Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. 1 Chronicles 29:9

 

It is not easy being a young adult today. Living payday to payday, stressed out over the state of the world, and craving meaning in life, the future looks grim to them.

 

Almost a thousand years before Christ, a father looked ahead to the daunting future that faced his son; the advice he gave is good for the ages. Solomon was chosen to be his father’s replacement as king and the job that lay ahead of him was epic. King David said, “My son Solomon…is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is nor for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself” (1 Chronicles 29:1).

 

David prepared plans for the physical work that needed to be done. But the personal words he had for his son focused on what mattered most. “Solomon, my son,” David advised, “Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously” (1 Chronicles 29:9). David also encouraged Solomon: “Be strong and courageous…don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

 

People of any age can be encouraged by David’s counsel. No matter what discouraging circumstances we see before us, the God of the Bible can be known intimately and desires closeness with us. He knows what is coming and will not fail or forsake any generation.