Sunday Meditation with Mike

This morning as I sit at the breakfast table looking at my 4 month old son in his rocker, I am reminded of I Chronicles 22:8-9 where King David is giving final words of advice and instruction to his son, Solomon, before passing on the crown to him.  In verse 8 we read;

“But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.”

David could not be allowed to build the temple because he had blood on his hands.  This wasn’t David’s fault, God had called David to be a warrior for him, and needed everything about his temple to be pure.  The part of this passage that really struck me, however, was verse 9;

“Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.”

David was the perfect example of a Godly warrior.  He spent his life fighting off Israel’s enemies, putting down coups, and establishing order in Israel to ensure safety and stability in the foreseeable future.  His reign was known as a time of great trial, struggle, and victory for Israel, while his son Solomon’s reign was one of wealth, peace, and prosperity.  In short, God had made David a man of war so that his son could be “a man of rest.”

Looking down at my young son, I pray that God has a similar arrangement for me and my house.  It is clear to anyone paying attention that there is a time of great strife looming, the only question is exactly when the match will be struck to light the powder keg.  Whenever it comes, whatever form it comes in, I pray that it may be resolved in my time with my blood, so that my son may live a life of peace and prosperity.

I pray that I, like David, may be a man of war, so that my son may be a man of rest.