“Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.” Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.” (1 Chronicles 28:19-21 NLT)
David’s charge to Solomon contains a lot of encouragement. God had a plan. Solomon had only to trust and obey. He should not be afraid or discouraged, for God would not leave him alone. Sometimes doing full-time missions work can be hard. There are language and cultural and spiritual barriers. There are disappointments, and eternal results don’t come quickly or clearly. Japan is a hard mission field, so much that it’s been called a “missionary graveyard.” But God is reminding me today to be faithful to the call He’s given me, to do the work, to not be discouraged or to give up. He has a plan. And He has not left me alone. He’s given me His Church, and He’s given me Himself. He will not fail or foresake me. He’ll be with me ’till the work is done.