Under the leadership of God, the Israelites were very organized and orderly in what they did. God knows that things tend to deteriorate without someone in charge. We read that everything was covered--nothing was left to chance--someone was put in charge of overseeing everything that was involved.
Although God did not allow King David to build "a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord", God chose David to be "king over Israel forever" (also, see today's reading in Psalm 78:70). He chose Judah out of the 12 tribes of Israel "to be the ruler" (see Psalm 78:68, also). God chose Solomon, David's son, to be the one who would build His temple--His house and His courts. However, David was allowed the privilege of drawing up the plans and he gave them to Solomon. The Bible tells us in I Chronicles 28:12 &19, that these plans were "by the Spirit".
God encouraged Solomon "to know the God of your father, and serve Him with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts". God told Solomon if he sought God he would find Him, but if he forsook God he would be cast off forever. The fact that God not only knows our thoughts, but understands our intent should probably make us a little nervous. Considering the intent of our thoughts will no doubt reveal our carnal human nature. We strive to live as the new creation in Christ, yet we will do battle with our flesh until we receive our new body. (Our battle is with the world (I John 2:15-17), the flesh (Romans 12:1-2), and the devil (Ephesians 6:11--that is why we are told to "put on the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6.)
God was specific in what He wanted the temple to look like and what it would contain just as He gave dimensions and details regarding the portable tabernacle in the wilderness. Even so, we don't have to "guess" at the lifestyle God desires for us. He has laid it out clearly in His word. We are not capable of reaching God's standard on our own; we were conceived in sin and it takes something from the spiritual realm to save our lives from the consequences of sin. That, of course, is the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ that paid for our sins!
It's amazing to me how one subject surfaces in the Bible readings for the day in different books. The fact that God chose David and Judah was mentioned in I Chronicles and in our reading in Psalms. The subject of "integrity" is mentioned in Psalm 78:72, as well as in Proverbs 20:7. The subject is also alluded to in Acts 10:35, "In every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted of Him". Dr. Stanley comments on Proverbs 20:7, by saying, "It would be hard to think of a greater legacy to leave behind than a personal record of godly integrity. Those who develop sound moral character bless their children with a gift that lasts for generations".
The benefits of serving God are innumerable! After considering these verses today, I want to be more committed to examining the intent of my thoughts closely and to strive for purity of thought. Unfortunately, I can plan on doing this for the rest of my life. Is this not discouraging or overwhelming? Not really, because I will be depending on God to help me. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and He enables us to rise to a spiritual challenge such as this with wings as an eagle. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). It's a wonderful experience to walk with God--with integrity!
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