In I Chronicles 28, King David was preparing to transfer power to his son Solomon. He instructed Solomon in the art of leadership and the special challenges of ruling over God's people. His most important piece of advice can be found in verse 9: "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought.
From a biblical perspective, the purpose of life is not to accomplish our objectives. We were given life so that we could know God and bring Him glory. Marriage is a gift that can help us achieve that purpose.
Yet in the routine struggles of life, we spend more energy maintaining our jobs, completing household chores, and raising children than we do bringing glory to God. However, these very things, if done with the right spirit, do honor God. No matter how mundane a task seems, it can be an act of worship if you allow it to be. As you serve your family, you are serving God.
Take time to pray and spend time in worship. Praise God for His perfection, holiness, grace, and countless other attributes. Thank Him for the blessings He's given your family. Ask Him to help you maintain a sense of worship in everything you do.
Reflect on these questions:
Why do you often put your needs and wants ahead of honoring God?
How can you tell if you are truly bringing honor to God?
What are specific ways you can bring glory to God this week at home, in your workplace, or your community?
Consider these passages for further study on Priorities:
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
I Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I Chronicles 28:8-10
“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.
9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”
Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. One to always check to see if your priorities are straight in all you do.