Today's devotion
2 Samuel 7:18-26
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ?
20 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.
22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.
25 "And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Did you ever have great plans to do something for God? David wanted to build him a fabulous temple. He had the money, the manpower, and the ability to give God a magnificent home. Even the prophet Nathan thought it would be a great idea. Why would God deny his offering?
Even if our plans are for God's glory, if they don't fit into God's plans they are futile. There have been times in my life when it just didn't make sense that God would deny something that seemed so right. But I'm learning (I haven't gotten it down yet) that he has a long term view. He knows our hearts and how they may develop pride over our accomplishment or he knows that at some point other factors will mess up our plans.
I don't know that I have ever responded to a 'No' from God the way David did, though. Instead of pouting and arguing with him, David praised him for all he'd been given. In his heart, David knew God had the right answer. I pray that we are able to praise God in all things -- especially when he tells us 'No'.
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