The house of the LORD
David greatly esteemed the work of building the temple. This stemmed from David’s understanding of who God was.
The temple was to be built for the LORD God (1 Chron 29:1). The creator of all things, perfect in all things, and reigning above all things.
When we are told that we have to work on a big project for the CEO of our company, we naturally understand that this isn’t a project that can be done haphazardly. We would put in more hours, check every detail closely, and refine our work until we feel confident that the work is worthy of being presented to the CEO.
Likewise, any God-fearing individual who is told that they are tasked to build the temple for the LORD God would feel a similar sense of duty. It was a task that had to be done well and there was no room for cutting corners or shoddy work.
Today, we are also tasked to build the temple– that is the church.
Do we, like David, know and recognise who we are working for?
No matter what work we do to build the church, we must remember that we are working for the almighty, sovereign LORD God. If so, then regardless of the nature of our work, we will do it wholeheartedly and in reverence.
The house of my God
Beyond seeing the work as to be done for the almighty God sovereign above mankind, David saw the work of building the temple as an expression of his sincere love for his God.
Unlike his musing in the psalms where he refers to the temple as “the house of the LORD”(Ps 23:6, 27:4, 122:1), this time, David repeatedly refers to the temple as “the house of my God” (1 Chron 29:2-3).
David never forgot the God who called him and led through his many arduous years of kingship. In the final years of his reign David continued to “set [his] affection on the house of [his] God” (1 Chron 29:3) and offered “over and above all that [he had] prepared for the holy house, [his] own special treasure of gold and silver” (1 Chron 29:3).
In his final years, no one would have batted an eye if David decided to take a step back and let Solomon take over the work of building the temple. David was an old man. He had done much for his country. He had faithfully obeyed the Lord’s commandments through the days of his life. David could have lived out the rest of his days in comfort and leisure.
Yet, his love for God continued to burn within him. Thus in his old age, his desire for the house of the Lord remained as strong (Ps 23:6, 27:4, 122:1).
David’s love for the house of God should prompt us to reflect on our own love for the church.
Amidst the many fun, comfortable, and magnificent places that the world boasts of today, let us learn to set our affections not on the world but on the church of God.
This isn’t an easy task. Especially when at times, loving the church more than the world may mean that we have to give up some leisures and comforts in our already busy lives.
So how can we grow to be like David to love the house of God with all our heart?
Remembering and treasuring God’s grace
Looking at David’s speech in 1 Chron 29:10-15, we can gain an insight to the core motivation of David’s love for God’s house.
“Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.” (1 Chron 29:12)
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope.” (1 Chron 29:14-15)
It is clear that David was starkly cognizant of God’s almightiness and how much higher He is compared to man.
At the same time, David humbly acknowledged that all the power, strength, riches and honor he had was not attained by his own might. David knew that all these good things came from God’s love and mercy towards him and his people.
When we ourselves reflect on how insignificant we as humans are compared to God and the many blessings and good things God still chooses to bestow upon us, we see that the love of God towards us is truly abundant and great!
And it is when we are moved by the great love of God that we can grow to love God and His house with all our hearts (2 Cor 5:14-15).
Reflection questions
In my church work, do I remember that I am serving the LORD God, sovereign over all?
Have I loved the church and placed my affections on it?
In what ways has God loved and blessed me in my life?
Have I truly given thanks and been moved by God’s love to serve Him more earnestly?
