Connect360: Passing the Torch

  |  Source: BaptistWay Press

Lesson 2 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom” focuses on 1 Chronicles 28:11-21.

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  • Lesson 2 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom” focuses on 1 Chronicles 28:11-21.

After David gave out the blueprint of the Temple, he gave Solomon the do’s and don’ts of leadership. He encouraged Solomon by commanding him to be strong and courageous and to complete the work because God always will be there.

As a kid, I was always fascinated by echoes. An echo is a sound that is repeated because it is reflected back. The direction of the sound changes but the sound is the same. What we have in this verse is an echo. Even though the sound is in a different time and a different context the sound is the same. It sounds like the same thing God told Joshua. Do you remember the words?

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (Joshua 1:6-7, NKJV).

David’s word to Solomon echoes God’s word to Joshua. Both Joshua and Solomon were chosen by God to do a task for God. Both were successors of great men; Joshua succeeded Moses and Solomon succeeded David. The assigned task needed to be approached with strength and courage. David gives Solomon some “don’ts.” He tells his son do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.

We as believers often enter into the task of God with fear. The task and responsibility can sometimes be daunting and often overwhelming. We fear we are not equipped. We wonder how we are going to accomplish it. We fear that we may not be qualified or adequate. The responsibility before us can be discouraging as well. The plan may not work as we planned. The people who we got involved will get discouraged and quit and this can be extremely discouraging to us, but the words of David are an encouragement to us. David gives Solomon these commands, which are not easy to follow until the reason these commands can be obeyed is given. David promises God’s presence throughout the entire process.

God with us

We do not have to rely on our own power because God’s power is with us. We are not by ourselves because God is present with us. David reemphasizes the fact that God will be present by stating that God will not leave us nor forsake us. Notice that there is a preposition toward the end of this verse (1 Chronicles 28:20). The English word is “until.” The Hebrew preposition carries with it the same idea but can also be translated “while.” Both words have to deal with the duration of the task. There are going to be times that there is a temptation to quit or get discouraged during the process. In fact, there may be pain in the process of doing what God has asked.

For the New Testament believer, we must never lose faith in Jesus because the same promise that was given to Solomon is the same promise Jesus gives to us. He lets us know that as we are doing the work he has asked us to do, Christ will be with us “until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We can endure the pain and the disappointments during the process when we know we have God’s power. We can rest assured God will be present until the task is completed.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.


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