“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of our ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind…If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
1 Chronicles 28:9
David had learned to trust the God who faithfully delivered him from the lion, the bear, the giant, and from Saul. With passion he prepared a place to bring the Ark of God near him and often went to that Tent to sit before the Lord. Whether it was to express sorrow for sin, gratefulness for mercy, or humbleness over God’s favor…David loved to be in the Presence of his God.
So, no wonder the heart of David’s charge to his son was, “Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.” Both David and his ancestors knew from experience that only relationship with God gives you power to fulfill the plans of God. There was something far more important than passing on God’s plans and treasures for building the Temple—David passed on the passion to know the God who would dwell in the Temple!
In his final public prayer, David left an important reminder for us all: “We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” (29:15)
So what have we learned in our few short years? What will we pass on to the next generation?
May it be a passion to know the God of our ancestors intimately!
