1 Chronicles 28:9: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”

September 16th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

David realized his son Solomon was inexperienced and had much to learn if he was to successfully rule over Israel. He needed knowledge of how to manage the complex affairs of state, but, even more, he needed knowledge of God. So David counseled his son to become familiar with, come to know, God; and to serve Him with a loyal, or literally, a perfect heart and a willing mind. The same it true for us. Jesus said in Matthew, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (22:37). We need to be willing to “do the work” God has appointed us to do, whole-heartedly and with a willing mind.

Every task involved in serving the kingdom of God requires someone who is willing to use the gifts God has given them. Notice the thrilling promise David shared with Solomon; a promise that has all the force of heaven behind it: “If you seek Him, He will be found.” The promise is that we will find God if we will spend time seeking Him. Other verses echo this truth. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isa. 55:6).

David left a hint imbedded in the Psalms of the best way to seek God: “Be still, and know that I am God” (46:10). Becoming quiet or still is always a prerequisite for receptivity. Cell phone or radio cannot receive messages when they are filled with static and noise. David tells us to first practice stillness and then listen. The order can’t be reversed; if we try to, we will not be able to hear Him.

“LORD, we quiet ourselves before You now. Please speak as Your servants are still before You.”