Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Chronicles 28: 20-21
28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.
God Gives Wisdom to Accomplish This Work—
[1 Chronicles 28:20, 21 quoted.] David’s solemn charge should be kept in mind by those who are in positions of trust today; for it is as verily binding upon these men as it was upon Solomon at the time it was given. In this our day of probation God’s people are being tested and tried as surely as they were in the days of Solomon. {3BC 1129.2}
This whole chapter is of importance to all the people of God living in this age. In the business that He desires men of His appointment to carry on for the safety and prosperity of His kingdom, the Lord does not link together scattered elements that have not had a genuine experience, and that give no promise of developing characters that may be depended upon to bear responsibilities in connection with the work of molding and fashioning a nation to do a most solemn, sacred service for God, consistent with the uplifted, purified state of a people who represent Him. {3BC 1129.3}
God’s service is not committed to one man’s judgment and option, but is divided among those who are found willing to labor interestedly and self-sacrificingly. Thus all, according to the skill and ability God has given them, bear the responsibilities that He has appointed to them. The important interests of a great nation were entrusted to men whose talents fitted them to handle these responsibilities. Some were chosen to direct the business affairs; others were chosen to look after spiritual matters connected with the worship of God. All the religious service and every branch of the business was to bear the signature of heaven. “Holiness unto the Lord” was to be the motto of the laborers in every department. It was regarded as essential that everything be conducted with regularity, propriety, fidelity, and dispatch. {3BC 1129.4}
To all who are engaged in His service, the Lord gives wisdom. The tabernacle to be borne in the wilderness, and the temple at Jerusalem, were built in accordance with special directions from God. In the very beginning, He was particular as to the design and the accomplishment of His work. In this age of the world He has given His people much light and instruction in regard to how His work is to be carried forward,—on an elevated, refined, ennobling basis; and He is displeased with those who in their service do not carry out His design. He will separate such men from His cause, and prove others, who, if self-sufficient, will in turn be replaced by still other laborers (Manuscript 81, 1900). {3BC 1129.5}
God gives wisdom to accomplish His work according to His word and instructions. It is bewildering that in today’s age, with all the light given to man, man chooses to ignore God’s word, replacing it with the customs and traditions of men. Unfortunately, the age of reason gave man the illusion that men’s intellect and reasoning were superior to God. Man did not need God. Society quickly decayed, with immorality running rampant. It gave rise to theories such as evolution and eugenics, Hitler, Planned Parenthood, to name a few of the forces used to eliminate God from society. It attempts to destroy one of the great pillars of the Bible, marriage between a man and a woman and family values. God’s people are being tested and tried as surely as they were in the days of Solomon. What are we to do? Follow David’s example to obey God and follow His instructions to the letter. God gives the Power of the Holy Spirit to them that ask for it. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28: 20. God will not leave thee nor forsake thee. God will use you along with His people collectively to get the work done. He has a work for each person. Work to bear the signature of heaven. Make once again “Holiness unto the Lord” the motto of God’s people.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come boldly yet humbly into Your presence with thanks, praise, and prayer. We thank You for all Your wonderful creations, the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is. We thank You for forming us and breathing into our nostrils the breath of life. For creating us into Your own image. We pray for a genuine experience, and developing of characters to do a most solemn and sacred service for You. Thank You for the sacrifice You made on our behalf. For sending us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the way we should go. Thank You for giving each of us a special gift, a talent to use in carrying out the work You have appointed us to do. Thank You for Your plan of salvation for all who believe on You, that they may be saved. We pray for all Your children to turn away from their sinful life. May they confess and repent of their sins and pray for Your forgiveness. We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on them all. We pray for Your wisdom to accomplish the work You have entrusted to us. Grant us Your strength and courage to go forward whithersoever You take us. Help us to work together as many hands make the lifting lighter. Let us yoke up to You as Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. Keep us focused on Your plan and instructions, as David and Solomon did, with the work that is needed today. We pray that our work bears the signature of heaven. Make once again “Holiness unto the Lord” the motto of God’s people. We pray for all the families out there to remain diligent in the study of Your word and to keep their eyes on Jesus. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
