Everything was assembled and prepared.  Solomon had David’s plans and David’s vision, but the temple wasn’t going to build itself.  There’s a good reason that David told his son to be strong and courageous.  Big projects are hard and scary.  Having a strategy is a good idea before starting any new endeavor, but we sometimes get so caught up in “planning” that we forget the “doing.” It’s easy to make lists and devise strategies, but wrapping those plans in shoe leather and walking them out is another matter entirely. 

God also has big plans, plans for us individually and plans for the earth as a whole.  Just like David, He’s provided us with all the materials and the blueprints.  Just like Solomon, we have to put aside fear and procrastination in order to make those plans come to fruition. 

The good news is that God doesn’t intend for us to do the work all by ourselves.  Paul reminds the Philippians that, “… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)  However, God never intends us to sit idly by as spectators.  In Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” 

Remember Joshua?  He had a big project and big shoes to fill.  It was his dubious honor to lead the ever-so-faithful Israelites into the Promised Land.  Problem was, it was already occupied by some rather fierce folk who weren’t too keen on leaving.  Not exactly a small undertaking, but luckily Joshua had a big God.  God told Joshua in front of everyone, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) 

If we are following God’s plan for our lives, we can be assured that He will help us.  So, how do we know that we are following God’s plans and not just our own?  Proverbs 16:3 encourages us to “commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  Are we asking God to bless our plans and to lead us the right direction or are we just informing Him of our decision? 

Solomon oversaw the construction, but he used the plans and materials that his father had assembled.  The result was a temple of unparalleled splendor.  Using God’s materials, God’s plans and our own dogged determination, we too could accomplish great things, perhaps even change the world.