This morning I was reminded of a pretty big deal, let others know to serve the LORD with the whole heart. The context came from “David’s Charge to Solomon” (title of the passage in my ESV Bible).

“⁹And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. ¹⁰Be careful now for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (ESV)

Here we see David speaking to Solomon in front of all the officials of Israel. He had been announcing to them that a house for the LORD was to be built, but not by him but that Solomon had been chosen by God to do so. And here David is charging Solomon to that which the LORD has chosen him to do. Yet, he is also charging Solomon to do so with full service to the LORD from the heart.

I was reminded strongly that it is important to physically tell others to love and serve the LORD from the heart and not just expect that they will pick it up on their own somewhere. As a parent, when we want something accomplished a certain way or in a certain time, it is important to speak it plainly so there is no questions as to what to do. This is also important with service and love of the LORD. We should be speaking it plainly. Love the LORD with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.

David announced to Solomon that he should proceed with the building of the Temple from his heart. He should work to serve the LORD and not his own agenda. And, David is speaking this command in front of many witnesses. He is not shying away from speaking it, he is deliberate and pointed in the delivery to ensure that Solomon is aware and understands the assignment.

I may have missed the mark on this. Where I was not young when I became a father, and I had been a follower of Christ for a good number of years, I was not mature in Christ by any means. I may have not spoken to my boys as David does to Solomon here.

But, I did have brothers in Christ who were examples of David in this sense and over the past 15 years I have grown in my Christlike maturity to more of an example. I still have a long way to go, but I am more bold today and heed the actions of David with Solomon and lead more deliberately and vocally to ensure that others (including but not limited to my sons) should know and love and serve the LORD with all their heart.

What are you speaking out about loving and serving the LORD? Are you expecting others to learn on their own somehow? What if you were to speak plainly with others as David does with Solomon to love and serve the LORD with all their heart?