DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SEEKING GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SEEKING GOD

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." (I Chronicles 28:9)

King David had come to the end of his reign and he gave a charge to his son, Solomon, whom would shortly be anointed as King of Israel. What words of instruction would you say to your son in this case? We can find good counsel in David's words to his son.

First, know God. David loved the Lord with all of his heart. From his youth, he had a strong faith and had seen God do mighty things.  This was not just an insignificant admonition. There are two types of knowing. One is to know about something. The other is to know personally by experience. I think David wanted Solomon to know God in the personal way that David knew God.

Secondly, to serve God with a loyal heart and willing mind. The word "loyal" indicates complete and full devotion, not divided, but with a heart fully set on serving God. A willing mind is one that really desires to serve God, not because of external pressures, but because it is pleasant and delightful.

Thirdly, David urges Solomon to seek God – to be diligent to search out God and His wisdom.

Sadly, Solomon didn't always follow these instructions, to his own damage, and we can see the results in the book of Ecclesiastes. But they

remain good instruction to us to follow: Know God in personal relationship; serve God with an undivided heart because it is pleasant and delightful; and seek God with all of our hearts. "Let the hearts of those who rejoice seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore" (Psalm 105:3b-4).

Love, Dad