A Heart to Give

In 2 Samuel 7, King David was in a season of rest from war and battling His enemies (2 Sam 7:1), and he began to think of the goodness of God and consider all that God had done and given him and he desired in his heart to GIVE something back to God, or to do something great for Him. So, he shared with the Prophet Nathan that since he lived in such a luxurious house (made of cedar – the finest building material of its day), it wasn’t fit that the Ark of God dwelt in a tent. Therefore, David decided he would build a fine house for the Ark of God. However, God spoke to the Prophet Nathan and told him to tell David, “Will you build a house for Me to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel saying, “Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?” Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: … the Lord tells you that He will make you a house.” (to read in full see 2 Samuel 7:4-11) So, let me sum this up, basically David was feeling grateful, which prompted him to want to give or do something for the Lord. Which brings me to my first points: Our success should always cause us to be HUMBLE not HAUGHTY. Humility gives birth to gratitude. Our success should always cause us to want to do MORE FOR GOD, NOT GET MORE FROM GOD. Now, sometimes in our most sincere efforts to do good, we forget to talk to God about our plans. However, we need to talk to God about everything. Why? Because just because it’s a GOOD IDEA, doesn’t mean it’s a GOD IDEA. And to continue to do what YOU want to do, instead of what GOD wants you to do, is the quickest way to go from HUMBLE to PRIDEFUL!! So, David, shared his intent with the man of God (the Prophet Nathan), and God spoke to the prophet and sent a word and a promise to David. So, then my next points are: Talk to God, even about your good ideas Listen for His response Now, God’s response in summary (and I’m definitely paraphrasing