Beth Frost
For thou, O my God, hast told my servant that thou wilt build him an house; therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
Although David wasn't thinking of a fellowship hall or kitchen in this text, he was thinking of building. He had built a house for himself and realized that the Ark of the Covenant was still housed in a tent. Yet, through Nathan the prophet, the Lord told David that a house would be built at a later time by one of his sons and the kingdom would be given to David's descendants. Of course, this is not the answer David was expecting. But, his reaction is to go into the Tent of the Lord's presence and pray "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" In other words, "I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family." David realizes that God's plan for David and his descendents is much larger than what David has in mind. David the servant accepts God's plan "in his heart."
Originally, I had written a cute first paragraph for this discourse. But, after reading it typed and on screen, I had second thoughts and began to look deeper into the passage. My original thoughts were about the new physical building and praying for its completion. Then, going back and reading more of the biblical text, I saw more of what was feeling as he questioned God's decision and his acceptance of that decision.
Any of us could ask God the same question that David asked. Even though we don't find ourselves in the position of being the servant that David was, accepting God's will in our hearts is just as important today as it was in David's time. The key to this passage is not the timing of a new building, or being a perfect servant, but strength of heart and mind to pray and believe in God.
Dear Lord, strengthen each of our hearts to pray for the building of your new house physically and spiritually.
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