“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.” – 2 Chronicles 6:7
Have you ever wondered why King David was so consumed with the desire to build the temple of God? It was because David’s heart longed to abide with God. In every season of his life, David continually pursued the presence of the LORD. Even in his moments of falling short, there was one thing that terrified him above all else, and that was being separated from the presence of God.
When David was in the peaks of battle, battles that God Himself appointed him to fight in order to protect His people, David never relied on his own strength. Before he ever stepped onto the battlefield, he always inquired of the LORD. He did not move without first seeking God’s will. Out of those moments came the psalms, songs written from caves, from conflict, from fear, and from victory. Yet in every word, David revealed his dependence and reliance upon God.
Even when David entered a season of rest and comfort, his heart did not drift. Though his circumstances changed, his devotion remained the same. When life became easy, David did not forget his God, nor did he lift himself up as many others had done. Instead, David spoke to Nathan the prophet and said, “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.”” (II Samuel 7:1-2) How many of us can recognize how blessed we are, yet never stop to consider that we may be neglecting the house of God, the very place where we first encountered Him and learned His ways?
The temple of God is the place where we gather to be built up by the Word of God and where we are first drawn into deeper and more intimate fellowship with Him. There is no other place on earth where we hear the Word of God taught and are given the opportunity to practice the love and mercy He has commanded us to walk in. Yet too often, when we enter seasons of rest and comfort, we forget. But David teaches us that a heart that truly longs for God does not grow careless in times of ease. Instead, it grows closer to Him.
Now Solomon, David’s own son, testified before all Israel when the temple was finally completed, saying, Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.” Solomon and all the people of Israel knew how deeply David desired to build a house for the LORD. That even at the time of his departure, David’s final words were not centered on his family, his inheritance, or his own legacy, saying,
“Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death. Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; (I Chronicles 22:5-7)
Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them. Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.”
David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.”” (I Chronicles 22: 14-19)
Here we clearly see what truly mattered to King David. In his final charge to Solomon and to the leaders of Israel, David was not focused on making the nation stronger, wealthier, or more successful. His greatest concern was that a temple would be built for the name of the LORD. David wanted his people to live close to God, and he desired for the presence of God to dwell among them.
Solomon’s words reveal what his father valued most. David was not consumed with the things he achieved in this world, because he knew that everything he accomplished came from the LORD. What David wanted to leave behind for his family and for his nation was not riches or power, but the house of God, a place that would bear the name of the LORD. David understood that a nation becomes truly strong, rich, and secure when God Himself dwells in the midst of His people.
David understood that nothing is greater for a nation or for a family than to seek the presence of God every day. He knew that God lives among His people and that God Himself is the greatest treasure we could ever have. David wanted his nation to be known by the name of the LORD, because there is no greater honor than to belong to the one true God and to live as a people who serve and worship Him.
So the question remains for us. Where do we want our families to be identified? With the things of this world, or with the name of the LORD Jesus Christ? We are called Christians, which means we belong to Christ. We bear the name of the LORD Jesus Christ, and that name is found only in Him. Our identity is not rooted in this world, but in the LORD Jesus Christ, who has called us by His name. As the LORD Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) What we treasure will always show where our hearts truly belong.
Consider this question: where are we investing our time, our talents, and our treasures? King David spent his strength preparing for the building of God’s temple. His priorities were always centered on the LORD. David’s treasure was not found on earth, but in heaven. This is why he could say, “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.” (Psalm 16:5) David understood that God Himself was his greatest possession. He also declared, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” (Psalm 73:25,) For David, the LORD was his inheritance and his portion forever.
How about you? What does your heart truly desire? Is it God or the things of this world? King David had only one true desire, and that desire was God. He said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” David understood that when we live for God, His goodness follows us. He also declared, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6) David lived with this hope and this desire. Do you have the same desire?
So again, we must ask ourselves: what are we building here on earth? Are we investing in what will pass away or in what will stand before God? Are we giving our best years, our strongest efforts, and our deepest devotion to temporary things or to the eternal kingdom of God? Where is your heart truly set? Is it the LORD Jesus Christ, or is it the world?
For Scripture reminds us, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17,)
What is happening to us as modern Christians? Many of us say we love God, yet we have quietly replaced the house of God with our own understanding of faith. We often say, “I can worship God anywhere,” and while that is true in our personal walk with Him, we were not created to live our faith alone. We were created for community. Scripture never uses personal devotion as an excuse to neglect fellowship. Instead, the Word of God warns us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Many Christians today have shaped their faith around convenience rather than obedience. We want God on our terms, in our timing, and in our own way. But Scripture reminds us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) Now consider King David. David spent the strength of his life preparing for the temple of God, even though he knew he would never build it himself. The Bible tells us, “So David prepared abundantly before his death.” (1 Chronicles 22:5) Yet today, many of us struggle to give even one hour to the house of God.
Yet today, many believers treat church as optional rather than essential. The church is not just a building. It is the place where we are taught, corrected, strengthened, and formed. Scripture tells us, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints.” (Ephesians 4:11–12) When we separate ourselves from fellowship, we become vulnerable. The Bible warns us, “Woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10) Isolation often leads to pride, and pride opens the door to spiritual weakness. Scripture also warns us to stay alert: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) When believers stand alone, distracted and disconnected, they become easy targets for deception. This is why God designed the church as a body, not as individuals living in isolation. As Scripture says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” (1 Corinthians 12:18) Strength, growth, and protection are found when we remain connected to the body of Christ.
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