After God's Own Heart

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 28

Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed” (1 Chronicles 28.20)

Devotional Thought: God described David as a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13.14).  That was true in many ways - worship, reverence, courage among others.  But the greatest was probably David's enduring faith.  In spite of desertion and defeats, failures and faults, David did not give up on his faith in God.  At the end of his life, as he was preparing Solomon and the kingdom for his death and the resultant transfer of power, that enduring faith shone clearly.  It was something he wanted to pass on to his son, so in his "final words" he instructed him to keep his faith strong. 

David gave Solomon ample reasons to "Be strong and courageous."  He reminded him...

• God is with you.  He will not leave you or forsake  you (v. 20). David was a living testimony to God's faithfulness.  When Saul tried to take David's life, God preserved him.  When the Amalekites carried off his family, God enabled him to bring them back.  When David experienced moral failure, God sent him the prophet to confront him and God restored the repentant king.  When Absalom, his own son turned traitor, God delivered the kingdom back to him.

• With you in all the work will be every willing man (v. 21).  When a leader follows God courageously, he will engender faith and confidence in other skilled people, and they will assist him in the work of the Lord.

• The officers will be wholly at  your command (v. 21).  Keep a strong faith and sure moral compass, and the influencers will obey you.

• The people are with you (v. 21). Not only will the leaders follow and obey, but the population will rejoice that their leader is good and moral and full of faith.

Are  you a man or woman after God's own heart?

Prayer: Lord, I know that you are with me and will never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me to be a man after your own heart and remain faithful to you.  Help me to be strong and courageous as I move into the headwinds of cultural resistance.  May I be an inspiration to those around me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 48:1-8

1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,

2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.

6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah