To be a child of God is to be a follower. We are to follow our Lord’s commands and to seek him with our whole mind and whole heart. But to be a child of God is also to be a leader. We are charged to lead the way in pointing others to Jesus Christ and to encourage, exhort and enable those around us to be committed followers as well.
Every child of God has been gifted with skills and talents that are given so that we might serve the Lord and function perfectly in the building of his church. Not that we ourselves are perfect but only that we are willing to give of ourselves, our time and our talents and let the Lord use us as he may. In that sense we are servant leaders and we have been charged with a responsibility to take seriously our call and our work for God’s kingdom.
In 1 Chronicles chapter 28, King David was in the process of preparing his son Solomon to become the next king of Israel and to be the man to build God’s temple. His words were given to inspire Solomon as a leader and in the task to which he had been given and they are just as valuable and inspirational for us today as they were when they were given.
9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-19 (NASB)
Before any undertaking for the Lord we must be sure that we are in touch with God and that we are seeking for Him in everything that we do. The NASB translation phrases it as a “whole heart and a willing mind” and states that if we seek Him “He will let you find Him” meaning God wants us our attention and our focus and rewards it with his presence.
20 Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NASB)
David’s charge in both verse 10 and in verse 20 was to be “strong and courageous” and in verse 20 “and act”. In other words, Solomon (and we) are to be strong and take courage in God and then use that to fuel our actions and our will. Why? Because God is with us and will not forsake us and will see to it that our work and service for the Lord is finished.
David’s words to Solomon in this passage echo down through the ages and are given for the benefit of all servant leaders. What will be our response to God’s call and to the duties and responsibilities that he has entrusted to us?