WHEN GOD SAYS “NO” 2 SAMUEL 7:1-29

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.

Repentance that Leads to Reconciliation

Repentance is the only  way to restore our relationship with God that was broken by the sins we committed against Him. For example David penned Psalm 51 when he was at low point in his life. He had sinned with Bathsheba and had even ordered the murder of Uriah her husband in an attempt to cover his sin. David may have thought that he had gotten by, but the Lord had witnessed it all. After God sent Nathan, the prophet, to confront him regarding his sin, David’s heart was pricked and he desired repentance.

David was a man who walked with God and yet he missed the mark, but his heart to repent and remorse over the sin he committed against God elevated him to the level of being a man after God’s own heart. David’s sin in no way advocates that we can sin and get by with it, but there is comfort found through what David had committed against God.

There is hope, forgiveness and restoration for those who truly repent from their sins and seek for God’s mercy. God stands ready to forgive, but we must confess our sin and return to Him. Rom.5:20 says “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”: 1 Jn.1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. If you are at a distance, the Lord desires to restore you. Why not come as He leads? You don’t have to remain away from Him.

Failures are not Finals

For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again,

Proverbs 24:16.

One thing which is common to all mankind is that we all fail. There isn’t one out there who hasn’t failed – some perhaps more than others. Failure is the inevitable price of trying to do something. Abraham Lincoln said, “Those who never fail: never does much of anything.” The Bible also has meaningful words to say about this – these are the words of the wise man Solomon: For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, Proverbs 24:16. We can all relate well “failure” along with some of famous Biblical characters as such as Jacob, King David and Simon Peter. Bible is the true Word of God therefore God allowed His prophets and Apostles to record their failures with the purpose to teach us that God is faithful and mighty enough to enable us to overcome our failures if only we truly repent from our sins and weaknesses.

Jacob is one of the most important characters in the Old Testament. If we look at Jacob's life, we soon recognize that the Bible does not cover up the weaknesses and frailty of its heroes. Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s inheritance, Genesis 27:19. Jacob, though not a qualified and not a very attractive person, was loved by God. In Genesis chapter 28 verses 10-22 we read Jacob’s transforming encounter with God. God revealed Himself to Jacob and called that place “Bethel” which means "the house of God." It's the place where he met the Lord. Meeting God at Bethel transformed Jacob's life. Our failures and weakness are nothing before God, He wants to take our life, turn it into a trophy of grace, and bring you to the place where you see that His hand has always been on you. He wants to turn that failure into a blessing. Jacob was a liar by nature therefore he was named Jacob which means "conniver" or "liar," and that's what he was. It was hard for him to do right. He was just moving through life from one failure to another. But God met Him at Bethel and his life was transformed completely. Are you frustrated and distressed over your repeated failure? There's a ladder that goes from Earth to heaven. His name is Jesus, and He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He wants to transform you from a failure into a success.

Let us also consider the case of King David who had the privilege to enjoy God’s favour wherever he went (2 Samuel 8: 6, 14). David sinned against God who choose him to become a king over Israel. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and mercilessly killed her husband Uriah the Hittite to make her his wife 2 Samuel 11 and 12.  As a result of his sin David had lost his peace of mind, his joy of salvation, and a good conscience. However God was not finished with His servant. God sent His prophet Nathan to confront and to convict David of his sin that he committed against God. God was displeased with David and reminded him the blessings that He added in David’s life apart from anointing David to be the King over Israel. David despised God in spite all the blessings and benefits that he had enjoyed from God 2 Samuel 12:1-14. When Prophet Nathan confronted David, he then immediately appealed God for mercy, he neither excuse himself nor attach blame to Bathsheba.  He confessed that he alone is responsible for this sin against God. He pleaded for a clean heart, and entreated God to restore the joy of salvation that he had. He fell before God with broken spirit and with contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

God responded to David’s deep contrition and made David as an example how the broken man becomes the blessed man (Psalm 32). Psalms 32 describes God's sovereign grace upon a repented sinner. David was forgiven and counted as blessed counted blessed (Psalms 32: 1-2). The moment David repented and placed his trust upon God, God became his hiding place and surrounded him with the songs of praise and with His loving-kindness (Psalms 32: 7-10). Dear friends, failure are not final. God can freely forgive, restore, and use once more the man who shows genuine repentance for his sin. The Scriptures abound with promises of God’s ability to keep us from falling all of our days, provided we genuinely wish to follow Him (2 Timothy 1:12, Jude 24).

Roy Riegels was a star player, played for the California Golden Bears. He played against Georgia Tech fumble in 1929 Rose Bowl tournament. During the first half of the game he ran sixty-nine yards—in the wrong direction. A teammate finally caught up with him and turned him around just before he scored for the other team. His misplay created a change in field position that eventually resulted in points for Georgia Tech. When the first half was over the distressed Riegels hesitated to meet his coach because of guilty feeling. When he saw his coach he howled bitterly and said to him “coach, I can’t do it,” he continued “I've ruined you, I've ruined myself, I've ruined the University of California. I couldn't face the crowd to save my life.” The coach hugged Riegels with love and calmly told him, “Roy, get up and go back out there—the game is only half over.”

