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)
Captain James Cook took SS Endeavor throughout the Pacific Ocean, discovering, observing, and redefining the world. But on the ship, he was more popular for being a kind man. Unlike most Captains, Cook didn’t flog sailors. Cook didn’t treat the seamen as less than human. Cook looked after his men.
One evening, Cook overheard two sailors discussing him. One sailor was worried about what would happen after the Endeavor returned home. What sort of Captain would the sailors be under, next? But the other sailor simply responded, “There’s work to be done. Until the work is finished, we have the Good Captain Cook.”
This is what David was telling Solomon. When Solomon was King of Israel, he had many enemies. We remember Solomon’s success, so we don’t think about the early days. Solomon was afraid. But David told him that as long as God’s work was being done, Solomon had nothing to fear.
Note, David did not say there would be no problems. But even the problems are under the loving wings of our Good God. As long as Solomon was doing God’s assignments, there was nothing to fear.
And that is true for us, too. Doing God’s work is what keeps us safe.
We get in trouble when we work for ourselves.
Fear not, work for God.