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1 Chronicles 22:19

¹⁹Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD."

David had prepared the way for Solomon to reign in several ways. He had subdued the enemies of Israel. He asked the leaders to assist Solomon, and as we saw yesterday, he prepared everything for the building of the Temple. There was one last thing Solomon needed. David gave him the single most important thing he needed to reign, the instruction to devote his heart and soul to seeking the LORD. Unless that was done, all the other preparation would not help him.

If our heart's greatest desire is to know the LORD and His will, it is devoted to seeking the LORD. That comes about only when we value the things of God more highly than the things of the world. It is always an exercise in faith, for it is the desire for the unseen over the visible. David asked Solomon to set his compass toward the LORD.

The second great burden on David's heart was to see the temple built, so he charged Solomon to get started. Once the temple was built, the Ark of the Covenant could be placed along with the sacred articles. The presence of God would fill the temple, and the people's hearts would turn toward the LORD.

Every group of worshipers needs the same. They need leadership who have devoted their hearts to seeking the LORD. Since they are the temple, they need the presence of God within. They need the tools (gifts and abilities), with which to carry out that which God would direct, to be placed in the hands of those who are directed to use them.

Consider: Are all of those elements in place in those with whom you worship? If not, how can you work toward that end?