May 17 - 1 Chronicles 28:9

[King David said,] Solomon, my son, 

learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.

Worship and serve him with your whole heart

and with a willing mind.

For the Lord sees every heart and

understands and knows every plan and thought.

If you seek him, you will find him.

1 Chronicles 28:9

 

Wow!

 

What a final blessing from father to son!

 

As King David prepares to step aside -- as, indeed, his time of death draws near -- he gives this final commendation to the next king, Solomon, his own son.

 

Now, we could say that these are appropriate words for Bible characters and proper advise to the next leader of God's chosen people. But guess what ... these are proper words for ALL parents to ALL their children. 

 

And each of these phrases are not unlike the blessings that Jesus wants to bestow on us too ...

• David said, "learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately," and Jesus says, when you pray, start by calling God, "Father, Abba, Daddy" because God wants an intimate relationship with you (see Mt 6:9).  
• David said, "Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind." Jesus calls the first and greatest purpose to "love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Lk 10:27).
• David said, "the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought." Jesus says, "you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. In fact, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid" (Luke 12:7).
• David said, "If you seek [God], you will find him." Jesus says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will give you everything you need." 

David's advice in not just a Bible character's advice to another Bible character. It's the truest advice and blessing that any of us can give to another. Why? Because this blessing can last forever and ever and ever.

 

In Christ's Love,

a father who's given his sons

the keys to the family car,

but what I need to make sure I'm doing

is giving them the keys to the kingdom