Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17.
Many people in the religious world simply do what they please in their service to God, expecting God to accept whatever they decide to do. David’s plan to build a house for the ark of the covenant reminds us that this is not the case.
“And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under curtains.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.’
“It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell David My servant, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, “Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?” ‘ ” ‘” (1 Chronicles 17:1-6).
David’s intentions were good. He recognized that he was blessed and wanted to do something to honor God. But Nathan was too quick to endorse David’s plan. Anytime we wish to do anything in service to God, we must consult the word of God first to see if our plans will actually please God.
Nathan, as a prophet, miraculously received the word of God to inform him that David’s plan was not in harmony with God’s plan. We do not have the same direct revelation today, but we do have the revealed will of God in Scripture. The Scriptures perfectly equip us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, if we consult the Scriptures and cannot find our plan commanded or authorized, then we must not presume to think that God will be pleased.
Tomorrow’s reading: Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
