July 13, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

David’s Dream House

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Opening Prayer

Generous God, You have given me so much. I long to be a cheerful and humble giver, bringing praise and glory to You.

Read 1 Chronicles 17:1-15

[1] 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 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.

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

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior” (Psa. 25:4-5).

We all know people who keep looking for new challenges. No sooner do they achieve one goal than they are ready for the next. David was like that. Although he sang about the refreshment of God’s green pastures and still waters (Psa. 23), his life story suggests he was often an activist as well as a contemplative. Once he had built his own royal house, he turned his attention to building a house for the Lord. He was challenged by the incongruity that he had provided the eternal King with a simple tent while he, a humble human king, was accommodated with such grandeur. Maybe he felt guilty; maybe grateful.

Seeking wisdom beyond his own, David ran his concept by Nathan–in his first recorded conversation with the prophet who became a long-term spiritual adviser. Nathan initially concurred, but he soon came back with a radically different message from the Lord: there would indeed be a house for the king, but not as the king envisaged. David himself would not build a physical house for the Lord–who did not require such a human style of dwelling (Acts 7:44-49; 2 Chron. 6:18). Instead, the Lord would build a dynastic “house” for David (10), securing the Davidic line forever.

This would have been a significant revelation for David, as genealogical succession had not been the pattern of Israel’s monarchy. It would fall to his son–not named here–to build the house for the Lord. Then the cryptic hint of an even greater promise is revealed. The Jews of the Chronicler’s time would hang on to this promise of “great David’s greater Son,” even when their city and Temple had been destroyed and the monarchy aborted (1 Chron. 3:10-24). We now understand the significance of Nathan’s message to David, fully revealed many centuries later in his descendant, Jesus Christ.

Apply

“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails” (Prov. 19:21, The Message). How easily do you defer to God when his plans don’t coincide with yours? How can you remedy this tendency?

Closing prayer

Sovereign God, when Your ways are not my ways, may I always defer to You. I acknowledge that You always have the last word.

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