July 27, 2018 Friday

“1 ¶  Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2  that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 3  Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 4 ¶  But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5  “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6  “For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7  “Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ”’ 8  “Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9  “And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10  “Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11  “since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 12  “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13  “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14  “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.” (2Samuel 7:1-14 NKJV)

            When we first receive Jesus as our Savior many have a real excitement and a desire to serve God in some way. It is very easy to rush ahead of God even while trying to serve God. Sometimes the most dangerous thing is a brand-new Christian. In their excitement about what God has done for them they can put off those they try to reach out to.

            After all God had done for David he wanted to do something for God in return. We cannot be sure if it was an expression of gratitude or a belief of David he owed God for all God had done for him. Humans often struggle with gifts from God either by believing they deserve the gifts or believing they need to repay.

            For whatever reason David got ahead of God and something that was a right thing was wrong because of the timing! Only after David already had decided to build the temple did he talk with Nathan. Nathan then agreed with David without seeking God’s will.

            Their excitement and planning came to a halt as God showed David and Nathan who was the source of power and wisdom. Not only was David not to build God a house but God was going to make of David a house! God was not going to build David a building but through David a family, a lineage and a house would come Jesus Christ the Messiah!

            There was no way David could understand what God was doing and that this was a prophecy the Messiah would come from the house of David just as we today cannot understand what God will do to bring about the second coming of Jesus as portrayed in the book of Revelation.

            As Christians we must seek to learn God’s will rather than seeking for God to bless our will! It is too easy to make our decisions and plans without even consulting God and then depend on God to bless our plans. We even get mad at God if our plans don’t work out.

            As Christians we must seek God’s will for us and for those we pray for. By seeking God’s will all of our works will be joined together and the whole will be bigger than the parts and God will be glorified! Rather than us!

            Do you have a desire to serve and glorify God? Through prayer do you allow the Holy Spirit to not just guide you to God’s will but also give you the wisdom and strength to complete it? Who is in charge of your life you or God?