Success and joining God in what He is doing

DAILY BIBLE READING:

1 Chronicles 28:1–29:30 
Romans 5:6-21 
Psalm 15:1-5 
Proverbs 19:18-19

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

1 Chronicles 28:20 (CSB) "Then David said to his son Solomon, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the Lord’s house is finished.'"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

There came a time with the mighty King David was nearing death. Rather than allow events to play out after his death, he presented his son, Solomon, as king before his own demise.

But, his son was still very young. He was inexperienced. 

And David knew that leadership was hard. Very hard. There are times when decisions have to be made that are for the best of the people and yet the decision will be overwhelmingly unpopular. There will be times when the leader feels abandoned by those he has relied on or trusted in. There will be times when the results of his decisions are utterly distasteful even to himself.

There would inevitably be times when Solomon would feel afraid or even terrified. He would also have times when he battled discouragement or even depression.

So, David gave his son the instructions found in our Verse for Today:

1 Chronicles 28:20 (CSB) "Then David said to his son Solomon, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the Lord’s house is finished.'"

David told his son to "be strong and courageous, and do the work" of building the temple and leading the people. He was also told: "Don't be afraid or discouraged."

Was this simply a superficial pep talk? Was there any substantive reason for why Solomon could keep his chin up when times got tough?

Yes! And the reasons for Solomon's strength and courage can be claimed by each of us who follow Jesus!

Solomon was told that "the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won't leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the LORD's house is finished."

In other words, God had a plan. He was going to accomplish it. As long as Solomon was joining God in what He was doing, Solomon couldn't fail.

Get that! It's important!

As long as Solomon was joining God in what God was doing, Solomon couldn't fail.

Friend, this is the same principle that Henry Blackaby has been saying for years in his classic work, "Experiencing God." God has not put us on this earth and called us to Himself so that we can do whatever we want to do. No! He has put us on this earth and called us to Himself so that we can join Him in what He is doing.

So, today, look for God's fingerprints. Begin by reading His Word and spending time in prayer. Then, keep an eye open for what God is doing around you. And then join Him in that.

God has never promised to make us successful in what we want to do. But, He will bless us if we are determined to join Him in what He is doing.