Alone in a hotel room 2 hours from my guys, I awake at 4am. Since my first Beth Moore study, when I wake up in the middle of the night like this, I try to listen. It always seems there is someone to pray about, a Scripture that I need to absorb (for myself or another), or something of the like.
These awake times have become a blessing.
I have been reading the Chronological reading plan through the You version Bible app for several months and discovered this today.
1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT
Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished
This in the context of David talking to Solomon and giving him instruction about building the Temple. This is after many chapters outlining the many consequences David's older children, and David himself, have faced as a result of negligent/distracted parenting, it is interesting to see this side of David as a father. It offers hope, in my estimation. David still has much to teach. He is still God's chosen. He still commands respect. His previous mistakes are not the only thing that will define him.
May this also be said of me!
When I read this particular passage, I heard the words in my head in my own daddy's voice. It was very much something like he would say: Get in there and get to work, stick to the plan, work hard, God will bless you. Do the right thing, you know what that is. This line of thinking is/was not absent from my mom's encouragement, ether. Not by a long shot.
Not quite "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." More "trust the plan."
God blesses us when we choose to serve God (almost) regardless of the path we take to do so.
David and Solomon's plans for the Temple, as handed down "through the Spirit" in some translations or "I have in mind" in some as stated in verse 19, were much more clearly from God than the plans laid out in many of out lives. However, in Scripture it is clear: God's work WILL be finished.
If I live a life that helps with finishing the work of the Temple/Body/Family of God rather than living a life that stands in the way of this, I am "do[ing] the work."
I know how I plan to "do the work" today. How will you? I pray you do so with courage and strength.
These awake times have become a blessing.
I have been reading the Chronological reading plan through the You version Bible app for several months and discovered this today.
1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT
Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished
This in the context of David talking to Solomon and giving him instruction about building the Temple. This is after many chapters outlining the many consequences David's older children, and David himself, have faced as a result of negligent/distracted parenting, it is interesting to see this side of David as a father. It offers hope, in my estimation. David still has much to teach. He is still God's chosen. He still commands respect. His previous mistakes are not the only thing that will define him.
May this also be said of me!
When I read this particular passage, I heard the words in my head in my own daddy's voice. It was very much something like he would say: Get in there and get to work, stick to the plan, work hard, God will bless you. Do the right thing, you know what that is. This line of thinking is/was not absent from my mom's encouragement, ether. Not by a long shot.
Not quite "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." More "trust the plan."
God blesses us when we choose to serve God (almost) regardless of the path we take to do so.
David and Solomon's plans for the Temple, as handed down "through the Spirit" in some translations or "I have in mind" in some as stated in verse 19, were much more clearly from God than the plans laid out in many of out lives. However, in Scripture it is clear: God's work WILL be finished.
If I live a life that helps with finishing the work of the Temple/Body/Family of God rather than living a life that stands in the way of this, I am "do[ing] the work."
I know how I plan to "do the work" today. How will you? I pray you do so with courage and strength.
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