‘Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished”‘ (1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV).
David gave his son, Solomon, instructions on how to build the Lord’s Temple. Along with the building plans, David gave him three important leadership principles and one promise. This three-part instruction with a promise is found throughout Scripture (See also Joshua 1:9 and Haggai 2:4-5).
THE THREE PRINCIPLES:
1. “Be strong.” This is a matter of your will. Be firm and resolute in determination. When fear comes and it will, be strong and do not fear.
2. “Be courageous.” This is a matter of your passion. Stay alert and be brave. Be stout and do not be dismayed. For the one who is dismayed has lost all hope.
3. “Do it.” This is a matter of your activity. Get busy until you have finished the work the Lord has for you. Long before Nike, David said, “Just do it!”
THE PROMISE
The promise supports the three leadership principles, promising the Lord’s continuous and powerful presence. For we can do nothing without the Lord. Yet with the Lord, we can do all things.
David told Solomon that the Lord would never leave, nor forsake him until he had finished the work assigned to him. This promise was not only for David’s son, Solomon, but for the Son of David, Jesus Christ. Who after completing the work the Father had assigned to Him on the cross, declared, “It is finished!” And so He became the Chief Cornerstone of God’s holy temple and we are being built into His spiritual house like living stones through Him (See Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:4-5).
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us by Your real presence in our lives. Help us to be strong and courageous and to do the work for which You have called us. For You are faithful and all Your promises are true. In Jesus’ name, amen.