Handing Down the Faith

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

1 Chr. 28:4-10; Hos. 6:3; Acts 17:27; 3 Jn. 4

What Is God Saying?

David was near the end of his long reign. He is getting ready to pass on the responsibility of leadership to Solomon, and he shares his deepest thoughts with him in verses 4 through 10. They are the words of a conscientious father to a promising son, and they can be the substance of a heartfelt message from any parent who wants the best for their children. David's words to Solomon foreshadow John's words near the end of his life, "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).

How Does This Apply To Us?

O Lord, let there be nothing in me that would keep others, especially those who are younger, from knowing you and serving you. Our example of knowing God is the best thing we can pass on to those who come after us; it is of supreme importance that it comes to them without blemish, breakage, or loss. What do they see in our lives that makes knowing God the most attractive item on the agenda, the most important treasure in the inventory? Is our reflection of God blurred or distorted? Do our children ever sense that knowing our God and serving him with a whole heart and mind wasn't really all that important to us? The true reflection of God's love and goodness to our children should be highest on our list of priorities.

Pray With Me

My God, I thank you for the knowledge of your love, which can come to us because those who went before served you with a “whole heart and a willing mind.” Help me see how I can be a link in the chain. Lord, I want to turn to my children, to anyone who looks to me as a parent, and say without embarrassment, know my God. May they want to know you because they see that knowing God was worthwhile for me. May they want to know you because knowing you brought meaning into my life.

If there is disobedience or doubt that would keep me from the service of a whole heart and a willing mind, remove it. Remove it now and forever. If there is a crack in my devotion to you, heal it by the touch of your transforming grace.

For the sake of Him who has made God the Father perfectly known and whose own life inspires the service of the whole heart and the willing mind, even Christ my Lord. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

We must pray about how our lives affect the most valuable earthly gifts that God has given us: our children and those who depend on us. This alone will keep us moving forward in the life of prayer.