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Scripture
1 Chronicles 17:23-24 (NIV) 23 "And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel's God!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

Observation
It has been fascinating to see the leadership abilities of David grow and evolve through these passages in 1 Chronicles. His journey in today's reading really hits home. David has experienced military victory after military victory. God has been his constant guide and source of strength. He's just about defeated everyone there is to defeat. He looks around, and has a thought that was well intended. He saw his own palace and compared to where the ark was being kept and said "OK, this isn't right..." His solution was to build a grand permanent home for the ark, a place of worship for all the people of Israel. God's response? Great idea, wrong generation. He told David that his house would be built by one of his sons, a man of peace, not a man of war. David's response is one of praise and gratitude for considering his family so worthy of such an honor.

Sounds like a neat story with a happy Disney-like ending. It would be very easy to keep reading and miss something really important about this scene. How many times do we come up with this great dream for how we are going to take the world for Christ? For some churches it is through building new buildings. Or it could be through a new program. We've seen God at work in our lives and ministries so powerfully that we just assume that he is going to use us to take the next mountain. But sometimes, that is not the case. Sometimes we who have fought the battles to bring health and growth back to the church are not the ones who will see the church rebuilt into its future glory. Sometimes God has chosen us to take the church to a point, and then hand it over to the next generation who have a fresh vision... and who are not carrying the battle scars and baggage of the days past. This can be true for church leaders and church members alike.

We can learn a lot from David's response. He could have argued with God. After all, he'd been the one to put his life out on the line time and time again to fight the battles and drive evil out of the land. He risked everything to bring peace and prosperity to his people. Now when it seemed that the final battle of this season was won, and the focus could turn to building God's kingdom, he was told that he would not be the one to lead that phase. That also meant he would not see it built or enjoy the fruits of having the project completed. Instead of arguing or being dejected, David rejoiced that those in his family who followed after him would be counted worthy of such an honor. "Do as you promised" was his response.

Application
As a leader I have to understand that I am just one small part of the great story that God is unfolding in the world, and even right where I serve. I may be called to bring a ministry to a point, but someone else may take it to the next season of health and growth. That's a good thing, and something that should be celebrated. It's an honor that God would count me worthy to be used at all. The same is true even in my family. I am what... two generations... maybe three... from no one ever knowing I existed. The only thing that will last is the impact I had on others... on my children, on friends, neighbors, those I've ministered to at church. The love I've shown, the life I have modeled, the encouragement I have provided... these are my legacy. Whether my name is remembered as one who helped this church or any church on the path to becoming a force for the kingdom of God doesn't really matter. That God's name is exalted and people far from God are brought to life in Christ... that is all that matters. If God choses to use me in any of that... then may he "do as He promised."

Prayer
Thank you Lord for using me at all. Whatever your dream is for me, whatever role big or small, wherever, whenever... do as you promised. Thanks for never giving up and always loving me. Help me to know your will and to do all that you have for me to do.