In 1 Chronicles, David wanted to demonstrate his love for the Lord. This love was so deep and so real that it created a drive for him to do something. He knew that he could not build the temple, but he wanted to DO something! So, he started a fundraising effort for the construction. His hope was that others shared his love for the Lord, and they would be driven to do something, and give.
1 Chronicles 29:5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
Those that loved the Lord rejoiced at the opportunity to have a part in this project.
1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
| Willingness is not the same thing as actually doing something. It produces no fruit. |
The people had a love for the Lord and that created a willing heart to do something. In this passage I noticed that they did not stall-out at being willing, they matched willingness with action. “With a perfect heart, they offered willingly to the LORD.” Sometimes, I think we make willingness the end goal of our obedience to God’s direction, but it is not the same as actually doing something.
In my conversation with the Lord, He used this passage to show me that I need to take my willingness to the next level and actually do something with it. Willingness produces no fruit, and willingness accomplishes nothing. I will ask you the same question that I felt the Lord asking me: Why have you stalled-out? When are you going to turn your willingness into action?
As I continued by conversation with the Lord, I had to admit that in a particular area of my life I have truly taken no action! I am willing – very willing. But when I consider starting, thoughts about what others will think, worry about criticism consumed my ability to take action. All of my thoughts were serving only to keep me from action. In this situation, my desire to please others had crippled me from pleasing my Lord. I need to take action. I need to be strong and do it.
1 Chronicles 28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
Worrying about what others will think, or what they will do in response to my effort serves no purpose. It is something that the Lord has given me to do. I love Him. I am willing, and so I can take these elements and convert them into ACTION.
As I continued with my Bible reading the Lord showed me a few more verses related to taking action.
Psalms 134:1-2 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
When I read this verse, I imagined two types of Christians sitting in a church service. One type was willing to sit in the room and observe the activity. This Christian listens to the message. She is a compliant, and willing participant. However, another type of Christian is actively involved in the message. She is loving the Lord and lifting up her hands in praise! She is actively making application from the message. She is not just willing to praise the Lord, she is doing it!
Again, the Lord gave me another verse that spoke about doing and being active in service.
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
The Lord has been gentle and faithful to show me things I need to do in my life. I should not stop at considering these changes, I need to walk in them. I need to implement the things the Lord has shown me and do them. So, what is keeping you from taking action?
Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Oh, how this verse hit home! If the Lord has something that He has given us to do, we have to actually perform that action. However, so many times we get caught up in the planning, or fear stops us in our tracks and we never arrive at the point of actually doing. This leads to penury – poverty. No result. No profit.
Who then is willing? We need to be doing. Stop planning, stop waiting… just do it.
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
This instruction in the Bible were the words from David to his son, Solomon. However, I read them as God’s words to me, and they are God’s words to you.
“_________(insert your name), be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for I am with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. I will be with you until you have finished the work that I have given you to do.”
Related Bible Passages:
1 Chronicles 29
Psalm 134
Proverbs 14
2 John
Have a face to face conversation with your Lord:
Lord, what have you given me to do?
Lord, what gets in my way of doing what you have given me to do?
Lord, is there something that I am loving more than loving you?
Lord, thank you for giving me something to do for you. Thank you for knowing my strengths and weaknesses. Lord, help me to take action and do this thing for you.
If you are interested in having a collection of these devotional conversations, consider purchasing the books. They are available from Amazon by clicking here.
Glory, Strength, & Beauty 