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)

 

There is nothing more precious than receiving a blessing before you embark on a new adventure.  I recently received that honor from my sweet prayer group friends, as they laid hands on me and prayed for our family as we prepare to go overseas again.

 

We go to do God’s work because He sends us.  The gift of His people praying for our health, safety and success in that work is truly refreshing and empowering.  That is what Solomon receives from his earthly father, King David, in this passage.  It is reminiscent of God’s commission of Joshua.  It is not just an assignment David is giving to Solomon, but a promise that the Lord is in control.  Solomon never has to fear for the success of the project, if he stays true to his faith.

 

These words, over the long years it took to build the Temple, probably stayed with Solomon.  I can only imagine how Solomon felt getting the daily updates – especially if they were not good!  I think about those long days of isolation and conflict we experienced, while overseas the first time and how my need for Christ crystallized into a hunger.  I was desperate for Him in a way I’d never known, because the job He gave us to do was hard.

 

In Solomon’s case, it was not up to him to complete the work.  Like Joshua and the Hebrews, they had to move forward in faith and act on what God told them to do – but victory was not in their hands.  Discouragement sets in when we forget it is not up to us to make it all happen.  Yet, over and over again in His word, the Lord instructs us to have faith in Him.  We must not fear we will never make it to the end because God is with us.  In the simple words of the Apostle Paul from Romans 8:31,

 

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

Our response at every moment of the journey is to say God is with us.  There is no reason to fear, no reason to despair and no reason to quit.  We can keep going because God is faithful.  He never gives up on a promise.  He never fails to complete the work He sets out to do.  So if you are struggling to complete the task God has laid out for you, turn to Him.  Look to Him for hope and inspiration.  He is right there, more than willing and able to give!

 

Bring a project you are struggling with to the Lord today and rest in His power to complete it.

 

Heavenly Father – I praise the work of Your Hands!  Forgive me when I start to take it all on myself and get bogged down.  Lift my head to see that You are responsible for the outcome, I am responsible for obedience.  Give me the strength to keep going, full of Your power and let me rest in knowing You are always with me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.