OTHERS MAY FINISH!

Saturday, July 18, 2020

OTHERS MAY FINISH!

1 Chron 28:6-10

6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

10 Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

           David had a marvelous rule but the one desire of his heart was to build a temple for the Lord. He once complained that he lived in a palace but the Ark of God continued to reside in a tent. It was the most important thing on his “bucket list.” But God said no.

           As I approach the conclusion of a 49-year pastoral ministry, there are things that I would like to see accomplished, but it seems clear that some of those things will be accomplished by others. It is both disappointing and comforting.

           Paul, in Second Timothy chapter 4, begins to deliver his own ministry to young Timothy. He had fought a good fight and now realized that he was about to finish his course. He had plans, but others would finish.

           You may be too young to understand the meaning of this devotional, but there will come a time when you will realize you will probably not finish everything on your “bucket list.” Others will finish. It is at this time that we must deliver a lifetime of effort into the hands of others. The truth is that we must deliver our cause into the able hands of God.

Be strong, and do it!

Dear Lord, let me labor for the master from the dawn to setting sun. Let me talk of all His wonderous love and care. Then when all of life is over and my work on earth is done, when the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. AMEN