David gives wise instruction to his son Solomon, (22:11ff). David makes it very clear that it is keeping the law of the Lord and being careful to observe the decrees and laws that will bring success. The promises of God are always contingent upon doing what God says. David tells them to build the house as God had instructed but he also reminds them that their major effort is to devote themselves to the Lord. The temple is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end. The end is the rightful worship of God. All that God had commanded them to do before and all that he is giving them instruction to do now was for one purpose. It was to guide them in the proper worship and service of God. This would result in them being blessed and in all the nations of the earth being blessed through them as the great and merciful God is revealed in the worship life of Israel.
This is true for us today, as well. The world can see what God is like through our worship. And not just the worship we do in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. But in the worship we do every day of the week when we dedicate all that we do to the Lord. When we work hard and others notice, it can be done to the glory of God. When we are kind to neighbors and friends, it can be done in the name of the Lord. When we struggle with illness and pain, but give praise and thanks to God, this is an act of worship and it brings glory to God as it reveals God’s faithfulness to us even through difficult times. All these are acts of worship and brings blessing into the lives of all those who experience it and see it. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. Israel was the people gathered to do the same. And the church is also God’s gathered people who are blessed by his presence and commanded to go out into the world to bring that blessing to others.