Bible Reading for December 28 – I Chronicles 22:14-19

How can we help to build the Kingdom of the Lord? In David’s time, God was only supposed to be worshipped in one place, so it was necessary for a Temple to be built. Today, we understand that the Temple pointed to the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, the only Savior and only true King. And we know that Jesus is worshipped by people from every tribe and tongue, all over the world.

But if we want to bring more and more people into the Kingdom of God, encouraging them to receive Christ as Savior and bow the knee to Him as Lord, there’s a lot we can learn from this passage. After all, since the Church covers the whole world, no one person can possibly do all the preaching or teaching or serving that needs to be done. We all have different gifts and talents, but all of us must use them to the best of our abilities so that God might receive all the glory.

David certainly sets a good example for us, doesn’t he? He knew he wasn’t called to build the Temple, but that didn’t stop him from making the very best preparations he could. Not only did he provide many of the necessary building materials and assemble many of the craftsmen (v. 14-16). By conducting so many successful military operations (v. 18), he had made it possible for Solomon to focus on building projects instead of fighting wars. And so David urged Solomon, along with all the leaders of Israel, to play their part, to finish the work he had begun.

How is God calling you to advance the cause of Christ today? Maybe in some ways you’ll be on the frontlines, telling people you know about Jesus and showing His love to them through selfless service. Maybe in other ways you’ll play a supporting role, praying for the ministry of others and enabling their work through your financial gifts. But if we truly set our minds and hearts to seek the Lord and His will (v. 19), God will give us a chance to get involved in His great mission to save the world. May we see and seize those God-given opportunities today.

I Chronicles 22:14-19 (ESV)

14 With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add.
15 You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working
16 gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!”
17 David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18 “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and his people.
19 Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.”