May 28

In 1 Chronicles 22–25, David is preparing for something he will never complete: the building of God’s temple. Though the task has been assigned to Solomon, David’s heart remains fully engaged in gathering resources, assigning responsibilities, and instructing leaders. His faith drives him to labor for a future that will glorify God beyond his own lifetime.

David tells his son Solomon: “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as He said you would.” (1 Chronicles 22:11) David’s focus isn't on legacy for his own name—it’s about honoring God's name. He does what he can and trusts God with the rest. He labors, but he also lets go.

Psalm 78 reminds us why this kind of legacy matters. It’s a generational psalm—a call to remember and not repeat the failures of the past. “We will not hide them from their children… Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds.” (Psalm 78:4,7) This psalm highlights how quickly people forget God’s goodness when it isn’t passed on with intention. Teaching, testifying, and trusting are how we keep faith alive across generations.

And then we turn to Romans 5, where Paul speaks of the greatest foundation ever laid:
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This is the heart of the gospel. While David and Solomon were building a physical temple for God's presence, Jesus came to make us living temples—reconciled, redeemed, and restored by grace.

We don’t labor for righteousness—it is given to us freely through Christ. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

God's grace gives us what we could never build on our own: peace, purpose, and eternal hope. And just like David, we’re invited to live in such a way that we prepare others—our families, churches, and communities—to encounter God, even long after we’re gone.

To receive daily One Year Bible devotionals directly to your email, sign up here.