In this passage we read that David had a desire to build a temple
for God and he wished to build a permanent dwelling place for God who was his
refuge. Since the time the Tabernacle had been built during the days of Moses;
God’s presence had dwelt in the Holy of Holies of that temporary building. David wanted to give the Lord a proper,
permanent place to manifest His glorious presence. As David sat in his palace,
he felt guilty that he lived in the lap of such luxury when the presence of God
lived inside of a tent. David believed
that God of such glory should have a house befitting to His majesty. The
careful study of the text reveals us the fact that David had no ulterior
motives behind his desire to build permanent place for God his Lord. His only desire
was to see the Lord glorified and honored.
He wanted God to be exalted and he wanted the Lord to receive the glory
and honor that He deserved.
But in verses 4-17 we
read that that God sent His prophet
Nathan to tell David that his dream to build a temple for God was not from the
Lord. David was willing to accept God’s plan though his plan to build a temple
for God was not approved by God. Unlike us who pout when we do not get our way,
David just praised the Lord because He trusted God and knew God would do that
which is best all the time in the life of His children! In his prayer, David
revealed a heart that is willing to accept God’s plan, even though it is not
what he originally wanted to do. The
thrust of David’s prayer in verses 27-29
is “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” This is one of the reasons why David
is called “a man after God’s Own heart.”
In response to David’s obedience to God’s perfect will and plan, God
made new covenant with David which is commonly known as Davidic covenant. As
per this covenant with David God promised him that David’s son Solomon would be
blessed and build the temple. Apart from Solomon another Son of David would rule
forever and build a lasting House. This Son is none other than the Promised
Messiah, Jesus Christ, whom Matthew called “Son of David” in Matthew 21:9. Thus
God promised David that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage
of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure
forever.
David was not allowed to build the Lord’s Temple. But, he was allowed to make preparations for
the fulfillment of the dream. In 1
Chron. 22:1-19; David prepared all the materials necessary for the construction
of the building. In 1 Chron. 28:1-17,
David gave Solomon the plans and the instructions necessary to fulfill the
dream. So, in the end, David was still a
part of seeing the dream accomplished.
It did not happen as he planned it, but he still got to be part of God’s
plan; and that is a dream which come true! If
there is anything for us to remember from this message it is this:
sometimes you will not see your dreams fulfilled until you are willing to let
them go forever. You have to be willing
to adopt God’s dream as your own. When
that happens, you will get to see all your dreams come true!
What can we glean from
these verses? The dreams that we have for our lives
may not part of God’s plan for our lives. When God says “No” to our plans know
that it is not to defeat us or to discourage us. He does it because He has something far
better than we could have ever imagined and planned for us. God didn’t want
David to build a temple that is subject to destruction. God’s plan in David’s
life was his name to be remembered forever and ever.
What should be our
response when God says “No”? We should first remember that, today what we are is because of His pure and
perfect grace. Second, we should
acknowledge the fact that He is the Potter and we are but the clay. We should assume the place of a humble child
before His presence and trust Him to do that which is best to His eyes. Third, Our goal in life should not be
to reach our dreams; but to see His perfect will carried out in our lives. Remember that there is no greater honor than
being used by the Lord to bring glory to His name, even it isn’t the way we
hoped it would happen, 1 Cor. 10:31.
