Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 23:27-28
For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above; because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God…

The leadership of God’s people was about to be handed over from father to son, from David to Solomon. David was not only passing on the crown, but also his cherished dream of building the Temple. While God did not permit David to build it, He did allow David to assemble the building materials. David was able to leave financial resources for Solomon as well. Most importantly, David left to Solomon people who were prepared to worship God and work in unity with each other, making sure all the details were cared for. Before long, our daily readings will be in the Psalms, where we will discover the true secret of what made David a great man. Psalms 22, 23 and 24, the cross, the crook, and the crown, came from David’s relationship with his Father God. As not everyone will find today’s reading very inspirational, we may want to read those writings of David (click here). Many blog participants will be able to quote the Psalm of the shepherd’s crook by memory. If not, why not memorize it today. David was about to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” He declared, “I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” We can have that same confidence! Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Your servant, David, never lost his vision for Your cause and specifically for the building of the Temple. I pray that I will never lose a vision for the future. May the exciting possibilities of Your work always be in my sight. May I be diligent to leave my affairs in order, providing what I have prepared for my family and for the ongoing success of Your work. In Jesus’ Name I ask for wisdom and guidance, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Norma-Jean and I have passed onto our children lots of pictures and keepsakes. We’ve also sent mementos and pictures to the churches and to Crossroads, places where we’ve worked through the years. We even came across a copy of our Last Will and Testament. The children and God’s work are remembered in our bequests. There is not much money, as we’ve tried to live modestly and to give sacrificially all along. Nevertheless, remembering King David’s last words have caused me to think again about these things.

When my Father stepped aside from his responsibilities in the college, he took on two country churches, his first love. I was 12 years old. My mother died just five months later. Dad would take me with him as he visited the farmers in his congregation. It was common to see in large letters on the barns signs like, “James Thompson and Son.” I knew that I would never see such a sign reading, “Roy Mainse and Son.” At the same time I was aware that my Father was giving me the inheritance of a life lived for God. If I can, I’ll attach below a copy of one of his hundreds of handwritten poems from his journal.

As a Father myself, I bear a huge responsibility for helping to bring four children into the world. I love you Elaine, Ellen, Reynold and Ron. I love your spouses, your children, and your grandchildren. Life goes on! I know I would be a basket case without the Lord. I can say with King David in Psalm 23, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Yours for honouring always, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,”

David

Image:
At the base of the Timna Cliffs in Timna Park (in the south of Israel), you can see a replica of the Tabernacle of Moses.