2 Samuel 7

Jun 16, 2022    Pastor Daryl Zachman

“LORD, remember David And all his afflictions; how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ‘Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.’” (Psalm 132:1–5, NKJV)

David wanted to build a house for the LORD. He didn’t think it was right for him to live in a palace of cedar while the LORD lived in a tent. He shared his desire with the prophet Nathan who told him, “Do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But then the LORD spoke to Nathan that night, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? I have never lived in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day… I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders... I have never asked them, ‘Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?’’” Evidently, David’s expectations were different from God’s. A house for the LORD would be built, but not by David.

Instead, the LORD told David, “I will build you a house—a dynasty of kings. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” David wanted to do something for God, but God wanted to do something for David. David was overwhelmed.

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, ‘Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, Sovereign LORD, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?’” (2 Samuel 7:18–19, NLT)

It is human nature to want to do something to please God. This is the essence of religion. But God wants to do something for His people. He wants to bless us! He wants to provide a secure home for us and protect us from our enemies (vv. 10-11). We may think that our relationship with God is based upon our faithfulness to Him, but in fact it is based upon His faithfulness to us. This is the essence of grace. What can we do except to praise the LORD for His goodness and thank Him for His tender mercies?