Vision and Promise
Opening Prayer
Faithful God, I thank and praise You that Your Word is totally true and all Your promises are fully reliable.
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 palace 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] 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 and from following the flock to be 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 of the 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 fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, 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 the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. [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 Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What promise and correction did God give David?David’s reign was becoming well established, his palace is built. It seems inappropriate that the ark was housed in a tent when he lived in a palace. Perhaps that was something David needed to attend to; a fresh vision was emerging.
God’s response through Nathan was a picture of the future beyond anything David could have imagined. David’s purpose was not to secure a building for God; he was to win battles to secure peace for God’s people (1 Kings 5:3). Building the temple was someone else’s role at a later date (ch. 13). Still there was more: God’s call to David was part of salvation’s story, unlike Saul’s whose hope for a dynasty was dashed because of his own disobedience (15). God would build David a house, a dynasty that would last forever; the promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
As we take stock of our lives, new dreams and plans may rise to the surface, things we want to do for God or things we hope God will do for us. We, too, are part of a bigger story; our lives are woven into God’s plan for human history. Let’s take time today to seek God about his plans for our lives.
Apply
Ponder how God has led you this far and what his plan is for your life going forward from today.
Closing prayer
Loving Lord, I know that You are leading me each day and have a good plan and purpose for my life. I thank You.
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