1 Chronicles 29:1-5 Furthermore David the king said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender… David gives an explanation at the commencement of this chapter why he himself had prepared so much for the house of God, viz. that Solomon himself was as yet young and tender, and the work was great. But David assigns the true reason why the work was great, viz. that the house was "not for man, but for the Lord God." It is true that the house was a great one, and that the work was great in a natural point of view. But all such thoughts are lost or sink behind that which alone makes anything great - the Lord God. There are two ways of estimating greatness - one that strikes the mere outward sense, and one that looks at God. It may be that the building is only a hut, but if it is to the Lord it is infinitely greater than the grandest building ever erected by the art of man. And because it was for the Lord, David had prepared for it "with all his might." It is this motive which gives power and strength and delight and earnestness to all work. But it was not only as a king David had thus prepared. In this world men may separate the office from the person; but not so in the kingdom of God. God's claims on men are not only official but personal; not only as kings, but as Christian men. David had prepared so much (see ver. 2) as Israel's king, but he bad also prepared so much of "his own proper good" (see ver. 3). A minister of Christ has not only to walk worthy of his vocation as a minister, but also as a man; not only in the pulpit and parish, but as a man in all the private relations of life. Having fulfilled both of these relations to the house of God, he can now make his appeal to others. He has set the example: who will follow it? "Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" "Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do" (Philippians 4:9). And consecration is simply to "fill the hand" (see margin). "He has his hands full" is a familiar saying. Yes; it is every faculty of the man - body, soul, and spirit taken up with the Lord and his work. No room for anything else. Not even a grain more can the hand hold. "To me to live is Christ." All our secular work done to him. Thus life becomes transfigured. And this is not for to-morrow. It is "this day. God asks for it now. Two of God's requirements there are which admit of no to-morrow. One is the salvation of the soul: Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." Another is consecration-dedication to God:" Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" It is not so much a command as an appeal It must come from the heart or it cannot be accepted. "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6.) is made to the heart of the prophet. That heart had "seen the King," and out of the fulness of a love that had penetrated its inmost recesses it exclaimed, "Here am I, Lord; send me." So it was here. All the princes and rulers and congregation of Israel responded to this appeal from one whom they loved, and offered largely and "willingly." No wonder all was joy. The king, the princes, the congregation, were overflowing with joy. It was the response of a "perfect heart," a true, whole-hearted, joyous surrender of themselves and all they had to the Lord. This is the spring of all real joy. It is nowhere else - an unconditional surrender of ourselves and all we have to him "who loved us and gave himself for us." - W. Parallel Verses KJV: Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. |
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