Living Outloud: Knowing God for Real
Most people don’t crack open 1 Chronicles expecting a spiritual wake‑up call. It’s one of those books we quietly skip, assuming it’s all lists and temple plans. But tucked inside is a surprisingly bright, practical invitation to know God deeply.
In 1 Chronicles 28:9–10, David gives Solomon a charge that reads less like ancient instructions and more like a blueprint for anyone who wants a real relationship with God:
Know God intimately
Worship with a whole heart and a willing mind
Remember He sees every heart
Seek Him and you will find Him
Take your assignment seriously
This isn’t dusty temple talk. It’s a window into what God is like—and what He wants for us. And the foundation under it all is simple but weighty: God does not change.
If His nature is constant, then His call to intimacy, obedience, and honest worship still stands.
Learning the God of the Old and New Testaments
A lot of people quietly assume the Old Testament God is angry and the New Testament God is kind. But that’s a misunderstanding of the timeline.
The Old Testament covers centuries of rebellion and mercy. The New Testament covers decades and centers on the cross—where wrath and love meet in one moment.
Jesus didn’t cancel the Old Testament; He fulfilled it.
So when David tells Solomon to know God, seek Him, and take holiness seriously, we’re seeing the same heart Jesus reveals. Understanding this keeps us from shallow reading and builds a whole‑Bible faith—one that can actually hold up under suffering, temptation, and doubt.
Knowing God Starts with Scripture and Grows Through the Spirit
Think about how you learn someone you love. You pay attention. You remember what delights them. You adjust your life around what matters to them.
Knowing God works the same way.
Scripture shows us what God loves—mercy, justice, humility, obedience, faith, truth. The Holy Spirit personalizes it—nudging, comforting, convicting in real time.
Together they form a simple path:
Read to know God’s character.
Listen to the Spirit to apply it now.
Respond even when emotions lag.
That’s how intimacy grows—not through vague spiritual vibes, but through rooted, daily attention.
Whole‑Hearted Worship Isn’t About Volume—It’s About Integrity
David tells Solomon to worship with a whole heart and a willing mind. That hits home.
One person in the conversation shared how she held back in worship until the Spirit gently pointed out the gap between her everyday passion and her muted praise. It wasn’t about singing louder—it was about honesty.
Another admitted worship doesn’t come naturally, so he leans into willingness. He chooses to sing, pray, and serve even when he doesn’t feel it.
A willing mind matters on weary Sundays and painful weeks. God sees the heart, and He honors willingness that opens the door for Him to shape desire.
Worship becomes less about mood and more about love in action.
God Sees Every Heart—And That’s Good News
“God sees every heart and knows every plan and thought.”
That can comfort or convict depending on the day. But either way, it’s meant to heal.
He isn’t fooled by polished words. He isn’t confused by clumsy ones. He sees intent clearly—something humans rarely do.
If that comforts you, lean in. If it exposes something, don’t run.
Let God’s sight be medicine, not a microscope for shame.
And hold onto the promise: “If you seek Him, you will find Him.” Seeking isn’t a lottery. It’s a path God promises to meet.
The warning—“If you forsake Him, He will reject you”—isn’t a trap for tender consciences. It’s a sober reminder not to drift into willful rejection.
“Be Strong and Do the Work”
Solomon’s assignment was a temple of stone. Ours is a life that hosts God’s presence.
The New Testament calls us God’s temple, which means the work is daily and deeply practical:
Open the Word
Listen to the Spirit
Repent quickly
Worship honestly
Love the church
Pursue holiness
None of this earns God’s love. It responds to it.
Because God doesn’t change, His invitation still stands: Seek Him. You will find Him.
Take your life with Him seriously—not somberly, but like a craft you love.
Start a list of God’s “favorites” you see in Scripture—what He delights in, what He values—and aim your week at those things. That’s strength. That’s the work.
