David Received God’s Promise

Synopsis     1Chron 17:16-27     1/9/2020 

King David told Nathan the prophet about his desire to build a house for God in Jerusalem. But, God spoke to Nathan. And through the prophet, he told David not to build. 

However, in the same communication, God made a promise to David. Specifically, God promised to David that someone from his family would rule as king over Israel forever. As a result, David felt overwhelmed and humbled.  

Yet David gratefully accepted the promise. In fact, after Nathan delivered the promise, David went into the tent and sat in front of the ark of the Covenant. As he sat, David recounted God’s history of doing good to Israel. And there he prayed that God should actually follow through on everything he had said.  

David Received God’s Promise 

David didn’t ask himself if he was worthy of God’s goodness. He humbly but expectantly accepted God’s gift. 

And this was faith.

I Receive God’s Promise 

I must be willing to accept God’s promises to me. Of course, my awareness of God’s grace naturally produces humility. For I could never deserve God’s goodness.

But in my experience, expectancy is a rare response to God. And yet, expectancy is the mark of real relationship. When I am relating to another person, I expect them to behave in a certain way. And God is another person.

So, the expectation that God is going to keep His promises to me conveys belief. This is how one person treats another person.

And so, this is faithfulness.

“Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” Rom 5:10