The extension of David’s love for God was his desire to build a temple for God. Up to this point the shrine that symbolised God’s presence amongst his people was the simple tent structure that Moses had built in the desert. The tent-tabernacle was designed to be mobile since at this time the Israelites were nomads. The building of the temple would therefore signal the final symbolic step in the occupation of the land. David was conscious of this, and he wanted to build a solid temple to signify this permanence. It was the expression of David’s desire for God to remain with his people in the land. However, David was not the one to build the temple. God was leaving this last step to Solomon. It is important to recognise that what we achieve in this life is always incomplete. We always depend on the next generation to finish what we begin. Conversely, what we are called to do in this life is simply to continue the work of the kingdom that others began before us. Every act of service that you render to God is one step in a long sequence. God has prepared a role for you in his plan and he has others who will come after you to pick up where you left off. It is sobering to realise this. It means that we should always strive to honour the work of the previous generation and to prepare for the next generation. This perspective will help you take a bigger view of where you fit into God’s plan.
Ask God to show you more clearly what your role is in his plan.
Read 1 Chronicles 22
