If you’re unfamiliar with the popular phrase, it was coined by a man known as Big Black; real name Chris Boykin. A personal bodyguard to pro-skater Rob Dyrdek.
You might know them from the MTV show Rob & Big. If you have/had no idea it doesn’t matter much because what I want to talk about has nothing to do with MTV or Rob & Big.
I was going through 1 Chronicles 28 and 29 and it’s the end of David’s life, and he’s giving out what ends up being his last address to his people, but it’s the very best of his people, among them his famous Mighty Men.
So it goes that King David was supposed to build a home for The Ark of the Covenant i.e. God’s temple but God said to him ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’
Great, so here’s an old David who can no longer build the temple, he’d set out to build quite some way back. Instead, it’s his son, Solo (soon to be known as The-wisest-man-on-earth King Solomon) whose job it is to build the temple.
It’s what David says that I wanted to share. Verse 20 says
“David also said to Solomon his son “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…” 1 Chr. 28:20 [NIV] (emphasis added)
You can see where I got the title from. King David then goes on to honestly admit (in front of the whole assembly)
“My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.” 1 Chr. 29:1 [NIV]
By the way, King David goes on to make one of the most generous and challenging donations recorded in history. If you wish, read the rest of the chapter and do some pre-recession mathematics here.
This challenged me. Usually, its way more than easy to let opportunities to reach out, to help, to stand for something or to just believe in God pass us by. I am by no means experienced, though I have learnt my share of lessons; lessons from both action and inaction. The best lessons have come from action, and you could say I’ve been privileged to see God do some great things.
So my point to you is simple. You heard it: Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do something for God. Make something count. It’s no secret that there are plenty of people who could do with some cheering up, with you being the bigger person in the relationship, or with you simple taking time to recognize their existence. There’s something you can do, and you know it.
Get out of your comfort zone.
This may apply more to me than to you, but neither age nor experience is a factor here. The phrase to sum it up may not be the most politically correct, but “Do work, son!”
Photo courtesy of d.danger
Ukwelii 