1 Chronicles 28:20 (NKJV)
20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
God has a calling for each person’s life. There is a reason we are placed in this world. David wanted to build a Temple for God. David was even encouraged to do so by Nathan the prophet until God spoke to Nathan telling him David was not to build the Temple. David’s son Solomon was to build the Temple. The why is another devotion. David’s response and how he passed on the responsibility of building the Temple is important.
David knew God had a plan and purpose for his life. It was through David’s life God expanded the nation of Israel. The enemies of the nation had been defeated. David knew God had a plan for his life and a plan for Solomon’s life. David worked to help Solomon by gathering materials for the building of the Temple. He encouraged Solomon not only in gathering the materials for the building but in words.
David encouraged Solomon to “Be strong and of good courage.” Solomon was to be “diligent in building the Temple.” Solomon would face many difficulties in doing so. Not everyone would want to follow him, there would be those who would oppose him. Solomon was not to fear nor be discouraged.
Solomon was to be faithful to God. Whoa! The more we trust in God the more the enemy is going to attack. What Solomon needed to hear and witness in his own life was that God had a plan, and already had people standing by ready to work with him. 1 Chronicles 28:21 “Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also, the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”
God already had the people ready to work with and support Soloman. The priest and Levites were ready to serve in the temple to lead the people in worship. God had the skilled workers ready to assist Solomon in construction of the Temple. The officials and people were ready to support Solomon. God already has everything worked out. Now, all Solomon had to do was follow God’s plan.
The great promise of God given to Solomon is also found in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (A little personal note to a certain grandson. “Trust God…He will never leave you nor forsake you.”)
In 1905 Charles Albert Tindley wrote the words to this song; “When the Morning Comes”
Trials dark on every hand And we cannot understand All the ways that God would lead us To that blessed Promised Land But He’ll guide us with His eye
And we’ll follow till we die We will understand it better By and by.
By and by When the morning comes When the saints of God are gathered home We will tell the story How we’ve overcome We will understand it better
By and by
Oft our cherished plans have failed Disappointments have prevailed And we’ve wandered in the darkness Heavy hearted and alone But we’re trusting in the Lord And according to His Word We will understand it better By and by
Temptations, hidden snares Often take us unawares And our hearts are made to bleed For some thoughtless word or deed And we wonder why the test When we try to do our best But we’ll understand it better By and by.
Trust God…he will never lead you in the wrong direction.