“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” ~ 1 Chronicles 28:20 

Solomon was still a very young man, perhaps only in his late teens, when he was crowned the King of Israel. His father was still alive, and they co-ruled the nation for the last several years of David’s life. Solomon had very big shoes to fill. His father was a mighty warrior and an able ruler. He was a man after God’s own heart, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, a man of vision, and a man of valor. In addition to stepping into the role of king, Solomon was tasked by both his father and his God to build a Temple that was to be the dwelling place of God on earth. 

 It is no wonder that his father said to him, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed.” The word “dismayed” is found dozens of times in the Bible. It means “to lose courage, to break down, to be terrified, to be overwhelmed”. Certainly any young person would have been dismayed at the task God had called Solomon to do. It was monumental. It had never been done before. It was dismaying by its very nature! 

As a wise father, David told his son that his help and hope in such a huge undertaking was the truth that his God was with him and God never fails! Reader, please consider Isaiah 41:10! 

When the load seems too heavy, the giants too tall, and the task too difficult do not allow dismay to settle in and defeat you! You and I serve the same God as did David and Solomon and that God never fails! 

Pastor Bish