Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it. (1 Chr 28:10)
As King David saw his dream of building the temple would not come true, he passed it on to his son Solomon. David had asked to build a temple for God (2 Sam 7), but God denied his request because David had shed too much blood as a warrior. But God allowed David to make the plans and preparations for the temple. David bought the land for the temple, gathered most of the construction materials, and received the building plans from God. It was Solomon’s responsibility to make these plans a reality. Solomon’s job was made easier by his father’s exhaustive preparations.
King David not only passed on the torch of building the temple to his son Solomon, but he also gave Solomon principles to guide him through life.
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. (1 Chr 28:9)
Christian parents want to teach their children the same principles. The foremost principle is to know God personally. Few men/women in the Bible were as close to God as David was. His daily contact with God gave him deep reverence for worship and the desire to build God’s temple. David’s life shows us the importance of staying close to God – through studying and obeying His word and communicating with Him daily. The next principles are to worship God with wholehearted devotion, and to serve God with a willing mind, as He knows every motive. God sees and understands everything in our hearts. Seek Him and He will be found.
God’s work can move forward when the older generation paves the way for the younger one. Many years ago, my grandmother planted the initial seeds at my hometown; my mother and others followed on, and many of God’s workers continued planting and watering. God made it grow and now my hometown church is flourishing with hundreds of members. May our faith and holy work be passed on generation after generation around the globe.