Magnificent Prayer #282
Magnificent Prayer #282
And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name. And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake.
1 Kings 8:18–20 KJV
God never says “No” coldly; He whispers into the heart that is attentive to His word, “It was well that it was in thine heart.”
Encouraged by this, David gave himself wholeheartedly to the task of gathering the materials. In 1 Chronicles 29:2–3, where David spoke to his people concerning Solomon and the temple, he said, “Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of God the gold…the silver…the brass…the iron…and wood; onyx stones…and all manner of precious stones…because I have set my affection to the house of God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.”
This man, who had been denied the fulfillment of his vision, instead of sulking about it, gave himself completely to the task in the best way he knew how, preparing that which he himself would never be able to complete.
If you cannot build, you can gather the materials; if you cannot go, you can send somebody else. If God has said “No” to you, you can make it possible for someone else to fill that place on which you had set your heart.
The vision need never have been in vain, even though it remains unfulfilled, for God’s refusals in life are loaded with immeasurable possibilities of blessing.
It all depends, however, on whether at the moment when God has said “no” you sulk or you seek—if you seek, you will find that God is right there with blessing such as you have never experienced before.
ALAN REDPATH
Pray About It: Moses never saw the Promised Land. David didn’t see the temple. But both men were responsible for bringing the vision to pass in the next generation.
Do you ever feel like God has passed you by? That you’ve not done the great work you once thought you would? Is it that for which you still pray?
Have no regrets. Your vision may still come to pass in those who follow. Paul knew that some planted, some watered, and some harvested. He knew that all three were important. You may not have harvested, but if you have prayed, you are as vital a part of the work of God as the one who harvests.
Give thanks. Your work has not been in vain. Others will do their part and God’s work will be complete.
Although God refused David’s request, He said to him, “It was well that it was in thine heart.” Wasn’t it good of God to tell him that? Surely it left a permanent glow in David’s life.
ALAN REDPATH
From the book
