David had done as much as he could do. He’d put in a ton of preparation. Plans drawn . . . materials acquired . . . labor force secured and organized . . . everything David could do, he had done to prepare for the building of the temple. It was in his heart to build a resting place for the ark of of the covenant of the Lord . . . a place to be the “footstool of God” . . . but, it would not be his to build (1Chron. 28:2-3). That would be left to his son, Solomon. But though he would not see the temple in his day, he did everything in his power to get ready for its construction . . . he did all he could to ensure his son was set up for success.

But “success” wasn’t just about the materials . . . nor just about the building . . . David also knew that it was about the builder. His son also needed to be prep’d. The “who” of the project was equally important to the “how.” It was about more than just a welcoming home for the God of heaven . . . it needed to be about a welcoming heart as well. And so, as David hands over the baton (and tons of building materials) he also passes on a charge to his son:

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” (1Chronicles 28:9-10)

Pretty simple. Know God . . . serve God . . . seek God . . . be strong and do it! And the secret sauce? . . . “with a whole heart and a willing mind.”

That God blesses despite our failings is obvious. That God uses less than best intentions to accomplish divine purposes is part of His sovereign and gracious prerogative. That God might determine to take the self-serving efforts of mere mortals and through them shape the things of eternity is His to command. But . . . it seems to hit me afresh this morning . . . what God really wants from His “builders” is service founded on a whole heart and a willing mind. With God it’s not about the ends justifying the means . . . it is so much about “the means” . . . the intent . . . the purpose . . . the thought behind the action.

He wants a heart that is undivided . . . serving one Master and Him alone . . . fully focused on the Object of service and not just on the service itself. God, says David, searches hearts and understands what’s behind the plans. That God desires the heart above the heroics is plain. That’s where the prep needs to first begin . . . in the inner man . . . in the spring of our moral character . . . in the seat of desire and passion . . . in the soul . . . the DNA of the essence of who we are. God wants me to serve Him with my whole heart. The “project” is almost secondary to the person. Before God, the service’s true value is found in the heart of the servant.

And, . . . in the servant’s mind. God is less interested in having the temple built then He is in having a people who desire to build the temple. God’s pleasure is found not just in the result of service rendered to Him, but is found in the pleasure we have in rendering Him service. He desires our desire . . . He delights in our delight . . . He is brought pleasure through our pleasure . . . when that desire and delight and pleasure is the fuel which propels us to do whatever we do, as to the Lord (Col. 3:23).

Mine is not to build a magnificent temple . . . but I have other stuff the Lord wants me to do for Him. And so, David’s words are directed to me this morning . . . Know God . . . Serve God . . . Seek God . . . Be strong and do it! . . . with a whole heart and a wiling mind!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .