119. BRING GOD GLORY – BUILD WITH EXCELLENCE

(The Faith Forum Series – Batch 3)

“…the house that is to be builded FOR THE LORD must be EXCEEDING MAGNIFICAL, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it…” (DAVID – 1 Chronicles 22:5)

I believe that everything we put our hands to do in this life, that is good, should be done with excellence. When done, not in our own strength but with God’s enabling power, it serves as a beautiful testimony of his grandeur. It sends the message to the world, that we serve the only true and living God and that he is not just great but he is THE greatest and therefore, deserving of our best.

We don’t need to be bright to do it. God’s power will enable us to perform with excellence. It will enable us to stand out from the masses, as unique and different.

David wanted the house that his son Solomon would build for the Lord, to be so shockingly excellent and so unexpectedly grand, that it would attract the attention and recognition of the heathen, have them in awe and curious about the grandeur of the God for whom it was created.

He wanted it to be of such high quality and so beautifully and skillfully crafted, that people would associate that building’s excellence with the God, who he knew from his many experiences was a God of par excellence.

So he set about to make preparation for it before he died, which also speaks of leaving a legacy of excellence.

As Christians, in every season and for everything we put our hands to, we should also have the same mentality, that is, to ensure that God is glorified and presented to the world as magnificent, through our excellence.

Colossians 3:23 states, “…whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

For some projects we are to undertake, God only gives the idea or vision today, which we are to faithfully and patiently prepare for and then he brings it to pass with excellence at some future point.

God is able, just like he did with Joseph and Daniel, to give his children favour and (irrespective of their background and level of intelligence), a spirit of excellence. This is so that their work and everything they put their hands to, would be done to the best of their ability and be of such an exceptionally high standard when done, that it would stand out, not for their glory but His.

For, as 2 Corinthians 4:7 states, “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the EXCELLENCY of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

In terms of our Christian lives, conduct, testimony and the work we do for the Lord, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 also speaks of the quality of what God expects us to build spiritually, for his Kingdom and that at the foundation of it, MUST be Jesus Christ. Building with gold, silver and precious stones (which are high quality material) is considered commendable, while using wood, hay and stubble (which are cheap and shoddy) is a reproach.

The scripture reads:

• “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Bring God glory. Build with excellence.

(Written on 22nd August, 2018)