February 20

David prepared abundantly before his death. — 1 Chr 22:5

We all build on foundations laid by others. It is the part of some to plan and prepare, while others carry out the plans.

The temple was born in David’s heart; it was one of his thoughts. Then he made costly preparations for it. Solomon had little to do but to build the house; the materials were ready to his hand.

We are apt to under–value preparatory work. It is like the foundation of a building; it is buried away, and no one sees it or admires it. Yet there can be no house for men to praise, unless there is first a foundation, strong and secure. Without David’s part, it is not likely that there would have been a temple.

The same thing goes on continually. One sows, another reaps. One plans, another executes. I know a teacher who says her mission is to bring scholars in the rough into a Sunday school, and, when she has tamed them, to pass them over to another teacher and to go out and look for more.