David had eagerly desired to build the house of the Lord (7; 17:1). God did not allow it but promised David’s son would do the work (8-10), so David prepared everything for his son Solomon.

History records that God’s temple was built by Solomon, not David. We can be sensitive about who gets credit for work that will be done. Older people can be concerned about their legacy. David was at such a stage in life. But he was thankful that his son would do the work. He even wrote a poem on the dedication of the temple (Psalm 30).

We can do great things for the glory of God if we are free from the desire to be recognized by others. Our Lord Jesus set an example for us to follow in this regard (John 7:18). We can’t do it alone, and if done together, unconcerned about who gets the credit, there’s not much that can’t be done. We can set up all the necessary preparations, even from behind the scenes, and cheer on others, “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you” (16b).
Application: Father, I repent of being very sensitive about who gets the credit. May I seek your honor and glory, not my own, as David and our Lord Jesus Christ did. May I do everything in your presence. Amen.
One Word: “Coram Deo!”—“in the presence of God!”