No time to read? Feel free to listen as I read this devotion! Just press play above. ^ This week’s article, as always, is also available for listening wherever you get your Podcasts. Just search for ‘Light in the Margins’.
This week, I invite you to think back to elementary school. Did your teacher ever assign “classroom jobs”? Each week, a new student would be chosen for a special duty like holding the door, being first in line, or leading pledges.
As a Sunday school teacher, I work with girls in first and second grade, and I’d like to share our lesson from this past Sunday.
In 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, we learned about David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord.
In 2 Samuel 6, David succeeds in gloriously returning the ark of the covenant to the tabernacle in the city of David. In the next chapter, we see David sitting in his house, peacefully enjoying the great gifts of God. Looking around at his cedar-walled house, a great idea comes to the King. He tells the prophet Nathan—“I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.” (7:2) In essence, ‘God deserves better than a tent, and I want to build Him a house.’
Nathan’s response is encouraging— “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee,” he says. Sounds like a great idea to me, King. You’ve been blessed of God, clearly He is with you.
In 1 Chronicles 21, we learn the preparations and sacrifices David made for the temple—purchasing the place of the threshingfloor of Ornan. Ornan tells David “Take it to thee”—basically offering the land to David for free—and David replies “Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price” (21:24). As the account is given in 2 Samuel 24, David says in verse 24: “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” Not willing to take favors or handouts, David insisted that he pay the actual price for the ground.
David made great plans. The first few verses of 1 Chronicles 22 outlines how he gathered stones, iron, brass, and trees. He was invested in the details of this temple, down to the nails.
And as you read all the preparations, it may sound like David was planning to build the temple himself.
But there’s one little detail that I’ve left out.
David’s plan was rejected by God.
After David tells Nathan of his desire, after Nathan confirms ‘do all that is in thine heart’—that night, God spoke to Nathan. And through His prophet, God told David—you aren’t going to build that temple, your son will.
And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.— 1 Chronicles 17:11-12
It’s a great idea, David; but no, that’s not My plan.
It’s a familiar tension. We want to do the big things, don’t we?
I asked my Sunday school girls, what’s the classroom job you most want to have in school? Almost everyone said line leader. When I asked what’s the least favorite job, cleaning desks, sweeping, and straightening up toy bins were among the less desirable tasks.
One assignment gets the attention. The others are quiet and tedious.
As I was teaching, my own heart was convicted as I thought about their responses. We can all just be little girls at heart sometimes, can’t we? I still want to be the ‘line leader’. In a grown-up context I mean, there are times I want to be in charge. I want to be the one with the next Big Idea. I want to be the one informing—not the one being informed. ‘Look at me, I’m first. Follow me.’
Of course, I don’t want to imply that we shouldn’t have ambitions or goals. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn't strive to be first. The Bible encourages us to work hard. God values excellence and wholehearted service.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; —Colossians 3:23
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; —Ecclesiastes 9:10a
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. —1 Corinthians 9:24
The danger comes not in the ambition or ‘big ideas’. The danger comes when we are not yielded to God’s will in humility.
As I told my students, there’s nothing wrong with desiring to be the line leader. The question is, what do you do when you aren’t chosen? What is your response when you are asked to serve a ‘lesser’ role? When you’re asked to do the less glamorous work of sweeping the floor or wiping down desks?
When children don’t get the job they want, they might pout or be upset. They may take it as a personal rejection that the teacher chose someone else. But as grown ups we know the teacher is just trying to be fair, and trying to give each child a turn. We trust the teacher has a plan and a reason.
David’s ambitious desire was rejected by God, not because it was evil, but simply because God had a different plan.
David’s response is instructive to us. He did not get angry. He didn’t stop serving God. He didn’t say ‘forget it—if my name isn’t on the building, I won’t help my son build it. If I won’t even get to see the temple, I’m not going to sacrifice and give and work to gather the land and materials for it.’
David was able to accept God’s plan because He loved God. He trusted that His plan was better. He was satisfied to do whatever God would allow him—even if it wasn’t what he initially desired. He was willing to work sacrificially even if it meant someone else would get the glory in his stead.
In turn, David taught Solomon the value of knowing God and serving Him.
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. —1 Chronicles 28:9-10
And here is the remarkable thing—David’s ambitious desire pleased the Lord. Even though Solomon was chosen to build the temple, he stated, “the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.” (1 Kings 8:18)
Even though David wasn’t to build the temple, God told him, ‘you did good’ just for having the desire in his heart. I’m so thankful for that encouragement. Even though I may not get to live out my dreams or desires to do something great for God, it seems to please Him that it’s simply in my heart. That is enough for me to be satisfied.
So what do we do when our good, godly aspirations don’t seem to line up with God’s plan?
We keep serving Him. Even if it takes work. Even if it costs us something, as the threshing floor cost David. Even if it requires us to humble ourselves.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. —Psalm 37:4, 5
Good desire, given God’s way. Learning that it isn’t about you, your accomplishments or your abilities. It’s about being a willing vessel, trusting God’s plan.
Even if that means it would be better for me to sweep the floor in obedience than lead a line in my own strength.
If this was a blessing, I would be honored if you would share it with a friend!
