Mother Theresa reportedly said, “Let’s do something beautiful for God.” What do we want to do for God? This is a great question. Still greater is the question, “What does God want to do for us.”
In response to the peace and rest God had given him from his enemies, David told Nathan that his own house was better than God’s tent. David wanted to build a temple for God. Nathan thought this was a splendid idea. “You can do whatever you want because the Lord is with you,” he told David. But God had other ideas. Through Nathan’s dream, God spoke to David, “Did I ask you to build a house for me? No. But I will build a lasting house for you and your descendants.” David responded with great submission and gratitude.
How do we respond when God tells us, “No”? Years ago, we were serving a church in another city. We put down earnest money on a beautiful piece of property to move our growing church. After several roadblocks, I complained to Melanie. All I want to do is build a great facility for our church. Melanie wisely said, “Maybe you are not the one who is supposed to build it.” I did not handle it like David. Incensed, I said, “Well if I don’t do it, who will?” God replaced my disappointment with a new opportunity of ministry.
At the end of our lives, the real story will not be the beautiful things we did for God, but the beautiful things he did for us. About three hundred years later, David’s immediate dynasty ended with the Babylonian captivity. God was not finished with David’s house. Many years later, in the city of David, another descendant would be born, Christ the Lord. Of his reign, there will be no end. We are part of the house God built for David. We should submit and be grateful. God has done something for us in Christ. Isn’t it beautiful?
