Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 28:20. It's a really important and comforting passage about God’s unwavering support. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “Don’t worry, David, even though you’re building a magnificent temple for the Lord – a huge, impressive structure – God is always with you and won't abandon you.” Let’s unpack that a little more: “Be strong and of good courage…” - This means to be brave and confident. It’s about having the strength to persevere through challenges. “…and do [it]:” – This is crucial! “Do it” refers to the task of building the temple. “Fear not, nor be dismayed:” – This is a direct command not to worry or be discouraged. It’s about maintaining hope and peace of mind. “…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.” - This is the really important part! “The Lord God” is referring to God himself. It's saying that: He’s with you: He’s present and supportive. He won't fail you: He will never abandon you, no matter what happens. He won’t forsake you: He will never leave you behind. Until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD: This is a long-term promise – he'll continue to support you throughout your entire life , even after you complete the temple. In short, it’s a guarantee of God’s presence and continued care throughout the entire process of building something significant. It emphasizes that God's love and faithfulness are eternal and will remain with us even after we’re gone. Why is this important? It speaks to the idea that our challenges and accomplishments are part of a larger, ongoing relationship with God. It reminds us to trust in His plan and not give up, even when things get difficult. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from 1 Chronicles 28? Discuss the significance of this passage within the context of the Old Testament story of David’s building of the Temple?