I love how peoples hearts are filled with joy and thankfulness after an encounter with God. In 1 Chronicles 29 the offerings to be used towards the building of the Temple are collected. How often does a leader request something from the people they lead but they count themselves above following their own recommendation? When David tells the people about collections of materials for the Temple, he is first of all giving abundantly towards the Temple.
“Moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple, namely, 3000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7000 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the buildings; of gold for the things of gold and of silver for the things of silver, that is, for all the work done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” 1 Chronicles 29:3-5
The people of Israel gave abundantly to the materials needed for the Temple. The response is similar to the response of the people many generations before when Moses told the people to give as they wished towards the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25. The people followed David’s example and gave willingly to the needs of the Temple. Why are we forever changed when we encounter God?
Take time to read the prayer of David found in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20. I pray that you will find encouragement in his words which point to the greatness of God and our own inability before Him. “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.” 1 Chronicles 28:18,19 Do you see the heart of David in this prayer? Do you desire that God would instill within you a heart that desires to keep His commandments? What is the intention of your heart?
