Observation: David feels guilty that he now has a palace, while the Lord is honored only within a couple tents (one holding the arc in Jerusalem, the other being the original tabernacle set up in Gibeon). When he asks Nathan about building a temple, this is the process ... Nathan first says that David should do it for it is the will of the Lord, but that night the Lord shows up to Nathan and says 'no'.
Nathan made the first answer based on his experience with the Lord. Nathan has seen how the Lord has blessed David in he does, because David always first consults the Lord. Thus, in this case, David consults the Lord about building a temple, so certainly the Lord would bless that. However, what we don't see Nathan do during this first exchange is ... actually ask the Lord, and wait to receive an answer.
Nathan is a wise prophet, and both listens to the Lord when the Lord speaks, and knows how to relay the resulting message and direction to David. However, in this case he presumed what God's opinion would be based on past experiences and earthly thoughts. He and David learned that the Lord's plan is too complex even in such matters as this.
Application: I am aware that I am very likely to assume God's desires like Nathan did, and for similar reasons. I see how the Lord acts in past similar situations, and thus believe I have learned something about God's heart that can be applied to future situations. Sure, this CAN prove accurate, but not because it is correct.
Again, David had an idea and turned to the Lord. This idea wasn't about war for once, but about how he could love and honor Yahweh. David asks God about (almost) every idea he has, and the fact Nathan as intermediary jumped the gun this time shows how important this act is, as the Lord needs to correct it for David's sake.
I say again today: I am bad at this practice. My pastor mentioned it Sunday, and I see it in scripture modeled by David ... I would be wise to take every decision to the Lord. How best can I lose weight? Should I proactively offer help regarding these customers? What can I do today to honor my wife? How can I encourage my son and daughter? What should I say in this email response?
I may not always have the spiritual ability to hear every answer, but I'll never go wrong in the asking.
Prayer: Lord, today I bring these questions to you. May I bring many more as well. I desire to be a man after your own heart, and to present my life to you, the big and small items, for your direction. Please take me by my hand. Amen.
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