Recently at work we had a webinar, and we talked about ways to better manage our client’s calendar. Color coding. Blocking time.
Then there was the debate about things that belong on the calendar and things that don’t. One person wanted everything on their calendar from meetings and appointments to their devotion time and brushing their teeth. (Not quite, but close.)
And since this is the time of year we usually organize our lives, make new lists, set new goals, I thought I’d give you a couple things to add to your list. Make sure they’re on your calendar.
In I Chronicles 28, David calls everyone together. He’s at the end of his days and he’s ready to give his final charge. These are his final words.
You can learn a lot about someone by reading their final words. There’s usually not a lot of non-essential communication about the weather. Final words aren’t usually full of wardrobe choices, whether or not you need to lose weight, or if you’re going to buy that new car.
At the end, those things really don’t matter. In someone’s final words, you usually hear what matters most to them.
So David gives a general charge to his officials and leaders, and then he turns to his son. Solomon. The one who is about to take his place as king. The one who will be responsible for his dynasty. And he gives Solomon his heart. These are the first of his final words to Solomon.
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.” (I Chronicles 28:9)
“This is what you want to put on your To Do List, Solomon. Make sure these are on your calendar daily. If you do these two things, no matter what you face, you’ll make it through. This will help you be a good king and leader. This is what matters.”
1. Know God Intimately.
2. Worship God Wholeheartedly.
His first final words weren’t political. They weren’t the 10 steps of how to run a dynasty or 15 ways to keep your nation prosperous.
His first final words were personal. What mattered most to his heart. The main thing he wanted to get across to Solomon.
These were most important to David because it’s what got him through.
They’re what got him through being anointed king at a young age so it didn’t go to his head.
They’re what got him through the long time in between being anointed as king and actually stepping into his kingship. “Lord, what’s taking so long? I don’t understand, but I trust You because I know You intimately.”
It’s how he faced Goliath. “The same God who was with me facing the lion and the bear will be with me now.”
These two things are what got him through running from Saul and Saul’s wanting to kill him. Having to leave his family and homeland and go live with the Philistines and act like a madman. “What’s going on? This isn’t what I thought it would look like that day Samuel came for dinner and anointed me as king. But, I know you see what I can’t see. I trust You.”
It’s what got him through coming back from battle to Ziklag to his entire camp burned to the ground and all the women and children were taken captive, including his family, and having his men want to stone him.
Instead of giving up in despair, he remembered His God and encouraged himself in the Lord. “But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
These two things are how we keep perspective. They’re how we stay grounded in the good times and how we stay comforted and sane in the difficult seasons.
There have been times in my life I’ve looked up to God and just said, “Where are you? Why did this happen or why didn’t that happen? I prayed, but it’s so dark. I don’t understand. BUT, I trust You. You’ve always been there and I trust You’re here now. I’ve only known You to be good, and even though this doesn’t look good, I trust that You see things I don’t see. I choose to trust.”
And those seasons always had an end. He always covered me with His peace and presence and goodness and walked me through them and worked them around into something that wasn’t just good. He worked them into something amazing.
So, let’s put these two things on our list. On our calendar. Every day. No matter what.
- Know God intimately.
- Worship God wholeheartedly.
I think we’ll be amazed and how fully satisfied and wonderful our life will be.