Someone has said, “What is intrinsically good, and perceived to be for God’s glory, is not necessarily God’s will”
After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ “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. 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 great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 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 and have done ever since the time I appointed leader over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation. Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
- 2 Samuel 7:1-18
There are 4 types of heart that I want you to see in this passage this morning.
David had a:
1. Zealous heart
After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” [vs.1-2]
This amazes me - David has finished all his labours and his battles, he is sitting in his palace and what is he doing? He is thinking of God! He is thinking of ways and means by which he can glorify God, he can uplift the name of God, he can praise God within the nation and within the world.
When you’re resting from your weekly demands, does your heart immediately focus on the Lord, or are you like me and your thoughts and desires have an overwhelming selfish tint?
a. Because of earth’s blessings
David is sitting in a palace, a beautiful place, and he is resting from fighting. God had blessed David. BUT his success did not spoil his sanctification.
b. Because of heaven’s glory
David had a house – a magnificent house, but God didn’t have a house.
Is your heart zealous for the Lord or is it zealous for you?
2. Misguided heart
a. David had guidance from Scripture
But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.
Deuteronomy 12:10-11
b. David had guidance from Nathan, the prophet
Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” [v.3]
c. David had guidance from circumstances
According to 1 Chronicles 16 David appointed certain ministers to handle the ark, offerings and various religious duties. In fact he established a temple service that was used up until the time after Christ’s crucifixion when Herod’s temple was destroyed in AD 70.
It must be time for God to create a house for Himself! Scripture forecasted it, Nathan confirmed David’s desire to build it, and the time seemed so right.
d. David did not have guidance from God
David had a heart after what was good, but he didn’t have a heart after God – in this particular situation.
Are you seeking God’s guidance above all other sources of guidance?
3. Redirected heart
a. “Not YOU”
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?”
[v. 5]
b. “Not NOW”
I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ [vs. 6-7]
What do you do when God says “NO” or “NOT NOW”?
4. Trusting heart
a. God knew what was best
Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.
1 Chronicles 29:1-2
b. God would do something better
God’s purpose was larger than David could have imagined. David simply wanted to build a house for the ark of the Lord, but God had a bigger purpose. God’s purpose involved something larger.
The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you… 2 Samuel 7:11
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me: your throne will be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:16
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:12
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David…Matthew 1:1
God’s greater purpose in the plan for David’s life involved the Savior of the world. The temple that Solomon built is long gone. Jesus is still on the throne.
Are you trusting God no matter what?
