Week 19: Drive
Weekly Chapters:
I Chronicles 19 -
II Chronicles 10
Passage of the Week:
I Chronicles 28:20
Adjective:
1. Being under compulsion to succeed or excel
2. Controlled or propelled by something
Thesaurus:
· Directed
· Induced
· Forced
· Motivated
· Guided
· Obsessed
· Impelled or compelled
Father God,
Thank You for giving me an internal drive. Help me find it when I am weak; let me use that internal drive for Your glory. As I read this week, guide me toward Your messages for my life.
Amen
Authentic vulnerability:
Driven, obsessed, compelled, motivated – that spark inside that pushes you to keep going. We all have it, and it manifests in different ways to each person.
That push you feel to do one more sit-up or push that you feel to finish a project are all signs of your drive.
Have you ever been called a Type A or know someone whom you call a Type A? Have you ever known someone who never seems to give up, like the Energizer Bunny that just keeps going and going and going? This person is driven.
Think of a time in your life when you were all in towards a goal. It may have been singular, or you may have had a cheering section encouraging you to keep going toward your goal.
Think of this as you read this week's chapters.
What is your Authentic Truth?
Study:
In the chapters this week, we see the passing of the reign from David to his son Solomon under God's guidance. David works to set up Solomon for success, as does God.
David communicates to his people that God has commanded Solomon to succeed David as king (II Chronicles 28). In this, David desired to build a temple for the Lord, but God said that he would not be the one to build a temple because of his battles and bloodshed.
David further prepares Solomon in advance of his reign by gathering the supplies needed for Solomon to build the temple. David creates a census of the non-Israelites, as they were used for the labor. David provides the layout of the temple and all the requirements. David is driven to set up Solomon to succeed as he wanted to build the temple himself. Since he could not, David did all the preparation to create a temple, the home for the ark and the Lord.
David begins to prepare Solomon (I Chronicles 28:9–10). David sat Solomon down to talk to him about the importance of learning from the past and studying the God of his ancestors. David tells Solomon to worship God, know God intimately, open his heart and mind to God because the Lord sees every thought and desire. David further tells Solomon to seek God and he will find Him, but reject Him and He will leave you. David cautions Solomon to take this seriously. And lastly, God chose Solomon to build the temple "Be strong and do the work."
After that, David shared his plans, and he continued to gather materials for the temple. Twice David told Solomon to "Be strong and do the work" (I Chronicles 28:10 and 20).
II Chronicles begins with Solomon's reign. Solomon's first act was to ask for wisdom in leading the people, which God freely grants.
Solomon starts to build the temple. As with any construction project, the time to build can be lengthy, but it took 28 years to build God's temple, 28 years!
In II Chronicles 8:16, Solomon's drive to "be strong and doing the work" compelled Solomon to make sure that all the work related to building the temple was carried out from foundation to its completion.
Sticking with something for 28 Years takes drive. Solomon must have had an internal fire to complete the temple, remaining motivated for 28 years. He was overseeing detail after detail, from the oxen under the Sea to the number of pomegranates on a column.
Solomon's drive to complete the Lord's house and celebrate God with significant sacrifices was rewarded by God's presence coming down to the temple.
Solomon stuck with it and did not compromise or take his foot off the gas; he was strong, and he did the work.
Father God,
Thank You for giving me the stories of Solomon and David as an example to stay the course, be strong, and do Your work. Continue to provide me with a heart for Your teachings. Thank You for blessing me and giving me drive.
Amen.
Homework:
Think back to a time when you were driven. Maybe it was so far back you can barely remember. Perhaps it was high school or some other long time ago. What did it feel like to be driven towards a goal? Think of the emotions that went through your mind, the number of times you felt like giving up (what were those feelings?) And what picked you up again. Finally, think about the feelings you had when you achieved your goal. Feel those feelings and journal about that time and those feelings.
