The Best Plan
It is a wise saying, that if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans. We often go about planning and pursuing our own goals without truly taking the time to seek God and His will. And we get frustrated when our plans fail to be realized. In 2 Samuel (7:4-17), king David’s plans were overridden by God. And David learned that God’s plans are always better than ours. I pray that you will diligently seek God’s plan for your life and that you will be blessed even greater as a result of seeking His will. Amen
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? (2 Sam. 7:4-7)
God spoke to Nathan, the prophet, regarding His plan vs. David’s plan. David desired to build a temple for the Lord. David had not sought God to see what God’s plan and desire was relative building a temple for His earthly dwelling place. Since David had not sought the Lord’s input, God expressed His desire regarding the building of a temple to Nathan with instructions for Nathan to relay the message to David.
”’ “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 leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. (2 Sam. 7:8-11a)
Having expressed His desire that David would not be the one to build Him a permanent dwelling, God then gave Nathan an additional message. While David wouldn’t be allowed to build God a permanent dwelling, Nathan was directed by God to tell David that He would bless David and Israel with peace from all of their enemies. Additionally, God would bless David to have a name among the greatest people in all the earth.
“‘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. (2 Sam. 7:11b-17)
Nathan revealed to David what God had spoken to him. He told David that he would not be the one to build the Lord’s house, it would be one of David’s sons who would have that honor. David’s son would have a special relationship with God (“I will be his father…”). Additionally, God would establish David’s house. He would establish David’s name forever and he would be the first in a dynastic lineage. David would have a descendant on the throne forever.
King David was formulating a plan to build a permanent place to house the articles used in worship and to be God’s dwelling place on earth. David intended it to be an upgrade to the moveable tent of the tabernacle built under Moses during Israel’s time wandering in the wilderness. But as is always the case, God’s plans are better than ours. God’s plan was not to allow David to build Him a house, but to build David a “house” (a dynasty) that would last forever and make his a name that would be among the greatest in all the earth. God reminded David and us all to look to Him for guidance and follow His plan, rather than prioritizing our own plans over His. And the most important part of God’s plan was to bring the Savior of the world, Jesus, through David’s line of descendants. In Jesus, God would fulfill His promise to David to have one of His descendants reign on the throne forever and fulfill His promise to Abraham to bless all people through his seed (Gen 12:2-3; Gen 22:18). Yes, God’s plans are always better than our plans. And in His plan of salvation through Jesus, we have God’s very best plan for our lives!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
