Parakalein

In the lectionary text form the old testament last week, I kings 1-3 David again show his humanity.  It is all around us.  In the advertisements, it is everywhere.  Young and pretty women make men stand up and take notice?

David was old in years and in failing health.  He had reigned 40 years and had united the kingdoms, had set in motion a leadership transition to Solomon, had won many battles and had put Israel and Judah to gather as a force to be reckoned with and as a testimony to God's faithfulness.  Instead of blessing the next generation and letting that be enough which was what Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had done.

He sent for a young virgin to (go ahead you fill in the blank) come to him so as to give him renewed energy in his last days.  No one in the Kingdom was strong or courageous enough to tell him that that was not a good idea.  None one "manned up" in fact they manned down and did the King's bidding as no one wanted to incur the wrath of the King.  It is easy to man up when it gets you accolades or gets you some benefit it takes courage to man up when it might cost you standing.  To not stand up is to stand down in fear of loss.  To stand up is to take a stand for honor and honesty regardless of the potential fallout or loss from taking a stand.

Paul said, "Be unlovable, steadfast, stand fast and tall in the work of Lord, knowing that your work or labor is never in vain in the Lord".  Isaiah, "Those who honor me (the Lord) and stand tall, I will honor"

The honor code of "man up" is to stand up regardless of loss, in the face of fear, without any agenda, and with the courage of character that is the true honor code!

Man up.