“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”
In plain words: David told his son Solomon to be brave and get to work, and not to give in to fear. God would stay with him and would not walk away until the whole job was done.
What 1 Chronicles 28:20 means.
David told Solomon to be strong and courageous and do the work, because God would not leave him until it was finished.
Common questions about 1 Chronicles 28:20
Who was David talking to, and what was the work?
David was the king of Israel, and he was getting old. He was speaking to his son Solomon, who would be king next. The work was building the temple in Jerusalem, a special house where God's people would worship Him. David had wanted to build it himself, but God chose Solomon for the job, as 1 Chronicles 28:6 explains. So David handed over the plans and gave his son this push: be strong, and do it.
Apply it today: Write down one task you have been putting off, and take the first small step on it today.
Is this promise for me too, or only for Solomon?
These words were first spoken to Solomon about one big job. So we should not pretend they are a personal message to us. But the Bible shows that God's care for His people is a pattern. He gave a similar promise to Joshua in [[Joshua 1:9]]. And for followers of Jesus, [[Hebrews 13:5]] says God will never leave them or forsake them. So the promise shows us what God is like: He stays with those who serve Him.
Apply it today: Read Hebrews 13:5 slowly once today and notice what it says about God's presence.
Does being courageous mean I will not feel afraid?
No. David did not tell Solomon he would never feel fear. He told him not to be ruled by it. Solomon had a huge job, and the Bible says he was young. Courage here means taking the next step even while your stomach is tight. The reason David gives is not Solomon's skill. It is that the Lord is with him. Moses said something like this to Israel in [[Deuteronomy 31:6]]. Strength comes from knowing who stands beside you.
Apply it today: Name one thing you are afraid of, then do one small action toward it anyway.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Do the next piece of the build today. God stays until it’s done.
Pray it back.
Lord, I’ll be strong and do the work. Stay with me until it’s finished.
Carry it all day.
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