· 29:17: David knew that God tests the heart. Quite often, this testing of the heart comes in the arena of money and possessions. It’s an arena where we all are engaged day after day. Are we greedy or generous? Are we tight-fisted with the poor or compassionate? Is our trust in mammon or God? David knows this, that “my God” does this. God knows the heart of every one of us; but quite often we don’t know our own hearts, or are unwilling to acknowledge what is there. So God reveals our hearts through these tests for our benefit. Simeon said the same thing about Jesus in Luke 2:34-35: the sinless life, powerful words and ministry of Jesus reveal hearts.
·
29:17: David knew that God took pleasure in
uprightness. Many people view God as
mean, always angry, and so forth. This
is blasphemous. God’s anger is always
just and righteous. And God is clear in
Scripture telling us what brings Him pleasure.
Is this not what we, His creation, must have? We know we are created. We know we must seek out the Creator to find
out what He desires of us. Unlike the “gods”
of man’s making, who are themselves subject to whims and emotions and the
foolish shenanigans of other “gods,” our God gives us a clear answer. He takes pleasure in uprightness! And when our conscience says we have
displeased Him, He graciously says, “You can be forgiven, but in only one way:
through faith in My Son who gave His life on the cross for you.”
·
29:17: David knew joy in the uprightness of
others. Think about this; it is a
special thing. Do we rejoice when others
obey the Lord, when others are used of God in special ways? Or is there a tinge of jealousy? “I could do that; it’s no big deal.” “I’m better than that; I’ve done that before.” When’s the last time you thanked God for some
ordinary fellow-believer in your circle of fellowship? When’s the last time you told them of the joy
they bring to your heart?
·
29:19: David knew that God, and God alone,
could establish his legacy. David made
generous provision for Solomon to complete the great work of building a house
for the Lord. But only God could give
Solomon a loyal heart. Once David was gone,
Solomon could take all the money to himself.
So, David committed his legacy to the Lord. May I recommend some additional reading on
this subject? It’s a Song of the Sons of
Korah, Psalm 71. It’s a song about legacy
and it speaks quite directly as to the idiocy of thinking people will remember
you fondly and regularly for years after you are gone. To pique your interest we will close these
three posts on things David knew with this prayer:
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake
me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone
who is to come. (Ps. 71:18)
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