“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, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.”

1 Chronicles 28:20

This was a task that David really wanted to do, but God said that Solomon would do it instead. The task was huge, since God’s house has to be built to His specifications and not just deigned by Solomon. It was daunting for all those involved in the work, and great faith has to be exercised to get the job done properly, so that God would be glorified in His temple.

David is encouraging Solomon to be strong in the Lord and very courageous and do the work. David makes it personal,for Solomon… he says “my God.” God is personal to His people and will never leave them to suffer or struggle alone. Maybe Solomon spoke to his father about the concerns he had about the building project, and David is telling him to go ahead and not be discouraged by the difficulties or afraid of do it he wrong thing, but to trust in the Lord.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you”

Deuteronomy 31:6

The building would be a success, because God was with Solomon – Solomon is God’s servant and God will never fail him, leave him until the work is completed.

God is encouraging us also in this regard. If you are a Christian, God has given you a task to do, or maybe more. We must do them in His strength and trust in hIm completely to give us the persistence and power to do the job for His glory and our good. We are encouraged by the Word of God primarily, but also the instances of God’s faithfulness in the past and His keeping power over our souls.

God will never leave us and will not let us wander far from Him, His keeping power, depends on the death of Christ our Saviour, on the cross, and that sacrifice is sufficient to keep us always. God’s power never fails, nor His great and precious promises. They are great because they are God’s promises and we can depend on Him every time.

Whatever I am doing today, let it be with faith and love for the Lord, and may I keep my way clean and right with Him. He will do the rest and give me the strength to complete my task for His glory. We are courageous, because we obey the Lord and trust in what He says.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9