1 Chronicles 29:1-20
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
"Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" -1 Chronicles 29:5
In our reading, David has almost come to the end of his reign. He had the desire in his heart to build the temple of God but God chose his son Solomon instead to fulfill the task. David decided to do all in his capacity to help fulfil the building of God’s temple. He gathered gold, silver, and precious stones in abundance. We see the great zeal and passion he had for the House of God - he was truly a man after God’s own heart. David then confronts his people with a challenge, calling them to make a choice that must lead to change.
David challenged his people and they gladly made the choice of offering their gold, silver and precious stones to the work of building the temple. True Christian living and discipleship involves making voluntary choices in our daily lives, choices that involves sacrifices, giving up the some of our comforts of life, making effective use of the time we are given here on earth, offering our very selves to the will and purpose of God. God loves a cheerful giver. It includes our time, our talents, and resources- all that we have. Have we made the choice of following the Lord truly and joyfully?
David puts forward the challenge, “Who then” is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord? Consecration is separation from common and profane (worldly) use to a sacred (godly) use, by which a person is dedicated to the worship and service of God. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to come with me, you must deny yourself, carry your cross and follow me.”(Matt.16:24). True disciples of Christ are called to lead lives consecrated to His service. Are we willing to take up the challenge today? Are we ready to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him?
The world with all its pleasures and entertainments, ambitions and anxieties has been a challenge for a total consecration to the Lord and His work, even to this day. We are called to abide in Him and bear fruit, fruit that endures. Are we being changed into His own likeness every day of our life? Let God change us inwardly by a transformation of our minds.
"Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day?" Let us take up the challenge. Decide today whom you will serve. May we be able to say just as Joshua did, “As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) We too are in the process of building our lives. Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. Let us ensure that we are truly consecrated for the Lord and everything we are proved to be gold, silver and precious stones at His Second Coming.
To Meditate: “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”
(1 Cor.3:13)