I Kings 8:19
“Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.”
It wasn’t in God’s plan for David to build the temple. He tried, but was told no. I like this. God has different things in mind for each of us. We shouldn’t get our feelings hurt, if we are told no. The temple build was an enormous task. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it.
In school some have iep’s (individual education plan). With God, we all do. We all have different routes. This is great, as we all have different gifts. Paul reasons in I Corinthians 12:15, ‘If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.’ We have different gifts for different tasks. He later says in Ephesians 4:12, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” The goal is for us to be an encouragement to others. We do that in different ways.
David has an enormous task. He was to be king, a warrior and an example of a godly person. He did an awesome job. There are many things that I appreciate about David. One was that he was a common man. When the ark was returned to Israel, David and the people danced before the ark. Michal, David’s wife shamed him. He responds in II Samuel 6:21, “But David said to Michal, ‘I was before the LORD, who preferred me to your father and to all his house, to appoint me as ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. So I will celebrate before the LORD!'” He wasn’t worried what the press would say, nor did he care what the elite class said.
We should follow David’s example and glorify God. We shouldn’t fear man. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” When we fear God, He sets us securely on high. Ephesians 4:14 paints a picture of instability, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.” It’s ok to be a young believer, that is if one is young in the faith. But some stay an infant christian their entire lives. They are investing little into their growth. They should be like David and be in God’s Word. Being so plants the bible in our hearts which gives God a chance to work in our lives. We are less likely to be influenced by the clever cunning of man. His instilled Word warns us.
Today’s verse is about God’s plan for our lives. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” To acknowledge Him is to do as His Word says and to inquire of Him for guidance. His Word says to love others. We are to act lovingly. Let them go first. This can stress us out if we are impositioned. Toss up a prayer. “Lord, help me to get this task done on time.” Trust Him to make it happen.
God has His will for us. It fits our temperament and make up. As we are in His Word, He puts His will in our hearts. We want to do it. David was a warrior. Some have that part in them. It would horrify others who aren’t that. Outside of the draft, God wouldn’t do that to that person.
My religious background was strict and was demanding. I would assume if it was taxing, then it was of God. Jesus says in Matthew 11:30, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He will have us do hard things on occasion, but it’s not the norm. It’s been said the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He isn’t seeking to embarrass us. God’s will is usually the thing we want to do, if we are in His Word.
Lord, thank You for Your guidance. Thank You that it fits the way You’ve made us. Thank You for unfolding it for us.