A Time To #15

Gather Stones Together

Last time we looked at the concept of casting stones away and how that relates to us putting forth our gifts both to help others and to defeat the enemy.  We talked about how regardless of the tools we use, it takes faith in God to get the most out of them.  Today, we look at another concept involving stones.  This time, though, we gather.

What does it mean to gather?

To gather here means to bring together, but it goes further than just to collect.  It means to heap up as though to build.  The process of gathering stones together for building things is throughout the Bible.  It is a process used to build altars, walls and even the house of the LORD.  We look at that last item as it relates to our subject from last time. 

David, in one of his last actions as king, commanded for materials to be brought together for the purpose of building the house of the LORD (1 Chronicles 22).  This is interesting because David was not suppose to build the house of the LORD.  Why then would he go to all the trouble of bringing everything together for its building?  Why not just let Solomon take care of this project?  Didn't David trust Solomon?  Weren't there other things David could be doing?  All of those are good questions and their answers give us a clear picture of the season of gathering stones together:

Why did David get the materials together to build God's house if he wasn't going to build it?

David's devotion to God and worshiping Him was so great that he desired to build him a temple grander than any building every produced.  However, God chose to deny him this service due to all the blood David had shed in his life.  God wanted His temple to represent life, peace and harmony.  As good as a king that David was, had it been David's temple, many would have associated it with the wars he fought as much as they would his God.  David didn't let this deter him in his belief that God deserved a great temple.  He provided the preliminary materials needed to get the project started and instructed Solomon as well as the builders on how building this temple was more than just a project.  It was a memorial of worship unto God.  David's willingness to be a part of this when he wasn't going to be able to actually build the temple showed his love for God and desire to see His house built.

Did David trust Solomon and Why didn't he let Solomon take on the project?

The answer to these questions is found in 1 Chronicles 22.  David did trust Solomon because he put the task in Solomon's hands (v.6).  David knew that the project needed to get rolling so as to inspire Solomon to continue it after his death.  However, nowhere does David try to instruct Solomon on how to build the temple, only that he should build it.  David wasn't trying to control the situation.  He was trying to set Solomon up for success

Were there other things David could be doing?

Solomon did expand the empire and secure Israel's borders during his reign, things that David could have done while he was still alive.  However, David showed Solomon that there are some things that are more important than temporal success and establishment.  God is important and our commitment to Him should always come first.

So we see that gathering stones together is about one main thing.  It's pulling in our resources to offer God his due.  It's establishing the spiritual over the temporal.  More importantly, it's helping to pave the way for things to be done in the Kingdom of God that we won't fully accomplish.  In gathering stones, we may not get to be a part of the grand building project God has in mind.  However, we'll be setting up those who will.  And who knows.  Maybe one day somebody will return the favor for us.

What projects does God want you to be a gatherer on?
What resources can you bring in that will help to establish someone in their future calling?
Pray that God will lead you in what resources you can bring in and to whom you can help establish with these resources.

Example:  God is looking to establish a move among the teens in your church.  You've been a prayer warrior all your life, but the movement God is looking to create must come from within the group.  Which of the teens can you strike a bond with and what can you teach them about prayer to spark this movement?

Do you have other examples?  Share them in the comments below.