TAKING THE LONG VIEW
Opening Prayer
God, I trust You.
Read 1 Chronicles 17:1–15
God’s Promise to David
17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”
2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”
3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:
4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 5 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 6 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders[a] whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
7 “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. 8 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 like the names of the greatest men on earth. 9 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 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.
“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’”
15 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
Footnotes:
a 1 Chronicles 17:6 Traditionally judges; also in verse 10
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you ever had to wait a long time for something you really wanted?The covenant affirmations of God recorded here (8,9,10–14) are central to the purpose of the Chronicler. He is never concerned only with the facts. He wants us to understand the significance for God’s kingdom of the events taking place.
God’s promises come true in many ways. For example, the account here begins to bring to pass, through David, a commitment God made to his people centuries earlier. We can read about it in Deuteronomy 12. The amazing idea of God’s house has more than one possible meaning. It can be rightly understood as the household or dynasty, which God will build for David. Then the house is also the Temple, which Solomon will build for God. However, David’s impulsive and worthy desire to see a proper temple built now is a purpose of the Lord, which will only come true through David’s son. Even more multi-faceted, and ultimately most wonderful of all, are those prophetic words in verses 12 to 14.
Nathan, David and Solomon are fallible human beings. God’s word will ultimately be fulfilled only by Jesus himself.
Apply
What are you waiting on God for? Why are you waiting for that thing? Has God made a promise? Are you sure you know what the answer looks like? Give your expectations to God today.
Closing prayer
Ask God to give you a fresh patience; God’s promises may take time and may come true in ways we are not looking for.
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