God’s Promise to David
7 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 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. 7 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?”’
God is saying that he does not want David to build a temple for him. God told David that his job was to unify and lead Israel to destroy its enemies. After learning this, David made the plans and collected the materials so that his son, Solomon, could begin the work on the Temple as soon as he became king. David accepted his part in God’s plan and did not try to go beyond it or change it. Sometimes God says no to our plans because he has a plan for you. It may be hard to accept sometimes, but know that God’s plans are far better for us. He knows what is best for us, so the next time your plans are changed use the other opportunities that God gives you to bring honor and glory to God, as well as, purpose and peace to your life.
