1 Chronicles 28:20 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.
David spoke these words of encouragement to Solomon as he was about to take over the kingdom and build the temple of the Lord. In Joshua 1:9, Moses speaks similar words of encouragement to Joshua as he was about to assume leadership in the Conquest of the Promised Land. The same reason is given for why they could be strong and of good courage: “The Lord God will be with you.”
Before beginning a great work of God, like entering the land or building the temple, we need to take courage and be not afraid because the Lord is with us. Jesus gave us the Great Commission to go into all the world with the accompanying promise, “Lo, I am with you always.” God recognizes that there will be opposition to finishing the work He called us to, but it is His work and He is with us.
The Lord has called each of us to a particular mission according to our vocation in life. It may be as father, mother, leader or worker, but the calling is just as important as a general or a king. For instance, raising a godly family presents challenges and the job comes with opposition. But we have God’s promise; therefore, we can respond with strength and courage, and we will fear not nor be dismayed. Just having a baby or starting a new job comes mixed with joy and fear. So the Lord gives us this word: be strong and of good courage!