Obedience, the Doorway to Accomplishing God's Work

December 18: Obedience is the doorway to accomplishing God’s Work

1 Chronicles 28:11-21 (NIV)
11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service.14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service:15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish;
18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and shelter the ark of the covenant of the Lord.19 "All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan."
20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command."

As Solomon sought God, David provided him with the full detailed plans on the temple. Everything was put in writing so there would be no confusion. God had promised to be with Solomon until the temple was finished. He would not forsake Solomon as long as he was working on the task that God had called him for.

Here is what I want you to notice about following God. Solomon discovered that even though he had been called by God to build the temple, once he obeyed the command to be strong and do the work he discovered that God had numbers of skilled craftsmen who knew how to build the temple. They were all waiting to obey his every command. God had prepared the people who were gifted and he only needed a person who was willing to obey His Word, the rest was history.

What is God calling you to do with your life at this present time? You may feel completely unqualified, this is as it should be. He wants you to learn how to look to him when confronted with the impossibility of what he has called you for. As you look to him you will discover resources you did not know you had until you step out in faith.

In our church life at present we are facing the challenge of doing more with less. Our budget has been shrunk considerably this past year and our finance team has been working overtime in overseeing the budget and expenditures of our tithes and offerings. Things look more difficult this year than last year, and some may even say they look rather dismal, but this is as it should be for us to set our affections on knowing God and seeking his face. I am convinced that as we do this we will find the resources we need for the work that God has called us to.

Here is the task God has called us to. The plans have already been distributed in the Scriptures. “Make disciples of every nation.” How can we do this since we are young an inexperienced. Many are fearful of sharing their faith, many others do not know how to answer the questions they will confront as they share Christ. Let us take encouragement from Solomon. Let us press on to know God and serve him with willingness and readiness and then stand back and watch as God opens the windows of heaven to pour out a blessing there will not be room enough for.

Pressing on to Know God,

Pastor phil