Keep and Seek

O. T. #922  "Keep and Seek"
Feb. 8, 2017
1 Chronicles 28-Part 2


LET IT GLOW

In the previous lesson, King David gathered his leaders and Solomon, his son. He revealed that God had chosen Solomon to be Israel's next king and to build the new Temple. David informed his people the reason was that he was not building it was that he had shed blood in war. He is some sound advice from a man after God's own heart.

Before David charged Solomon publicly, he gave three charges:

1. First to the gathered assembly: Keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. (verse 8)
2. Next, to his son Solomon, know thou the God of your father.
3. Serve Him with a perfect heart  and with a willing mind.

In Hebrew, keep is defined as to hedge about (as with thorns), guard, to protect, attend, take heed, observe;
seek refers to tread or frequent , usually to follow, to ask, to worship, make inquisition, question;
know means acknowledge, acquaintance, have respect;
perfect, as used here, refers to complete, whole;
willing is to grow torpid.
Webster Dictionary defines torpid as having lost power of exertion.

With all that looked up and said, what is David saying to Solomon?

• Get to know God's Word (commandments) frequently, heeding it, inquiring of it, following it.
• Get to know God; respect Him.
• Get to serving God wholeheartedly, and with a willing mind-surrender to Him.

Can there be any better advice for father to son, king to next king, for us thousands of years later?
Are we studying the Bible, praying, and serving our God?
Do we have a perfect heart and willing mind?


LET IT GROW

Continuing in verse 9, we read ...for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.

Nothing is hidden from God. He searches every heart. He sees and understands everything in our hearts. Didn't David find this out the hard way when God sent Nathan to expose David's adultery and murder. This father tells his son to be completely open with God and dedicated to Him. After all, does it make any sense to try to hide any thoughts or actions from an all-knowing God? So, God knows the worse about us and still loves us anyway. Now that should ring our bell today; fill us with joy.

LET IT GO

Keep and seek God's Word daily.

May I know you more today, Lord Jesus than yesterday.

Serve God with a perfect heart (with all my heart) and a willing mind to do His will.