1 Chronicles 28:9

New International Version (NIV)

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.

For Meditation

The Akans of Ghana have a saying that, if you hear someone advising their child, it may benefit you to heed the advice yourself. I find it to be very true, especially if it is a godly counsel. For some of us who come from broken homes and do not have any father figure around to point us in the right direction, this saying is excellent counsel.

The absence of good parental counsel could result from various circumstances—divorce, death, alcoholism and drug abuse, sheer neglect, unbelieving parents, and many others—but the result is the same. It is pure grace to have friends or relatives who are fortunate enough to have received godly counsel from their parents. Those who have made the most of such opportunities have become well-grounded and successful in life, despite the obvious lack of their homes. 

David was on the last lap of his life and his young son, Solomon, had succeeded him as king of Israel. Solomon was inexperienced and needed all the support and counsel he could get. After reviewing the history of the temple project before the assembled officials of Israel, David turned to Solomon and gave him the charge of his life (1 Chronicles 28:9-10).

Two takeaways from David to Solomon:

First, to acknowledge God for who He is—our Father in heaven. Second, as children of God, we must serve Him with wholehearted devotion and willing minds, always remembering that God searches the heart and perceives its desires and motives. If we seek him, He will reveal His heart to us (1 Chronicles 28:9-10).

So, we must hear David charging us today to remember who Christ is and who we are in Him (1 Pt. 2:9) and to take a courageous stand in Him to build a vigorous life and character that will stand against the storms of this dying world.

It’s a noble charge that we must accept and take seriously, and I encourage you to come with me on this journey to glory, singing with Charles Wesley.

The Hymn

1 

A charge to keep I have, 
a God to glorify, 
a never-dying soul to save, 
and fit it for the sky. 

2 

To serve the present age, 
my calling to fulfill, 
O may it all my pow’rs engage 
to do my Master’s will! 

3 

Arm me with watchful care 
as in Thy sight to live, 
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare 
a strict account to give!

4

 Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.

– John Wesley (1762)

Shalom