By Debra Birner
Have you ever wanted to do something great for God?
For some of us, we may want to help another person, maybe feed them when they are hungry. Maybe that’s something we want to do for God. Our Pastor has grown our church in many ways and preached all over the world – he has done something great for God. On Saturdays, some of us go out and knock on doors of people we don’t even know, to tell them how they can put their trust in Jesus Christ and be saved – we are trying to do something great for God.
Well, King David wanted to do something great for God. In II Samuel 7:1-3, we read:
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
The great King David had built for himself a house of cedar. King David loved the Lord. And he wanted to do something great for God. He looked at what he had and thought, “Wow, I want to build a house for God.” He was excited and went to God’s man and said, "Hey, I want to build a house for God.”
But then, we read the next verses: II Samuel 7:4-7 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
Have you ever wanted to do something great for God, just to find out that’s not what God wanted from you? Disappointing?
Sometimes, we go through life our own way, and we know we are not going in the direction God has for us. But sometimes, we feel like God throws us a curve. We think we are doing right, but then we find out God has different plans.
Let’s listen to the rest of this discussion that King David is having with Nathan and with God…
Beginning in II Samuel 7:8, we read: Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 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; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies.
God is saying to David, let’s talk for a minute about doing great things ... let’s talk about the great things I have done for you. I took you when you were nothing, just a shepherd boy. I made you into a great king. You talk of building a house – I make a place for my people. "I will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own." I have given my people rest.
God is saying I am the great provider. I can make you into something. I have made you a great king. I have provided for the people that you lead. You have rest from your enemies that you may enjoy what I have given you.
But there’s more .... with God, there is always more.
What is God’s response to David wanting to build him a house? He says no, you won’t build me a house ....
Let’s finish verse 11, where we stopped short before the end: II Samuel 7:11 (end part) Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
Wait a minute ... did God just say, no, you won’t build me a house. I will build you a house?
David is saying to God, I want to do something great for you ... and God says, No, David – I want to do something great for you!
Oh, yes, that’s exactly what he said, because he also says it in I Chronicles 17:10 (last part): Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
Psalm 37:4 says: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
When we delight in God, he wants to give us the desire of our heart – but I’ll tell you something else – He gives me even more than I desire. Because I don’t always desire what’s best for me. He gives me what I need.
Why is God going to build a house for David? Because David is going to need one!
There is some discussion about David’s son building a house for God, and then we read in II Samuel 7:25: And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
And in I Chronicles 17:25, David is speaking: For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
What is God preparing for you?
Let’s look at John 14:2-3: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.