When David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace made from cedar, while the ark of the Lord’s covenant is under a tent.” (1 Chronicles 17:1 NET)

David wants to build a house for God. God says no. “I raised you to be a king, to expand the land and build a kingdom. You’ll die and leave it to your son and he’ll build the temple.”
When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build me a house, and I will make his dynasty permanent. (1 Chronicles 17:11, 12 NET)

God tells David what He was appointed for. His calling and his time were for his generation, but what God is doing is too much for one generation.

God used David to expand the kingdom and the dominion of Israel so that when Solomon went to build the temple, Israel had forests, quarries, mines, and more.

When God wanted to build a tabernacle in the desert, He planned ahead.

The Ark of the Covenant was made with the golden earrings of Egyptian royalty! God prepared the Egyptians generations ahead of the Exodus to have plenty of gold and animal skins (sea cow, etc.) for the Hebrews to take with them when they left.

The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they gave them whatever they wanted, and so they plundered Egypt. (Exodus 12:36 NET)

How many generations of Hebrews toiled and died in Pharoah’s gold mines thinking they were digging up jewelry for a vain king when they were really digging up the dwelling place of the authority of mercy?!

All over the scriptures God does things that don’t seem like a big deal, but later on they become ESSENTIAL to His glorious plan. Most of the time they aren’t mentioned, but you have to read between the lines to see that God did something BEFORE the events that are described.

Shepherd-boy David killed Goliath and they put Goliath’s sword away like a museum token. Years later, when there were only 2 swords in the entire country and David needed a sword, Goliath’s sword was waiting for him.( 1 Samuel 21:9)

Caesar Augustus called a census of the people, and so Joseph and Mary have to travel to Bethlehem in a most unopportune time – Just so Jesus could be born in Bethlehem.

The Apostle Paul’s dad was a Greek Jew, making Paul a Greek citizen and completely altering the way the Gospel was spread. If Paul would have not been a legal Greek citizen, the book of Acts and half of the New Testament would have been radically different.

Self-centered idea that we should accomplish something amazing.

Is it movies? Is it selfish pride? “You americans left Europe, explored America, and that wasn’t enough for you so you just keep going all over the world!” – British missionary friend

What if the amazing thing that God wants us to accomplish is more relational than memorial?

Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love (Hesed) and not sacrifice, the knowledge (discernment, understanding, skills) of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6 ESV)

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15 ESV)

God wants to be close to us and THAT is what He is longing to accomplish!

THAT is His main goal in each of us.
God is not passive and we shouldn’t be either. Out of the overflow of our friendship with Him we act.
God’s work is multi-generational. It is too much for one generation!

Solomon became king when he was about 18. He shared kingship with his father for 3 years before David died.
Take that clear calling and pass it on.

My Jedi Council
K.H. is in his 80s and can’t spend his time with homeless men and travel to Asia
J.L. can’t lead mission trips forever! “Pay attention, next year you’re coming out here without me!”
John Perkins marched with MLK Jr. and now has breakfast with people that come on week-long mission trips to Jackson Mississippi
R.U. is 50 and runs a camp near Murray Kentucky but for a year before I left for Asia he poured into me the amazing phenomenon of house churches!
Proverbs 2 – Take your relationship with God and pass it on to another generation. If you are young, track down some white-hairs and shut up and listen.