Has God given you a job recently? Perhaps you sense He has guided you to tackle a specific
task or take on a new responsibility. Does it feel overwhelming or beyond the scope of your experience or expertise? Good. Then it’s probably right where God wants you!
Recently God has presented me with a new opportunity. Since it’s a bit different from anything I’ve done before I’m a little nervous about how to proceed. I know I will have to depend on Him. And that’s a good thing.
This morning I was reading about David’s task of planning for the temple in First Chronicles, chapter 28. God did not allow David to actually build the temple because David was a man of war. God assigned that task to David’s son Solomon. However, God did ask David to do the planning and make preparations.
I know I’ve read this passage many times, but this morning I noticed truths about the Holy Spirit’s involvement that I had never slowed down to think about before.
The Spirit put all the detailed plans for the temple and its furnishings in David’s mind, from the massive stones to the amount of gold to be used in each serving fork (vs 17) to how the duties for the priests and Levites should be organized (vs 13). David knew and acknowledged that all the plans came from “the hand of the Lord” that was on Him. The Spirit gave David “understanding in all the details of the plan.”
When David’s task was completed he passed the baton to Solomon. As he did, David gave Solomon advice on serving the Lord and fulfilling His purposes:
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10, ESV
Here are a few things from this passage I think we can apply to ourselves as we step forward in obedience to tackle God-sized (or any size for that matter) tasks.
- “Know God” and seek Him – Make time with God a priority every day.
- Ask God to constantly check your attitudes and motivations for service. Are there any self-serving motives behind my “obedience?”
- Serve God with a “whole heart” – God shouldn’t just be my priority. He should be my everything.
- Pray for discretion and understanding – In 1 Chronicles 22:11-12, David asked God to give Solomon discretion and understanding as he began to build the Lord’s house.
- “Be strong and do it” – As you seek God, ask Him to keep your motivations in check, and pray for His direction, then whatever He shows you, step out and do it!
What is your God-given and God-sized task? Are you depending on His Spirit? “Be strong and do it!”
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