February 20

And David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent—famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I must make preparations for it.” So David made lavish preparations before his death. — 1 Chr 22:5 BSB

We all build on foundations laid by others. Some are called to plan and prepare, while others carry out the plans.

The temple was born in David’s heart, and he made costly preparations for its construction. Solomon had little to do but build the house; the materials were already prepared for him.

We often undervalue preparatory work. It’s like the foundation of a building—it’s hidden, and no one sees or admires it. Yet without a strong foundation, there would be no house to praise. Without David’s contribution, it’s unlikely the temple would have been built.

This pattern continues in life. One person sows, another reaps. One person plans, another carries out the plan. I know a teacher whose mission is to bring difficult students into Sunday school, and after taming them, she passes them to another teacher to continue their growth, while she goes out to find more.