Daily PresenceSample

My phone rang one weekday afternoon in the middle of summer. The weather was incredible, the sun was shining, and the only thing missing was an angelic choir serenading my every step (pastors don’t actually get those). I answered with a joy that reflected the beauty of the day, only to hear my friend on the other end say, “We just left the doctor…” After a long pause and what sounded like fighting back tears he uttered a sentence that shot goosebumps down my arms, “The doctor said to get our house in order.” What was supposed to be a confirmation that the cancer and tumor were healing turned out to be the worst possible outcome. I spent one last afternoon with my friend and his wife, and their words still mean a great deal to me today. They talked about marriage, not going through life taking the important things for granted, and the unavoidable reality of our mortality. They testified to the goodness of God and attributed their peaceful acceptance of the outcome to their confidence in life with Christ. We prayed together. She was with Jesus less than a month later.

The words and wisdom of people who have walked with Jesus for years are always valuable. But when they’re the last words, there’s something invaluable about them. That’s what we have in 2 Chronicles 28. David is preparing for the end of his life. He’s received clarity from the Lord on Solomon’s call to continue the work and build the Lord’s temple. As he “gets his house in order” David drops some invaluable wisdom on Solomon. Usually, I’d summarize the passage and make an application, but it’s too good not to simply read again. Here’s what I want you to do instead: Insert your name for “Solomon” at the beginning, and change the word “temple” to “life.” Read the passage allowed and let these words of wisdom become invaluable to your soul:

“And [NAME], my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a [LIFE] as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.”