A Great Covenant
Opening Prayer
Jesus, You are the root and offspring of David, and I worship You as King over God’s house forever.
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
[1] After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, [2] he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” [3] Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” [4] But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: [5] “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? [6] I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. [7] Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”‘ [8] “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. [9] I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. [10] And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning [11] and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: [12] When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [14] I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. [15] But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. [16] Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'” [17] Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What has God promised to you?David’s motive to build a house for God was to recognize God’s significance. David felt uncomfortable living in better-quality accommodation than God (2), but God never commanded a house of worship to be built for him. He cared much more about the quality of worship that his people offered him and the wholehearted love of their hearts.Nathan immediately agreed with David’s request (3) because it seemed to be a good idea and David was gaining a reputation as a wise king. However, that same night (4), God corrects Nathan. Instead, God promises that he will build a “royal house” for David, a dynasty to endure forever (11b-16). The special descendant of David will be the Son of God, Jesus, born in Bethlehem, home of David (1 Sam. 16:4). We may have dreams to serve God which may not be in accordance with God’s plan for our life. Rather than being disappointed with God’s reaction to David’s idea, David listened carefully to Nathan and laid aside his plan to build a house for God. The Temple which we read about later in the Old Testament was built not by David but by his son Solomon (1 Kings 5-8).
Apply
Pray that God will help you to listen to him better and to be prepared to follow him even if it means changing your plans.
Closing prayer
Lord, my life is Yours. I know that You will make me great. I want only what You want, Lord. Be blessed in me.
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