King David — Devotions — Kristine Brown, Author

How do I stop living on overload?

I know deep down the best thing to do to stop living on overload is just clean the closet.

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. 1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT

David gave Solomon sound advice in his instruction for building the temple. After encouraging Solomon to be strong and courageous, he added these three words.

Do the work.

We can learn an important lesson from this simple statement. Sometimes we try to find solutions for our busyness, but it just adds more to the to-do list than what’s already there. When instead, we should stop trying to give our schedule an overhaul and just tackle the tasks - one at a time.

I don’t know about you, but I can make things so complicated. That’s why I love it when God keeps it simple, as He does here in this message. After his instructions, David goes on to share the best news of all. “He (God) will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work...is finished correctly.”

When I do my small part, God will make sure the work is finished correctly.

How do you stop overloading yourself?

Maybe it's the daily tasks of life that are overwhelming you. Or maybe it's bigger. More challenging. And you've been dreading it, or maybe even putting it off because you simply don't know where or how to start.

I hear you.

Let's grab hold of God's Word right now. The next time a seemingly overwhelming job taunts you, remember this verse. Let it guide you as you are tempted to distract yourself by rearranging your schedule or creating a new to-do list.

Instead, spend an hour tackling that task. Just doing the work will free us from the craziness that overloads us.

Now if you’ll excuse me for an hour or so, I need to show this closet who's boss.

There’s something remarkable about the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It may be my favorite week of the year. Basking in the afterglow of the joy-filled day before, while experiencing peace and post-celebration stillness. Mix all of that with hope and possibility for the year to come, and I can’t think of a better time to be in God’s presence.

There’s nothing else quite like it.

I didn’t always appreciate this week of inbetween. I got so caught up in the waiting that I failed to see how God wanted to show up at that very moment and be present with me in a new way, like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

You see, it’s also a time to reflect on the past and anticipate the future, and I’ve spent too much time living in both of those places. But the inbetween can be the most precious place, when we let go of the longing and choose to embrace the now.

“And the king repeated his vow: ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.’” 1 Kings 1:29-30 NLT

King David neared the end of his time on earth. At a very old age, he lay in his bed unable to keep warm. He had ruled Israel for 40 years, and now he waited, somewhere in between a fruitful life and seeing his Lord face to face.

But God directed him in his time of inbetween. And as a result, something glorious happened.

“Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, and he said, ‘Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’” 1 Kings 1:47-48 NLT

David appointed Solomon to be the next king of Israel. Solomon, the king who prayed for wisdom, led God’s people, and rebuilt the temple. And in David’s last visit with Solomon, he spoke these prophetic words that breathe hope and purpose into our lives today.

“If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’” 1 Kings 2:4

God spoke an amazing declaration during David's time of waiting. God's only son Jesus, the King of all kings, would one day be born in the lineage of David. And now, Jesus forever sits on the throne as our Lord and Savior, ready to see us face to face. Our ultimate promise of eternal life.

From God’s divine direction in David’s inbetween, we can find hope for our own.

Maybe you are in between jobs. Or maybe you’re waiting to hear whether the doctor brings a good report or bad. You might be longing for a dream to be fulfilled, or wishing for a lost relationship to be restored. Wherever you are right now, know this promise to be true.

God can orchestrate the glorious, even in the midst of our inbetween. (Tweet this.)

So let’s experience this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day with renewed expectancy. Let’s embrace the still moments and quiet days. Instead of waiting on an answer, let’s wait in God’s presence. Because during this time of in between, He desires to draw closer to us than ever before. And there’s nothing more glorious than that.