Dear friends, if you have made a thousand new beginnings in the past and have come to failure, you can still make the 1001st new beginning today. God can still make something glorious out of your life. While there is life, there is hope. So, never fail to trust God. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” God has marked out a course for each of us, and sometimes that course includes failure. But when we cling to the Savior, even our failures can be turned into successes by the One who controls all things and who strengthens us in our weakness (Philippians 4:11-13). Our ultimate victory in Jesus is assured, but complete victory will only come when we are out of this world of temptation and safe in the arms of the Lord in heaven

The Joy of Christmas

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John the Baptist answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Luke 3:10-11. This Scripture verse invites us to place our emphasis on the right thing that we may not miss the simple joys of commemorating the birth of the Holy One of Bethlehem. The real joy of Christmas comes not in receiving instead in giving and making Jesus our Saviour the reason for the season. He came forth from heaven to earth to establish the kingdom of God in us. He lived among us, and He died for us. What can we, in return, give to Him? Read the heart touching words penned by the English poet Christina Rossetti:

                                             What can I give Him, Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a Wise Man I would do my part,

Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.

There is a story about a little boy who checked the presents under the tree every day. As he checked to see if any new presents had been added, he grouped the presents together according to the names on the gifts. Then, after he had them arranged, he counted the gifts. One day, he discovered that his sister had more gifts under the tree than he did. He became very upset and ran into the kitchen where his mother was preparing dinner. "Katie has more presents under the Christmas tree than I do!" the little boy cried. Then he turned and ran from the room. He went to his room, closed the door, and sat pouting. He couldn't even enjoy the Christmas season because he was so upset that someone else had more gifts under the tree than he did. What that this little boy did not understand was that the real joy of Christmas is not in how many gifts we receive, but in sharing what we have with others.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. He told them to repent of their sins and prepare their hearts for the coming of the promised Messiah. "What should we do?" they asked. John answered them, "If you have two coats, give one of them to the one who has none. If you have food, share it with those who have none." That is the same message we need to hear today as we look forward to Christmas. If we want to experience the real joy that Jesus wants for us, then we must learn to share! By sharing what God has so generously given to us, we will receive an even greater gift -- the gift of joy.

Right Christmas with the Right Master

Right Christmas with the Right Master

LUKE 2:1-20

This passage helps us to know and to understand the foundation of right Christmas. The trees, the decorations, the lights, and the presents are only the signs of traditional Christmas. In reality, this type of traditional Christmas makes us rush around, push us to spend our money on useless things and perverts the real sense of Christmas into a major hassle. God is not interested in our outward celebrations instead He is interested in our having a right Christmas. This text tells us how to have a right Christmas. Having right Christmas will bring changes in our hearts and minds and it will allow Christmas to be a time of blessing and wonder instead of being a time of stress and mere celebration.

YOU NEED THE RIGHT MASTER (V: 1-20): Having right Master is to having right Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season thus He is the centre of Christmas without Him our Christmas is nothing but mere celebration. The first celebrants had Jesus at the centre of their Christmas; He was the Master of their Christmas. First, In Luke 1:38 we see the drastic change in Mary’s life she moved from question to commitment. In this verse she makes a decision, “Be it done to me.” William Barclay writes that world’s commonest prayer is, “Thy will be changed.” But here Mary refused the world’s commonest prayer and prayed the world’s greatest prayer: “Thy will be done.” Second, God was the master of Joseph’s dream and desire. He had dream and desire to start his life with Mary but suddenly an angel appeared to him and explained him about God’s will in their lives Matthew 1:18-25. From that moment Joseph renounced all his desire and allowed God to be the Master of his plans. He yielded himself to take care of the expectant mother as best he could. When the time came and the baby was born, Joseph did the job of the father, he named the boy Jesus. Naming the child was the responsibility of the Father, Luke 1:63. He embraced the plan of God for his life; he yielded himself to the will of God to take care of the child as his own. In short Joseph gave up all his plans that he had and completely yielded himself to God’s plan to be the surrogate human father to the Messiah! Third, the wise men from east followed the star till they found Jesus, thus God was their Master all through their ways.

Let God be the Mater of our decisions, thought and actions not just in theory but in real-life and in our day-to-day living! God is not interested in claiming Him as our Lord instead He is more concerned whether we let Him to be the Lord in all the aspects of our life. It is sad to see those who claim that Jesus is Lord, live in open rebellion to His teachings. It seems that the Lordship of Jesus is simply just another title that he holds. 

Let us have right Master in this season to have right Christmas. Do you have a right Christmas? If not, commit yourself into His mighty hands and allow Him to be the Master of your will, plan, desire and your ways. Come to Jesus and let Him give you the best Christmas you ever had!

Growing Faith and Non-Growing Trials

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind……………………..He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Trials and sufferings will remain same forever it will neither grow nor evolve to the next stage. They can’t grow any bigger but our faith can. The more trials and sufferings we face the more matured and stronger Christians we become.  We have promise in the Bible that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle and in all things will provide a way out of the test (1 Corinthians 10:13). This does not mean He will remove the trial from us. Rather, He will provide us the “way out” to reach the other side of it by His grace and power that we may become stronger and more matured Christians.

In 1924, two climbers were part of an expedition that set out to conquer Mount Everest. As far as is known, they never reached the summit; and they never returned. Somewhere on that gigantic mountain they were overpowered by the elements and died. After the failure of the expedition, the rest of the party returned home. Addressing a meeting in London, one of those who returned described the ill-fated adventure. He then turned to a huge photograph of Mount Everest, mounted on the wall behind him. "Everest," he cried, "we tried to conquer you once, but you overpowered us. We tried to conquer you a second time, but again you were too much for us. But, Everest, I want you to know that we are going to conquer you, for you can't grow any bigger, and we can!" (Gene Getz Doing Your Part, Regal: 1984, 152-3). There is no valley so dark that His light cannot prevail, no affliction so grievous that He cannot prevent. Through all our trails and sufferings God enables us and supports us, and in the end He will overrule it to our advantage. 

Mary: Who She Was (and Wasn't)

Mary: Who She Was (and Wasn't)