A Forever Kingdom

A FOREVER KINGDOM

a prayer to open

My Lord, my God, show me your heart. Ground me in your presence.

Draw me near and hold me close.

When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.”

But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. . . . Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to . . . the shepherds of my people Israel.”’ . . .

“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! . . . I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. . . . I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

In this passage, we see God’s sweeping promises to David and the Israelite people—promises that went far beyond what David could have imagined. God promised not only that a son of David would build him a house but that David’s kingdom would endure forever. In this way, God foreshadowed the coming King, Jesus—the son of David and son of Abraham (see Matthew 1:1), who will reign forever.

• How might David have felt when God rejected his plan to build him a temple?
• Do you ever find yourself believing that someone else’s calling is worthier or grander than yours? How does comparing yourself to that person make you feel?
• What has God uniquely called you to be and do? When you are feeling disappointed about your contributions in this world, who in your life can help affirm your talents and gifts?

Father, thank you for your promises to David and your promise that Jesus Christ will reign as King forever. Thank you for the ways you have gifted me uniquely to serve you. When I compare myself to others, remind me who you made me to be and what you’ve called me to do. Please give me the presence of mind to affirm others for the ways you have made and gifted them. Amen.