“‘All this,’ David said, ‘I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.’ David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.” —1 Chronicles 28:19–21 (NIV)

There’s a moment in Spider-Man: Far From Home when Peter is given Tony Stark’s EDITH glasses for the first time. At first, it’s cool! He’s stepping into something legendary, something entrusted to him by someone he deeply admired. But then it hits: EDITH isn’t just high-tech eyewear, it’s access to global defense systems, drones, and decisions that carry real consequences. Peter goes from wide-eyed wonder to full-on panic. The responsibility feels massive. He even says, “I’m not Iron Man . . . I’m not Tony.”

I wonder if Solomon felt that way, too.

David just gave Solomon the plans to the temple of God, where the Ark of the Covenant would reside, where people would come to worship the Lord and receive forgiveness for sins. And now, everything began to shift from preparation to execution. This is the moment where David looks his son in the eyes and says, “You’ve got what you need.” Not just in terms of plans and materials, but in the power and presence of God.

Verse 19 says, “All this,” referring to the temple blueprints, “I have . . . as a result of the Lord’s hand on me.” You see, David didn’t design this out of preference or guesswork. God revealed it to him. That phrase “as a result of the Lord’s hand on me” echoes throughout Scripture, used in moments of prophetic clarity and divine calling. It’s what came upon Elijah, Ezekiel, and others. And now it rests on David for one last task: to pass on the charge to build something eternal.

But here’s what I love: David doesn’t just say, “Here’s the plan. Now go figure it out.” He tells Solomon what every son and daughter trying to follow God needs to hear from their parent, discipler, pastor, and/or mentor: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” That’s not just encouragement; it’s impartation. David isn’t handing Solomon a throne. He’s handing him trust in the faithfulness of God.

And don’t miss this: David doesn’t say, “The Lord your God.” He says, “The Lord God, my God, is with you.” That’s personal. It’s covenantal. It’s David saying, “I’ve walked with Him. I’ve failed Him. I’ve been rescued, disciplined, forgiven, and restored by Him. And I know He’ll be with you, too.” It’s a father saying, “I’ve seen His faithfulness in my lifetime. Now you will in yours.”

But even more than that, David reminds Solomon that he’s not building alone. God’s presence is with him, as well as God’s people. “The divisions of the priests and the Levites are ready for all the work,” he says. “Every willing person skilled in any craft will help you.” It’s not just Solomon’s burden; it’s a community effort, guided by divine instruction and empowered by human obedience. And that right there is the church. That’s what we’re invited into today—not building temples of gold, but lives that reflect God’s glory; not working alone, but walking in the Spirit with the body of Christ.

When I read this, I hear the echoes of Jesus saying to His disciples, “Surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV). I hear Paul writing, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6 NIV). I hear the whisper of the Spirit saying to you and me: “You have the blueprint. You have My presence. Now be strong, be courageous, and do the work.”

Today, you might feel like Peter Parker did in Far From Home. Or perhaps like Solomon you feel unsure, staring at something far bigger than you. But God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. He doesn’t expect you to have all the answers; He simply invites you to trust Him, follow the plan, and serve faithfully.

David handed Solomon a literal design, but Jesus hands us something even better: His Spirit, His Word, and His Name. So, whether you’re raising kids, planting a church, starting over, or trying to stay faithful in the middle of pain or in the middle of the mundane, don’t be afraid or discouraged. Do the work. Remember that He’s with you, He’s gone before you, and He’s put His people around you so you’ll never have to build alone.

Pause: Are you feeling overwhelmed by what’s in front of you? What makes you want to give up before you even begin? Do you believe the presence of God is enough?

Practice: Ask God to show you the blueprint He’s given you for this season,  whether it’s parenting, ministry, work, or healing. Write down what obedience looks like today. Then write down the people He’s placed in your life to walk with you, encourage you, and help carry the weight.

Pray: Father, I don’t want to run from the work You’ve entrusted to me. But I confess I feel small and ill-equipped sometimes. I tend to get discouraged, distracted, and afraid. But thank You, oh God, for reminding me that I’m not building alone. Thank You for giving me Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people. Strengthen my hands and steady my heart, Father. Let me be faithful with the blueprint You’ve handed me, one brick at a time. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.