God’s Promise To You

Synopsis     2Sam 7:4-14     11/28/2018 

David lived in the new capital city of Jerusalem. And at this time, Israel was at peace with all the nations around them. So, David began to reflect on the fact that he lived in an extravagant palace but that the Ark of God dwelt in a tent. 

As a result, David inquired of Nathan the prophet, who initially encouraged him to build a temple. But then the word of the Lord came to Nathan. And in this revelation, God made clear that He did not need a house to dwell in. He reminded David that he had started as a lowly shepherd. And he made clear that God alone had seen David through all the trials and challenges of his life – not the other way around.  

God went on to promise a future peace for Israel. And he promised that David’s line would reign forever on the throne of Israel. He promised there would be a certain son of David, whom God would personally call “son”. And that man would call God – “my father”. And it would be this son who would ultimately build a house for God to dwell in. 

God’s Promise To David 

David’s heart was for God. So he always looked to know what was best for God. And even though God made it clear that David was wholly dependent on God for every good thing in his life, God saw that David’s desires were honorable. So, it was written of David, that he was “a man after my own heart”.  

Because of this, God made promises to David. Among these he promised that one of David’s heirs “would be a son” of God. And this one would call God, “Father”. Accordingly, it would be this son of David who would ultimately build a house for God to dwell in.  

And David received these promises as gifts given. 

God’s Promise To You 

So I come to this story as a Christ-follower. And I find the fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus. Additionally, I find in Jesus this promise that I might dwell with the Father through the Son.  

And so Jesus said, “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Matt 6:9) 

It is in this moment that I realize that God’s promise to David was also a promise to me. And I realize that God in Jesus has made me an heir to this throne of grace and glory. And I realize that my life is full of all the meaning and purpose of David’s life.

For this reason, I realize that I too was born to be a man after God’s own heart.  

“Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’” Acts 13:22