-Devotion by Kyle Shull (MN)
Since June just ended, the grad party season is starting to wind down for everyone. As a recent graduate from high school, it has been fun to host my own grad party and invite my family and friends to join the celebration. Beyond all the gifts, great food, and endless photos, one question always comes up. “What’s next?” For some, it’s college at a university, trade school, starting/joining a business, or even taking time to reflect on one’s next steps. Regardless, the level of responsibility increases substantially for many young people across America.
In 1 Chronicles 28-29, we see a young Solomon having his responsibilities skyrocket, as he officially takes his father’s place as King. His task from the Lord: build a house worthy of God through the plans that David possessed. This wasn’t a simple task, as v. 11-18 describe exactly everything that he had in mind for the Lord’s house. These verses describe divisions of the priests, the chambers, the treasuries, and detail the exact weight of every lampstand, table, gold dish, silver bowl, and many more items! I can’t imagine the feelings that Solomon would have as his father put his trust in him for one of the most sacred structures in the Bible.
However, David says to Solomon in verse 20-21, “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. Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing person of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command (CSB).” Later, in chapter 29, David also prays for Solomon to give him an undivided heart for the work ahead.
David knew the task God had granted to Solomon was challenging. However, David’s words echo the need to trust in the LORD and to rely on one’s community. Today, we aren’t the kings of nations, but we are faced with increasing responsibilities and freedoms each day we live. My relevant example was for graduates, but that isn’t the only limitation. Maybe it’s something that we want to do, like take an extraordinary trip with our family. Our responsibilities might be difficult to fulfill, such as taking care of someone in your neighborhood who is experiencing a long-term illness.
Whatever your next task is, I pray you will ask God for guidance as you navigate the path you must follow. He might not answer everything instantly, but still trust our Father up above, even when your path is narrow. God can also reveal guidance through the people we interact with. David gave all his leaders to Solomon to help with any task that needed to be accomplished. For many of us, that group of people is our church community. Whatever your next step in life is, ask your pastors, teachers, and people inside the church body. The Holy Spirit can work in mysterious ways through people we don’t even expect.
We can see this sense of community also in Philippians 1. Here, Paul gives gratitude to the Philippian church for their support in spreading the gospel (especially during his imprisonment in Acts 16). Even the Bible’s greatest evangelicals needed support from fellow believers. This emphasizes the need to reinforce our fellow community members on the right steps or the right people to seek help.
Paul ends Chapter One with a wish to the church: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (v. 27 ESV).” Whatever the next chapter is for you, do it while still living with Christ as the center of action.
Reflection Questions:
- The ideas of strength and courage are found in many Biblical leaders in power. Who are some of the people who stand out to you? In what ways can we live with the same biblical courage that these leaders had in our everyday tasks?
- In both passages, we see leaders, citizens, and early church members supporting people doing hard tasks through prayer, giving, and service. How can we support our church leaders, missionaries, and young people through our own experience and skills?
- How do you put Christ first in a new world where life is changing on all sides? What sustainable disciplines could you add to make the good news at the center of your heart?
Prayer:
Great and Mighty God,
Thank you for being our Father and for always letting us put our trust in you when we do difficult things. Please keep our hearts aligned with Christ in the center, wherever our next step is. Help us to be strong and courageous with you and our community supporting us.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Seek Grow Love 