April 22, 2026 - 1 Chronicles 22-24

As we know, the Lord prohibited David from building the temple in Jerusalem, reserving that task for David’s son, Solomon.  Surely David would have been disappointed; nevertheless, an important, even necessary, task fell to him, that is, the gathering of materials and preparing the people for the work.  David accepted his role in the matter, and he declared, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel” (22:1).  David said to his son, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.  But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth’” (22:7-8).  And to Solomon, “Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God” (22:11).  All this brings to my mind James and John and their request:  “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37) but also Jesus’ response:  “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:43-45).  Rather than seeking our own glory or benefit, let us always be found faithful and, in our faithfulness, humbly and graciously doing whatever God would have us do.

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow thee;

Destitute, despis’d, forsaken,

Thou from hence my all shalt be.

Perish, ev’ry fond ambition,

All I’ve sought, and hop’d, and known;

Yet how rich is my condition;

God and Heav’n are still my own!   -- Henry Francis Lyte (1825)