"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." {1 Chronicles 28:9} This final charge from David to his son Solomon is worthy of our study showing excellent advice from a father to his son.

KNOW GOD. One must have an understanding of God in order to obey Him. Some, who have followed the course of the world, have refused to know God, Romans 1:21. How can one come to know God? A knowledge of God's word is an excellent place to start. Paul said creation itself left men without excuse to know the power of God, Romans 1:20.

SERVE GOD. One must give Him the honor, reverence, respect and obey Him. God does not desire lip service! He wants our willing whole-hearted service toward Him. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." {Hebrews 12:28,29} Do you live to serve God?

UNDERSTAND GOD SEARCHES THE HEART. God sees the part of us that no one can see -- the heart. He understands our desires, motives, and thoughts of our hearts. Jesus warned us about the things which come into our hearts.

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." {Matthew 15:19,20} Every thought of our heart we will give an account of, Matthew 12:36.

SEEK THE LORD. "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." {Jeremiah 29:13} One must make the effort to find Jesus. This is the personal duty of all men to seek Him and find Him, Acts 17:27,28.

IF ONE FORSAKES HIM -- HE WILL BE CAST OFF! Does this not make forsaking God a very serious matter? This suggest to us the giving up, leaving, or renouncing something. Why would anyone desire to forsake Him once they have found Him? Never forget this one point -- God does not forsake man. It's always men who forsake Him!

This fatherly advice would be worthy for any father to give to his son. Fathers, are we living this advice now before our children?