Word of Encouragement (12/05/2024)
I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” (1 Chron. 29:17–19)
In v. 18, David prays, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.” He addresses God as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers.” Obviously, he is alluding to God’s covenant with the three Patriarchs. In doing so, he is praising God for fulfilling His promise to multiply their offspring “as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore” (Gen. 22:17). (Of course, this was a poetic expression to show how great the number of their descendants would be, both physical and spiritual.) But that was only one part of the covenant. God also promised to give the land of Canaan to the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), which He fulfilled as well. David and the people of Israel had reasons to rejoice.
But what touched David’s heart on that day was God’s “deeper” grace for him and His people. Throughout Israel’s history, God’s grace toward Israel had been constant and rich. But it could not be said that Israel had been grateful and faithful to her LORD. But on that day, the people of Israel were lavishing in their contributions toward the construction of the temple. Such liberality could not be forced, especially when their giving was accompanied by much rejoicing. Maybe God’s blessings were too abundant and apparent to be denied. Many of the older Jews remembered the dark days of Saul’s tyranny. Under the reign of David, things have changed so drastically. Their enemies were subdued like never before. They experienced unprecedented prosperity in the land. Having received so much, they wanted to give generously to this worthy cause, which David, their king, initiated. And when they saw their neighbors do the same, their joy multiplied.
Seeing all this, David could not help but pray that God would “keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.” What a beautiful sight it was to see the people of God bringing their contributions, rejoicing! How pleased God must be to see their love and devotion to their Lord, and much greater would be His blessings when He was so pleased with them! What a noble and powerful Israel would be under God’s almighty protection and abundant provision! And how happy the people of God would be! All nations would consider Israel most blessed!
This prayer was answered in the next generation under Solomon’s reign but did not last. Israel was only a shadow of the kingdom of heaven: it was not heaven, and its citizens were not glorified saints. It pointed to the eternal kingdom of heaven, in which all God’s elect would enjoy unimaginable blessings for all eternity far beyond what Israel experienced under David and Solomon. By the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God granted to all those who believe in His Son access to the heavenly kingdom of God. It is to that kingdom you belong. You may only have a foretaste of that kingdom for now, but there will come a day when the fullness of God’s blessings will be yours to enjoy forever. May the purposes and thoughts of your heart always be directed to that heavenly kingdom and to its victorious and glorious King!