King David is about to leave the stage. The mighty warrior is now a feeble old man, and all the important people of his kingdom have been called together in Jerusalem to hear his last speech (v 1). We do not know how strong his voice was in 1 Chronicles 28, but the message was clear and memorable. David begins his speech by acknowledging to everyone that his own plans had not unfolded as originally intended. His idea was to build a house for God, but God had another idea. Because he was a warrior and not a man of peace, David’s dream would come true through the efforts of his son Solomon. Looking back over his own ancestry, David recognizes the gracious sovereignty of God in choosing Judah out of Israel, Jesse out of Judah, and himself, out of all the sons of Jesse. Now God has made known His pleasure by designating Solomon as the successor to David’s throne, and the one who would carry out the great work of temple-building. He too is a chosen son of God, accountable to divine law. So David urges the assembled leaders to support the new king by also following all the commandments of the LORD their God (v 2-8). By giving this bigger picture, David is helping all future generations know that when he is dust, God’s kingdom will not be in jeopardy. Even when twenty kings in succession have come and gone after him, when the kingdom of Israel is small and unimpressive as in the days of the Chronicler and his readers, still the LORD is in control, fulfilling His plans in His own way and time. As an omnipotent God oversees all things, He searches for those who will devote themselves to Him in wholehearted and willing service. Our efforts do matter! But the important thing is to make sure that our plans are aligned with God’s. You and I should know what it is the LORD has called us to build, so that we too might “be strong” and then go ahead “and do it” (v 9-10, cf v 20). The plans given to Solomon were remarkably specific, detailed by the hand of God Himself. These included, not only the temple blueprints, but an inventory of its furniture and utensils, along with assignments for its staff (v 11-19). God is equally concerned with the details of our lives, having numbered the very hairs of our head. His plan is real, and we are trained to discern it through meditation on His Word. Our plans may not be His. But it’s liberating, not restricting, to know that God is working out His will in our lives. Obedience to God’s plan enables us to live with confidence, unafraid of the future. He is with us always. Until our work is finished, He will not leave or forsake us (v 20-21). For further meditation: