TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Jessica Shau

In 2 Samuel 7:1–17, we see King David settled in his palace and given rest from his enemies. David consults the prophet Nathan about building a palace for the Lord. Nathan replied to David, “Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you” (1 Chronicles 17:2). That same night, God told Nathan to tell David that he would not be the one to build a house for God to live in. At that time, the tabernacle had always just been in a test, moving from one place to another, yet God never complained about not having a temple. God told Samuel to remind David that He took him from being a shepherd to a leader of the Israelites. God had been with David everywhere and had destroyed all of David’s enemies. God promised David the following things: 

1. David would be as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth
2. God would provide a homeland for the Israelites, planting them in a secure place where they would not be disturbed
3. David’s family would be a dynasty of kings, and his son would build a temple for the Lord

David wanted something temporary for the Lord, but God wanted to build something eternal for David. The temple was something temporary that would eventually be destroyed during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. God wanted to build David a house that would not be destroyed. He promised that the throne of David’s son would be secure forever. Through the passage, I learned the following things: 

1. God’s Timing. Often, I want to rush into doing things for God without consulting with Him first. When I think that God is telling me to do something, I want to obey immediately. Sometimes, God tells us to wait or not to do it because He intends for someone else to do it. 
2. Godly Counsel. If David has not consulted with Samuel about building the temple and God has not spoken through Samuel, David might have built the temple. This shows the importance of coming to God in prayer first before doing anything and the importance of having godly people in our lives whom we can seek counsel from. Do you have godly people in your lives whom you can approach?

God’s Blessing. God did not have to create us, but He chose to. He did not have to die on the cross for our sins, but He wanted to. There is nothing we can give God that He does not have because He is God. God created us for His glory, and we are to live for this purpose.

REFLECTION

Let’s ask and reflect:

1. What is something you want to do for God that you need to consult with Him first?
2. Do you have mature Christians in your life whom you can come to for advice? If there’s none, what can you do to have these people in your life? If yes, show your appreciation to them by sending them a thank you message.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You for creating me and dying on the cross in my place. Thank You for everything that You have blessed me with. Please help me to be sensitive and to have an open ear to hear what You are telling me. Please help me to obey You with all my heart. Thank You for the godly people that You have placed in my life whom I can seek counsel. I pray that I may continue to grow in my relationship with You and seek You day by day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.