebrew word for devote is nathan. It means “to give, place, add, send forth. Nathan indicates fastening something in place.”23 I especially love the idea this wonderful definition expresses in the word “fastening.” David told Solomon and the leaders of Israel to fasten their hearts to seeking the Lord.

David’s choice of words challenges us too—to fasten our hearts to Him and get busy!