KINGDOM PAST
“He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for Me. And I will secure his throne forever. I will be his Father and he will be My Son. I will never take My favor from him as I took it from the one who ruled before you. I will confirm him as king over My house and My kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.”
1 Chronicles 17:12-14 (NLT)
This is the message that God spoke to the prophet Nathan to deliver to King David, who had desired to build a temple as a dwelling place for the Lord and to house the Ark of the Covenant, the representation of the presence of God. Nathan initially affirmed David and his intent to build a temple for the Lord, but then God spoke and instructed Nathan to tell David that He had different plans, in that one of David’s offspring (Solomon) would be the one to build the temple. Not only that, but also that God would secure an everlasting throne for His eternal kingdom through David and his offspring.
Essentially, God communicated to David that he (David) wouldn’t be the one to build a house for Him, but that it would ultimately be God Himself who builds an eternal House and Kingdom through David’s seed, and that throne will be secure forever! David could only devise a perishable plan, and Solomon could only build a perishable dwelling. Still, God’s plan was to build an eternal Kingdom through His redeeming love and mercy that endures forever.
APPLICATION: Like King David, I can often come up with plans that really seem good, solid, well-motivated and godly. I can even receive affirmation for those plans from other reputable and godly people from whom I have sought counsel. But did I first seek God, ask Him and listen for His voice? Today, lay your life and plans down before God. Ask Him for His direction. Listen for His voice. Follow Him.
PRAYER: God, just like You revealed to the prophet Nathan and to King David, thank You that Your ways are far higher and Your plans are far better than I can even imagine. Grant me, O God, Your wisdom and Your strength to walk in Your way, the way of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?