A WORD TO THE WISE IS SUFFICIENT

I CHRONICLES 28:9,10,20

11   As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father

and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind;

for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts.

12   Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you

to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.

20   Then David said to his son Solomon, Be strong and courageous and act;

do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God is with you.

He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work

for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.

David had the task of offering instruction and advice to the wisest man who ever lived.   His words were rock solid and set a pattern for any who would be wise in any generation.

A Mandate for the Wise

In verse 9, David tells Solomon to "know God" and to "serve Him."   To know God is far more than to have an intellectual awareness of Him; rather it is experiential knowledge that is based on repeated interaction.   My brother knows cars.   He does not have just an awareness of cars, he knows them inside and out.   His many years of experience as a mechanic have provided an understanding that is beyond recognizing the different makes and models.   David tells his son that he should have a growing intimacy in his awareness of God.   Further, he should have a growing involvement in his activity for God -- that he should serve Him.

That service should be marked by a "whole heart" and a "willing mind."   When i serve with a whole heart, I will hold nothing back; I will be single minded; I will give little thought to the cost of serving, and no complaints will cross my lips.   My service will be marked by dedication. A willing mind indicates I will delight in my service.  I will view it as a blessing rather than a burden and my service will be marked by delight rather than viewed as a drudgery.

A Motivation for the Wise

"For the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts."   Knowing that God realizes what is in my heart should motivate me to always do my best and seek excellence.   God inspects what I do.  He inspects how I do it, and He inspects why I do it.  Further God rewards what is in my heart because if i seek Him, I will find Him.

A Mission for the Wise

"Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you."  How amazing that God would consciously choose you or Me to do any part of His work.   I should approach every day and every task knowing that He formed me and knew me before I was in my mother's womb.   I should be conscious of my calling.   Further, I should be courageous in my calling -- David says, be strong and act.

The Means Provided for the Wise

"Be strong" could be translated be strengthened.   It is not that I must be strong in my own might; rather, I can be strong only because He provides the strength.   I need not fear or be dismayed because the Lord my God is with me and He will not forsake me until the work is finished.   I can be strong in God's power.  I can be sure of  God's presence.  I can be stedfast in God's purpose.