OUR SCRIPTURE INTRO

In the third week of the “Who you Are” sermon series, King David is feeling uneasy because he is blessed in such a beautiful home and, by contrast, God resides in a tent. Hmm. David thinks. This can't be right. This can't be good. 

 

David expresses his desire to build a temple for God. David shares this plan with Nathan, the prophet. 

 

God stops this plan when Nathan conveys a different message to David. The message is twofold. First, David is not the one to build God a house. (This gift to God will come later from King David’s son, the future King Solomon.) Second, God will make a 'house' for David. This ‘house’ is a dynasty of kings.

 

Our lectionary text, 2 Samuel 7:1-14, provides a profound message about God's grace and promises. David's humility in receiving God's promise is an example to us as believers. Instead of insisting on his initial plan to build a home for God, David humbly accepts God's plan. This shows true obedience.

 

Our scripture this Sunday also emphasizes the steadfast love of God, who establishes a covenant with David. This covenant leads to the salvation of humankind through Jesus Christ.

 

As we begin our journey toward Sunday, July 21, I continue to invite you to think about who you are. Read the following story (below) and pay attention to what you think and what you feel.

 

Some could suggest that you don’t seem to be a direct part of this story. I’ll argue this, however. I invite you to join me on identifying who you are as one who receives gifts, grace and promises from God. This includes the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.

 

Here is 2 Samuel 7:1-14 in the New Living Translation.

 

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The LORD’s Covenant Promise to David

 

7 When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, 2 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!”

 

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

 

4 But that same night the LORD said to Nathan, 5 “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? 6 I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. 7 Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’

 

8 “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. 9 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! 10 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, 11 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! 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 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.

 

PRAYER: