Do the Work

I love the words David spoke to his son, Solomon.

1 Chronicles 28:20b-c (NIV)
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."

That fatherly pep talk certainly fueled Solomon's resolve. He was assured of God's unfailing, ever-present care.

While I began with the second sentence of verse twenty, David spoke words in the first sentence that we must acknowledge . . .

1 Chronicles 28:20a (NIV)
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work."

Notice the words "do the work."

Now, a question. What good would strength and courage have been if Solomon never did the work (of building the temple of God)?

Another question. What legacy would Solomon have left if after hearing about God's unfailing, ever-present care he returned to life as normal?

Because of God's faithfulness, his father's preparations, and his own work, Solomon completed the temple of God. Without any one of those three contributing factors, the temple would have remained merely a dreamy goal.

Everyone who seeks to serve God must do the work.

Have faith? Definitely yes!
Rely on others for help! You'd be foolish not to!
But faith and help do not, own their own, construct walls - or ministries, or marriages, or educational degrees, or legacies.

James, the brother of Jesus, would add a hearty "Amen!" to those sentiments. They are, after all, right in alignment with his words.

James 2:14-17 (NIV)
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

What task has God set before you?
     Do the work.
Is the education you seek difficult?
     Do the work.
Is your marriage a bit rough?
     Do the work.

Keep the faith. Ask for help. Do the work.

#ordinarylives

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