God says "no" to a temple for the Ark

2 Samuel Chapter 7

When the Lord had brought peace to Israel and King David was settled in his palace, David summoned Nathan the prophet and told him that he was in the palace, yet the Ark was out in a tent! Nathan replied, "Go ahead and do what you have in mind, for the Lord is with you."

But that same night the Lord told Nathan to go tell David, "Are you the one to build me a temple to live in? I have never lived in a temple, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until now. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another. And I have never once complained to Israel's leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, " Why haven't you built me a beautiful cedar temple?"

"Now go," said the Lord, "and say to my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I chose you to lead my people Israel when you were just a shepherd boy, tending your sheep in the pasture. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies. Now I will make your name famous throughout the earth! And I have provided a permanent homeland for my people Israel, a secure place where they will never be disturbed. It will be their own land where wicked nations won't oppress them as they did in the past, from the time I appointed judges to rule my people. And I will keep you safe from your enemies.

"'And now the Lord declares that he will build a house for you- a dynasty of kings! For when you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house-a temple-for my name. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. if he sins, I will use other nations to punish him. But my unfailing love will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed before you. Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.'" And Nathan went back and told David all the Lord had said.

Then David went and prayed before the Lord and asked, "who am I . . and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now you speak of giving me a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way. What more can I say? You know what I am really like. . . David told the Lord he knew there was no other God and he praised God for performing miracles and driving out other nations and gods and for making Israel his people. His prayer continued with thanks and asked the Lord to confirm his promise that his dynasty would last forever and to establish it in the presence of God himself. And lastly, David thanked God for the eternal dynasty he would build and to bless him and his family forever. David's prayer is beautiful and I hope you read it in verses 18 thru 29.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The covenant with David would culminate with the birth of Jesus Christ.In this chapter we meet the prophet Nathan. The prophet's main tasks were to urge people to follow God and to communicate God's laws and plans to the king. In his message from Nathan, God is saying he doesn't want David to build a temple for him. Instead David's task was to unify and lead Israel and destroy the enemies of Israel. Later David made plans and collected material so a temple could be built, but it was so Solomon could build it. God did not reject David, but gave him something greater in his life - when Jesus Christ become a direct descendant.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? God told David no to building a temple for the Ark. Does God tell you no, on occasion or much of the time? Hard to take isn't it? David had to have great faith to listen to the word "no". Yet often God is not rejecting you, but rather guiding you in a different way for a different purpose. You too, must have great faith to accept this "no" from God. Just remember God has good reason for saying "no", you must listen with your heart to hear what he truly has in mind for you!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed.
Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing.
Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly.
Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.