Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.
David’s charge to Solomon
This charge has respect to and gathers force from--
I. The past. Upon the life and conscience of Solomon were concentrated the considerations and responsibilities which arise out of--
1. The relations of the family covenant. Solomon was a sou of promise.
2. The influence of parental example.
3. The Divine faithfulness.
II. The present. From the present several motives and , encouragements are drawn.
1. Problems have been solved, paths of duty have been made clear, and avenues of effort and usefulness have been opened up.
2. The present was made rich in material which had been prepared and laid up in the past.
3. These preparations brought within the reach of Solomon opportunities such as had been enjoyed by no one before him. The preparation of means and material create opportunities. Providence has created for every Christian greater spiritual opportunities than Solomon enjoyed, and the responsibilities arising out of these opportunities are solemn and urgent.
4. All these motives, arguments, and considerations, drawn from the past and present, unite in a resistless appeal for action: “Arise and be doing.”
III. The charge has respect to the future.
1. Encouragement in his undertaking. Solomon had the promise of the Divine presence and blessing.
2. He was also encouraged in his undertaking by the fact that in the accomplishment of it the desires, hopes, and prayers of pious ancestors would be fulfilled.
3. By thus fulfilling the pious desires of godly ancestors, Solomon set in operation spiritual agencies which carry down to future ages blessings in ever widening streams of diffusive beneficence.
Application:
1. In our work we use materials and agencies which have been prepared by kings, prophets, apostles, and martyrs. All the achievements and improvements of modern science and civilisation are available in Christian work.
2. In the kingdom of God them is a place and a sphere for talents and service of all kinds. (S. J. Wilson,D. D.)
Christian activity and its reward
I. Every good man has an important work to do in his day and generation.
1. We have much to do for ourselves in the cultivation of our own minds, the improvement of our hearts, and the faithful application of our various talents.
2. We have much to do for the conversion of others.
3. We have much to do for God.
II. It behoves us to address ourselves to this work with activity, zeal, and energy.
1. Reason dictates this.
2. Gratitude impels it.
3. The brevity of life calls for this.
4. The solemn account we shall have to give should further stimulate us to zeal, activity, and energy.
5. The example of Christ tells us to “Arise and be doing.”
III. When occupying our talents in the exercise of our best efforts we may confidently look for the presence and blessing of God. “And the Lord be with thee.” This might be rendered, “The Lord shall be with thee.”
1. There is a general presence of God with His people, which they enjoy in common with all mankind.
2. There is an especial presence of God with His people, which is the promise of His covenant.
Reflections: This subject will--
1. Reprove the idler.
2. Admonish those who are attempting to work without due dependence upon God.
3. Heaven is a place of ceaseless activity. (George Clayton.)
A new year’s exhortation
I. The sphere of Christian service.
II. The manner of Christian service.
1. Be ready and on the look-out for something to do.
2. Let us find something to do.
3. When you’ve finished one job, set about another. “Be doing.”
III. The vower of Christian service. “The Lord with thee.”
1. His presence will quicken our energy.
2. Will lighten our labour. (R. S. Latimer.)
Inactivity the “dry-rot” of young men
In-activity is the “dry-rot” of thousands of Christian young men. You will never gain a good appetite for God’s Word, or a flush of joy on your countenance, until you lay hold of some earnest, self-denying work and keep at it. Nothing will impart such a holy vehemence to your prayers as to spend an hour by a sick-bed, or in close labour with an impenitent heart. Nothing will stiffen your muscle more than tough up-hill work in behalf of some unpopular cause or moral reform. The only cure for indolence is honest work; the only cure for selfishness is self-sacrifice; the only cure for timidity is to plunge into duty before the shiver benumbs you; the only cure for unbelief is to put Christ to the test every day. Prayer must kill unbelief, or else unbelief will kill prayer. The Christian warfare is not a single pitched battle; it is a campaign for life. You may often imagine that you have attended the funeral of some besetting sin--and lo! it is on its feet again next morning! You won’t fire the last shot until the gates of glory welcome you in among the crowned conquerors. (T. C. Cuyler.)
