June 10, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 23
EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Make consulting God first 'Plan A,' not 'Plan B'
___2 Samuel 7:1-5, 11b-13, 18, 21, 25-27
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___Christian leaders often are faced with important decisions. Sometimes the means to the end of knowing God's will takes numerous detours.
___For example, when a church is faced with the decision to remain where they are or relocate, there are several choices with various implications. If they stay, they will need to engage in a building campaign to restore and modernize an old building. If they choose to relocate, they will have to find an existing structure that meets their needs or purchase land to build. Making the right decision is not easy. Seeking God is the most important task. The question is not "to build" or "not to build." The ultimate question is, "what would God have us do?"
___The lesson begins with David sharing his desire to build God a house. He had noble intentions. God had dramatically demonstrated his pleasure with David by making him king of Israel. David realized the Lord was with him through all he had experienced. After all, he was "a man after God's own heart."
___Building God a temple seemed the proper thing to do. God had blessed him to live in a house of cedar, while the tabernacle of God's presence with his people dwelled in a tent.
___David shared his heart's desire with Nathan the prophet. Nathan could not think of any reason David should not do what he planned. However, both men failed to follow the most essential order--they did not consult God first.
___We must not be too harsh in criticizing their initial actions. Consider what most of us do when we are faced with difficult decisions. How often do we call the church together to simply inquire of God, rather than asking his blessing on the plans we have already made? One fast-growing church has changed its procedure of holding business meetings. They now call the congregation together to discern God's direction rather than discuss what they want.
___Human plan
___David was at the top of a career. He had been anointed king over Israel. He was no longer on the run from Saul. He had taken the stronghold of Zion and moved the capital to the Jebusite city and renamed it Jerusalem. He "was settled in his palace" (v. 1). The Lord had blessed him and "given him rest from all his enemies around him" (v. 1).
___He shared his plan with Nathan. The prophet told him to "go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you" (vv. 2-3). This was a human plan. Nathan had acted prematurely and not sought God before responding to David with God's blessing.
___As believers in the Lord, we will make some important decisions. We have the choice of choosing a human plan or the divine plan. Seek God's plan and follow his way (Proverbs 3:5-6).
___Divine correction
___"That night" (v. 1) indicates God immediately made known to Nathan he had not first consulted God before giving an answer. Nathan is presented for the first time in this passage. He will be an important counselor and adviser to David for the rest of his reign. Nathan will be used by God in two crucial times--he rebukes David after his sins of adultery and murder (chapter 12); and near the end of David's life, he advises him to declare Solomon will be king after him "and that he will sit on your (David's) throne" (1 Kings 1). As spokesman for the Lord, Nathan was a key factor in David's life.
___God said to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, This is what the Lord Almighty says" (v. 5). Nathan did not lose any time after receiving the revelation from the Lord to go back and tell the king all God had revealed to him (v. 17).
___The revelation began with a rhetorical question: "Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in" (v. 5)? God reminded David of where he was when God called him "to be ruler over my people Israel" (v. 8). God had been with him wherever he had gone and had cut off all his enemies before him (v. 9).
___David thought he would build God a house. God, however, promised to build "a house" for David, not a structure, but a dynasty that would be established forever. God promised David would have an offspring who would build the temple. Solomon would build the Lord's house. But the messianic promise was enveloped within the Davidic covenant (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33). God initiated the covenant with David, as he did with Abraham (Genesis 15).
___Humble gratitude
___David received God's revelation from Nathan. He "went and sat before the Lord" (v. 18), and responded with a prayer of gratitude and praise (vv. 18-29). David remembered who he was and his family background. His response was to worship God. He realized he had done nothing to deserve God's promise of an everlasting dynasty.
___David was caught up in the awesome wonder of the magnificence of God and his promise. David addressed God by the title "O Sovereign Lord" seven times in his prayer of gratitude. He referred to himself as the Lord's servant 10 times. This is true worship.
___Questions for discussion
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