This is a picture of a note on my desk. I have had it for years and see it every day. I do not recall if I outlined the verse myself of if it was from a note I made from someone else. The note is on 1 Chronicles 28:9 as David is charging Solomon to lead God’s people, “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.”

I read that as the son of a church elder, as a father whose son is a young adult planning to leave the nest, and as a minister who stands before the greatest people on earth – God’s people – each week and points them toward obedience to God in Christ. I think I would share this outline with ministers, elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, parents, ministry leaders, and just about every Christian I know. This verse reminds us of who we are and whom God is. It reminds us to be God focused and not self-focused. Here is what David lays out as his charge:

• Know God
• Have a heart and a mind willing to follow God
• Know that God searches our hearts
• Know that God understands the intent of our thoughts.
• Seek God and He will be found.
• Forsake God and you will be cut off.

I let you develop each point, but as one Bible Instructor at Faulkner used to say, “Boys, that’ll preach!”

– Scott