Scripture Focus (1 Chronicles 17:1-15) – “Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” [2] And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” [3] But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, [4] “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. [5] For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. [6] In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ [7] Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, [8] and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. [9] And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, [10] from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. [11] When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. [12] He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. [13] I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, [14] but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” [15] In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.”
I. David Had A Great Idea (1-2)
A. It was an honorable plan (1) – “Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”
B. It was a supported plan (2) – “And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”
C. It was a sensible plan (Proverbs 3:5-6) – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Four tests to see whether good intentions are God’s intentions
1. Good intentions of our hearts must be submitted to God’s overall will for our lives.
2. Good intentions must be submitted to God for permission & instruction – David did not even ask God.
3. Good intentions must center in God’s interests, not our own; is this intention bringing Him glory?
4. Good intentions do not replace God’s will, even when supported by other godly people (Nathan).
II. God Released A Flat Denial (3-6)
A. It was immediate (3) – “But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan…”
B. It was emphatic (4-6) – “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build Me a house to dwell in. 5 For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6 In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
Redirection does not necessarily equal rejection
God is the Authority in our life and has the perfect right to deny us something that we desire. His denials are a perfect display of His wisdom and care for us. Can we receive a closed door from God without it feeling like an entire rejection of who we are?
How Do We React When God Says ‘NO’ To Us?
1. Rebellion – I don’t care what God says – I want this for me!
2. Self-deception – It may not be in God’s will, but I can make it happen on my own.
3. Resentment – God doesn’t really care about me, if He did, He wouldn’t keep this from me
4. Submission – If God is telling me ‘No’ then it is for my own good.
III. God Had A Glorious Alternative (7-15)
A. God reminds David of His past faithfulness (7-8) – “Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”
B. God reveals His plan for David’s future (9-15) – “Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house.”
God gives 6 “I will’s” to David; He withholds one thing and releases 6 in its place!
1. I will subdue your enemies (10)
2. I will build thee a house (10)
3. I will raise up thy seed after thee (11)
4. I will establish the kingdom of your son (11)
5. I will establish His throne forever (12)
6. I will be His Father (13)
IV. A Heartfelt Communication of Praise by David (16-20)
A. David responded in humility (16) – “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”
B. David communicated his gratitude (17-18) – “And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God! 18 And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant.”
C. David aligned with God in faith (19-20) – “For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”