Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 1 Chronicles 17:1-15
Set – 1 Chronicles 17; Matthew 20
Go! – 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalms 2; Matthew 20
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
1 Once David had sat in his palace, he made an observation.David (to Nathan the prophet): I live in a sturdy house made of expensive, imported cedar, but the covenant chest of the Eternal lives in a temporary house made of curtains. This does not seem right.
Nathan: 2 If you want to build God a house, then do it. God is with you.
3 Later that night, God came to Nathan and corrected his thinking.
Eternal One: 4 Go and tell My servant David the Eternal One says: You may not build a house for Me to live in; 5 I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until today. I have always moved from tent to tent, from one home to another. 6 In all these places where I have walked with Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges I commanded to shepherd Israel, “Why have you not built for Me an expensive house of cedar?”
7 I, the Eternal One, Commander of heavenly armies, pledge this: I moved you from the pasture, where you followed behind sheep, to the palace, where you now lead My sheep, Israel. 8 I have accompanied you wherever you have gone and have destroyed your enemies from before you. I will exalt your name to the level of the great ones who are on the earth. 9 I will select a land for My people Israel; I will plant them so they may live in their own land and not be moved again. The wicked will not exhaust them anymore, as they did from the beginning 10 and as when I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. I will humble all your enemies. I, the Eternal One, will build a house for you, instead of you building a house for Me. .11-12 At the end of your life, when your reign on earth is complete and you have joined your ancestors, I shall select one of your sons in your place, and I shall build his house. In return, he will build a house for Me, a temple where I shall dwell and where your people will worship Me. And I will establish his throne forever. 13 I shall be his Father, and he will be My son. I shall not take My loyal love from him as I took it from Saul who reigned before you. 14 I shall establish him in My temple and in My kingdom forever. His throne will last forever.
15 Nathan told David exactly what the Eternal said through this vision.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
David wanted to do something really good for Me. He wanted to build a permanent house in which My people could worship Me. That’s not a bad thing. It sounded good. It sounded like the right thing to do. His number one prophet and spiritual mentor Nathan thought so too and told him so. Just go do it. You have a good heart. Your motives are right. Go build a house of worship for God.
Big problem. Neither of them asked Me if I wanted David to build a house for Me. I didn’t. It wasn’t David’s place to do so and I let Nathan know in a vision that very night.
Sometimes what seems good isn’t best and people will sacrifice what is best by doing good. Let Me say that one more time so you’re sure to get it. Sometimes people will sacrifice what is best by doing good. It’s not that what you do is bad. Often what you attempt is good and will bring joy to yourself and others, but it might not be the best for you and those around you. It might not be what I want you to do.
The good thing about David during this part of his life was his willingness to listen to Me and follow My leading. So when Nathan came back to him the next day and relay My message to him. He immediately stopped his plans to build the Temple and only drew up plans and began to gather materials. He left the building of the Temple to his son, Solomon as I directed.
The same thing happens today. Sometimes individuals are inspired to give a piece of land to build a church. It’s not that it’s a bad thing, but it’s not the best thing to do. However, often the council or board or whatever governing body runs the congregation accepts the property and begins plans with great celebration…without asking Me first. Sometimes it’s the worst place in the city to put a church. Maybe you wonder why your church sits where it does. Maybe it mirrors the conversation David had with Nathan, but without My conversation with Nathan afterward. The people sacrificed the best by doing good.
Be careful with your good actions. Watch your good intentions. Guard your good efforts. Talk to Me and understand My will for your life. Don’t do what David almost did. Don’t sacrifice the best by doing good. Stay tuned in to Me and I’ll help you make the best choices in life.
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