Sermon on 1 Chronicles 28:1-21
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David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by their course, the captains over the thousands, the captains over the hundreds, the stewards over all the substance and the possession of the king, and the mighty men (1Ch 28:1),
That is a big congregation of important people.
Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, my people: As for me, I had in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, You shall not build a house for my name, because you have been a man of war, and you shed blood. Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over Israel:
And of all of my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, serve him with a perfect heart, with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth the hearts, and understands all of the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever (1Ch 28:2-9).
Now David has gathered together all of the men of Israel, the leaders, all of the chief people, and what David's goal and desire now is to pass on to the posterity, the greatness, the blessing and the glory of a kingdom that is governed by God. And as you look at the kingdom under David, it was a kingdom that was definitely governed by God. David was careful to seek God, except in those cases where he failed. And now, as he is getting ready to depart, he stands up and he tells these people, "Now look, walk in the commandments of God in order that your children might enjoy the same things that you enjoyed in this land."
It isn't enough that we enjoy the blessings of freedom in a free society. It should actually be our purpose and goal to pass on to our children the same kind of benefits that we have enjoyed. But when I think now of my grandchildren growing up in this present world, in my heart I cringe. I wonder what kind of a world are they growing up in? As beautiful as Hawaii is, it is being so corrupted and polluted by man. That paradise has many flaws. You read in the paper, "Don't go in this area. Stay out of this area. Be sure to lock your car. Don't leave any valuables in your car." Signs all over. Honolulu's about number one for crime in the nation. Tragic. What kind of a world are our children growing up in? Where will they be able to go and be safe? What will they be able to do as they get older? How long will freedom exist? Because we have thought that we could turn our backs upon God. We thought that we could worship the gods of materialism, success and prosperity and come out ahead. But our nation is going down the tube very fast and I fear for my grandchildren growing up. I wonder will there be any place for them to really grow up.
It isn't enough that I have enjoyed the freedom. It is my desire that they should also enjoy the same kind of blessings. But we have been so totally corrupted by the movie industry, and it is getting worse every day. Because of the impressionable minds of people, they do what they see done. And the movie industry has introduced practically every type and form of evil and immorality that the minds of man can imagine. And they have corrupted our society. People follow after the patterns that they see. And I fear for the future.
And David had reservations. He knew that the secret of success was their relationship with God. And thus, he is encouraging them to maintain that relationship with God. That their children might enjoy these things that you have enjoyed. Our nation has lost its relationship with God. I don't know if it's too late or not. I don't know if a change of administration at this point is enough. It would appear that maybe we were already gone beyond the point of no return. Many, many leaders are saying so.
But those that are saying so usually again don't take God into account. But I will say this: apart from a tremendous spiritual revival just really changing this nation, we are through. There's no hope. And that's the thing that concerns me. My grandchildren growing up in a totalitarian society without the same blessings of freedom that I've been able to enjoy. That's what hurts. But I'm praying for that revival. I want to see God move once more across this nation. I would be so thrilled if God would move every godless judge appointed by the godless leaders and every legislator out of office, and that again we would have righteous men leading our nation. That's the only hope, but I don't see how it can be accomplished. But God can do what I can't see. Now what can I do? The only thing I can really do is pray. And the Scriptures command us to pray for those that are in authority over us. But I really am. This thing really troubles me. Troubles me deeply. I really get emotional and moved when I look at the condition of the nation today and I see where we are.
David laid it out. He said, "Look, follow after God. Obey the commandments that you might dwell in the land. And that your children might dwell in the land." But they didn't. They soon turned away from God and disaster followed. And in every nation where they've turned away from God disaster has always followed. And our nation is facing disaster. Then David, having addressed the leaders, the princes, the governors, the captains over the thousands, hundreds and so forth. Then he turned to Solomon and he again gives to Solomon some very sagacious advice.
"And thou, Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve Him." First of all, know God. Secondly, serve God with a complete heart. What good advice. Know God, son. And "serve Him with your heart completely and with a willing mind: for the Lord searches the hearts. He understands all the imaginations and the thoughts: and if you seek Him, He will be found; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." The basic truth about God. Know Him. Serve Him with a complete heart, a willing mind. For God knows your heart. God knows your imaginations. You're not hiding a thing from God. If you seek Him, you'll be prosperous.
Take heed now; for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses (1Ch 28:10-11), David now laid out. He unraveled all the blueprints and he showed him the whole thing. And he said, "The Lord gave this to me by the Spirit." And so David had been inspired of God in the drawing of the plans for this new temple. All of the porches and all and he laid out the whole thing. So really, though he wasn't able to build it, he sure had a great part in it. He drew the plans. He gathered all of the materials and said to Solomon, "Okay now, go ahead and go for it." And this, said David, the LORD made me to understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all of the works of this pattern (1Ch 28:19).
So it came to him by inspiration of God, the building and how it should be built. Even as Moses was directed in the building of the tabernacle, so David was directed by the Spirit of God in the pattern of the temple.
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: don't be afraid or dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with you; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until you have finished all of the work for the service of the house of the LORD. And, behold, the courses of the priests, the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: all manner of workmanship willing skillful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at your commandment (1Ch 28:20-21).
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