1 Chronicles 28:20

I came across this verse a couple of weeks ago and I was struck by something it said. This is David speaking to Solomon as he gives Solomon the plans for building the temple. Solomon was chosen by God to build the temple and David was leaving all the plans and all the materials he had collected for that purpose in Solomon's care.

In 1 Chronicles 28:28, David says these words to Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won't leave you or forsake you." (HCSB)

It was the second part of the phrase that jumped off the page at me when I read it. Not only was David telling his son not to be afraid, but he was calling him to do the work he needed to do. This was a call to do something.

I started to think about our lives in relation to this. God has called us all to live lives that are pleasing to Him and that means living different from the world around us. That takes courage and strength. Sometimes God calls us to something specific - maybe something we don't think we can do. To do what God calls us to takes courage and strength.

But, I think we can often get stuck with asking God for courage and strength to do something. We ask, but we don't go beyond that. We forget that the next step after we ask God for that is to actually do what He asked us to do. If we just ask for it and then never do it because we don't think we can, we're not really being strong and courageous. We're being fearful and timid. I don't like those descriptions of what we're doing, but it's the truth. If we're going to be strong and courageous, then we have to actually do it!

In your life, what is God asking you to do that requires you to be strong and courageous?
Have you asked God for courage and strength?
Now, for what I have to come to believe is the most important question in this: Have you done it? Have you stepped out and actually started doing the work?
Or are you still sitting there, waiting for you to feel like you have courage and strength?

If there's one thing I've learned recently, it's that sometimes to courage and strength to do something only comes when you take the first step of obedience to God and begin to do the work He's asked you to do. And once you take that first step, it's easier to keep going.

What are you waiting for? "Be strong and courageous, and do the work."

paying attention

It's been one of those times recently where everywhere I turn the same thing keeps coming up. Whether it's a sermon at church, a book I read, a blog I follow, a conversation with a friend . . . it seems like the same thing keeps coming up. One thing I've learned is that when that happens, I need to pay attention, because it usually means God is trying to say some thing to me.

And when God is saying something that's definitely the time I want to be listening to Him. Even if what He's saying isn't what I really want to hear, it's always what I need to hear. It's worth listening when He speaks. Sometimes what He's saying can change everything in a big way. But, often what He's saying changes little things in your everyday and that changes everything too.

How are you doing at paying attention to what God is speaking about in your life?

all for God

A few nights ago, I was reminded of how we need to give God everything. He is the One Who deserves all of us. This short poem was part of my response to being reminded of that.

Sold out all for You

That's how I want to live

Everything up to You

That's my praise today

Give it all for you

That's my life today

Declaring who You are

Bringing all my praise

All of me is for You

Nothing held for me

You and You alone

Deserve my everything

I cannot imagine

My life any other way