A Perfect VerseTo Share With Youngsters
Carefully Worded
I wanted to be careful with the wording of this title because I know not all you have children.
The focus verse of this blog is a natural for believing parents to pass on to their children and grandchildren. But if you don’t have children, this verse is ideal for any youngster in your life, whether nephews and nieces, children of friends, or students if you are a teacher.
The verse is 1 Chronicles 28:9:
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
The Context
King David was at the end of his life and ready to publicly hand over the reins of Israel to his son Solomon. This was a crucial period in Israel’s history as we read:
Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the leaders of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, with the officials and the mighty men, all the valiant warriors (1 Chronicles 28:9).
At his side was the one of whom God said:
Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house [temple] and My courtyards;
for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a Father to him. I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, as is done now (1 Chronicles 28:6-7).
With the eyes of the nation’s leaders upon the king, David turned to Solomon and said:
So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the presence of our God, keep and seek after all the commandments of the LORD your God so that you may possess the good land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons after you forever (1 Chronicles 28:8).
He then communicated that gem of counsel, the perfect verse, which should be passed down to every generation:
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Crucial Truths
David’s guidance to Solomon is filled with crucial truths every young person must know. Naturally, individuals have different levels of comprehension, and this must be considered when delivering such crucial truths. Nevertheless, at the proper time, this truth must be conveyed.
So, how would sharing this verse play out; how should you handle it?
I would first sit down with the youngster in your life (I hope to do this in a few years with my now 5-year-old grandson) and simply read this verse. I then would explain who David and Solomon are, and the responsibility that lay ahead for Solomon.
I would then explain to the youngster how God has a plan for them, with responsibilities designed specifically for them. I would next explain the role God has played in my life – how crucial He is to every aspect of my existence, and how I cannot live without Him.
On the heels of this, I would encourage the youngster to wholeheartedly seek after God, to love Him, serve Him, and do so joyfully.
I would then note the 2 cautions of this verse, the first being that God knows our hearts and thoughts. Nothing can be hidden from Him. He knows what makes us tick, and of what kind of “stuff” we are made.
To me, this translates into God knowing the level of sincerity with which we serve Him. In other words, the things we do with our hands must be matched with the love and devotion of our hearts and minds.
I would tell the youngster to be seeking after God, to want to know and please Him. I would assure him that if he seeks after God, the Lord will make Himself known to him.
Which, of course, leads to the second caution, “but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” Obviously this is a solemn reality, but its crucial truth cannot be brushed off. It speaks of judgment – eternal separation from God. This will not be easy to convey in a non-threatening and understandable way, but is necessary.
It was necessary for David to share these truths with Solomon, and it will be necessary for you to do the same with the youngster in your life.
A Perfect Verse
1 Chronicles 28:9 is a perfect verse to share with youngsters as it runs the gamut from salvation to damnation, but does so in a way which should inspire, encourage, and motivate them to seek after the Lord Jesus.
May God bless you as you look to pass on the truths of salvation to the youngsters in your life!
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David Ettinger was born and raised in a Jewish family in New York. After moving to New Mexico as an adult, he suffered through many trials. The nudge of the Holy Spirit caused him to examine his heart and in 1986 he surrendered his life to Jesus and has walked with Him ever since.
David holds a BA, and MA, in English from New Mexico State University. He began his journalism career writing for The Roundup, the university paper. After graduation he became the sportswriter for the El Paso Times. At the Las Cruces (New Mexico) Sun-News he was sportswriter before becoming an editor.
Later his career led him to Orlando, Florida. He served as the writer/editor at The Holy Land Experience. David has also performed in the function of writer/editor for the First Baptist Church of Orlando. Valencia College invited him to teach English Comp for several years.
At the present time he is active in providing his skills with Zion’s Hope, Inc., in Winter Garden, Florida. His publications include Lifeway publications, Single Parent magazine (Focus on the Family), Zion’s Fire magazine, and Real Life magazine. In addition, he served as managing editor for Zion’s Fire and Real Life. David’s book, Overcomers: 30 Stories of Triumph from the Bible, is available online.
David is proud of his son and grandson.
He invites you to follow blog. He would also love for you to read his Testimony. He is avaialbe for review on Facebook.
Article David Ettinger, and Photo By Ben White are Published With Permission
A good verse indeed to share with youngsters of any age. I have shared this with my grown-up children (now in their twenties), and I look forward to sharing it with my grandson someday,