1 Chronicles Chapter 22: verse 5 (NIV-UK)
David said, ‘My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendour in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.’ So David made extensive preparations before his death.
David had the desire and drive to build a Temple for God. But God told him that was not his job. That was to be done by his son, Solomon. If David was disappointed at not being able to carry out his heart’s desire, we don’t see any sign of that. We see instead that he did everything in his power to ensure that Solomon, the younger and less experienced, was given everything he needed to ensure that the job was done to the highest possible standard. David didn’t slow down and let Solomon get on with things. We read that he made extensive preparations before his death.
Perhaps we too had our heart set on a project or role, and that has gone to someone else. We can make a choice. We can feel sorry for ourselves and let the other person get on with things, or, like David, we can do all that we can to support that person to enable them to carry out that job to the best of their ability. That might be practical support, as David gave by gathering all the materials, or it might be praying for that person and for the success of the work that God has put into their hands. God told David why He wouldn’t allow him to build the Temple. He may not tell us why He has not chosen us for the role that we wanted. But we can trust that He knows what He’s doing and He’s not finished with us yet.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this lesson from David in submitting to Your will and how to behave when we are disappointed. Help me to emulate David’s response so that You are glorified in it. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.