To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

 

 

2 Samuel 7:1-17 NIV

 

David had good intentions.  God had given Jerusalem into his hands, and he had a beautiful palace made of cedar to live in.  But the ark of God was still in the same old tent (the Tabernacle) it had been in for years.  David felt guilty.  The Lord had brought him this wonderful victory, given him the holy city of Jerusalem, had allowed him to have this beautiful palace, while the Lord’s dwelling place resided in a shabby old tent.  No one could fault David’s noble intentions when he said he wanted to build a temple for the Lord.  His heart was right… but his request was denied.

 

God was not rejecting David himself with His “no” to David’s request… far from it.  God had much greater plans for David… plans far beyond David’s vision.  But God’s plan and purpose for David were not to build the temple.  The job of building God’s temple would not rest in the hands of a warrior.  That job would be given to Solomon, the peacemaker.

 

You and I can have intentions that are just as noble as David’s.  We can want very badly to do something for the Lord, something that we, like David, have reasoned is His purpose for us.  All our logic agrees with us.  Our hearts are right.  We’re living for the Lord and doing everything we can for him.  We have this great idea, this wonderful thing we could do for the Lord.  So we ask Him… and He says no. 

 

If this happens to you, don’t be disheartened.  Perhaps, like David, God has something much greater in mind for you than you can envision.  Remember, He sees with eternal eyes.  Only He holds the entire script.  You and I can only see one page at a time.  Rejoice in His sovereign wisdom and mercy and continue to seek His will.  At the right time, He’ll reveal it to you.  Then you will understand His “no.”