First Things First

Youthwork International, Google Images

He did everything except build it himself. David's dream of building a temple for God would not become a reality in his lifetime, but that didn't stop him from doing everything in his power to prepare for it.

Despite what must have been a disappointment for him, David displayed a cheerful submission to the will of God. Perhaps knowing that his son would be the one to finish what he had started brought him consolation.

In his instructions at the end of 1 Chronicles 22, David says this to the leaders who would work alongside Solomon in this project: "Now devote your hearts and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build…" (22:19, NIV).

David's dream was building this temple. Sometimes we get so caught up with realizing our dreams that they end up replacing God in our lives. David's instructions to the leaders of Israel remind us of a truth that David learned, a truth than prevented him from allowing his dream to drive him to disobedience. He tells the leaders devote themselves to seeking the Lord and THEN to build.

David had the dream, and it was a noble one. What possible complaint could anyone, including God, have against someone who wanted to build a place of worship for God's people? But David was also a man who sought God and when the Lord told him to lay aside his dream, he obeyed.

The principle is this: First things first. Even the noblest of deeds can come to an ignoble end if we don't put seeking God before serving Him.

The Lord says that if we seek Him with a whole heart we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). And when we find Him, we'll know what His next step for us will be.