Observation: When David has the idea to build a temple for the Lord and to house the ark, Nathan the prophet ultimately gives David two answers. When David first tells Nathan the idea, Nathan accurately tells David that God is with him. However, Nathan then receives a message that David must not build a temple, but rather that responsibility will fall to his son.
Nathan was not inaccurate or misaligned with the Lord in his first answer ... God was with David. However, God has a specific plan and timing and purpose for the temple, which was to also represent his continued covenant with David's line, a line that would include the ultimate king of the entire world, Jesus. The Lord was making clear that he was not JUST 'with' David, but was now entering a covenant in which he was with a royal line that had a massive final objective - the salvation of all mankind.
So again, Nathan was not inaccurate in his prophetic gift. God was with David, but also David was not to proceed. God's subsequent words and actions even re-enforce that he is generally with David in all matters, however God also has specific instructions that are explicit to what actions David must do, and what he therefore must leave for others to do.
Application: For all of us, God has both a general love and desire for our lives, but also has prescribed directions and missions and plans for us to fulfill. I am more and more concerned that ... I don't fully understand either part of God's will and purpose for my life.
Generally, I know he loves me and wants me to peacefully lead my family, and to do so in this region of the country. Specifically, I know he has placed me in a particular job for now. However, for the most part these are secular structures of my life, and I do not have any idea on the general ways I can participate in the Kingdom of God, nor the specific missions he may have for me to do.
Do I not know these things because I don't listen? Or because he hasn't yet told me? Or because I'm not worthy to even have anything meaningful to do?
Prayer: Lord, you know that this issue of my work and purpose is weighing on my heart recently. I seek your direction. I will continue to seek your will and purpose for both my life in general, and for my specific daily walk with you. Amen.
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