Unless the Lord Builds the House

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 7:1-17. The LORD finally gave David a break from his enemies and he was settled in the palace. But something else began to play on David’s mind.

David expressed his concerns to Nathan, the prophet, saying that it concerned him that he lived in a house of cedar, but the ark of God was still in a tent. Nathan told David to do whatever was in his heart because God was with him.

That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and told him to go ask his servant David, “Shall you build me an house for me to dwell in?”

The LORD told Nathan that He hadn’t dwelt in a house since He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. He had been moving from place to place with the people of Israel and had either dwelt in a tent or a tabernacle.

The LORD asked if He had ever asked any of the people who He appointed over Israel to build Him a house.

The LORD told Nathan to remind David that He took him from being a lowly shepherd over the sheep and made him to be king and rule over Israel. The LORD said He was with David everywhere he went. He protected David from his enemies. The LORD made a great name for David as great as any man on earth.

The LORD told Nathan that He would establish a place for His people Israel so they wouldn’t have to travel anymore. He would also keep their enemies at bay and wouldn’t let them bother them like they did in the past. Like He gave David rest from his enemies He would also give His people rest from their enemies. The LORD said He would build a house for David.

The LORD told Nathan to tell David when his days were over and he went to rest with his ancestors the LORD would build his kingdom. He would raise up David’s offspring to succeed him.

The LORD said he would build a house for him and He would establish his kingdom forever. He said that He would be his father and he would be His son. If he sinned He would punish him like a father did his son.

The LORD promised that His mercy wouldn’t depart from him as it did Saul. The LORD said his house and kingdom would be established forever.

Nathan shared with David the vision that the LORD gave him and everything the LORD told him.

David had dreams of building a house for the LORD, but David’s plan and God’s plan were different. If David would have gone on with his plan in spite of what God said his labor would have been in vain.

Psalm 127:1: [[A Song of degrees for Solomon.]] Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Can you imagine being able to communicate with God like Nathan and some of the other prophets did in the Old Testament?

Sometimes when I’m trying to figure something out I wish I could pick up the phone and call God to ask Him what to do. I pray about it, but sometimes still wonder what is the right thing to do. Does this ever happen to you?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 7:1-17

1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Things to think about:

What was David’s concern in this Scripture?

Who did David talk to about his concern?

How did the LORD relay the message to David about what was to take place?

What was the LORD’s promise to David?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David wanted to build You a dwelling place. You had honored David and He wanted to honor You. You blessed David for His commitment to You and Your people. Help us to be committed to doing Your will in our lives. Bless us for our service to You and Your people. Help us to spread the good news of Your gospel around the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: Psalm 127 “Unless the Lord Builds the House”

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