Daily Devotion 02 December 2025

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

READING: 2 Samuel 7

King David, in this chapter of Samuel, finds himself in a good place. His enemies are conquered and his kingdom peaceful. He himself was living in luxury, in a house made of expensive cedar wood. But when he remembered that the ark of God dwelled inside tent curtains, he was troubled by the thought that he lived in a nicer house than the Ark of the Covenant. When David suggested to the prophet Nathan that he build a temple in place of the tented tabernacle, Nathan replied that that seemed a good idea. But God admonished Nathan, effectively telling him that God had not suggested that a temple was necessary.

We can learn from this that it is of the utmost importance that we should always test our desires, even the highest and holiest of them, by God’s will. Work, excellent in itself, should never be undertaken, save at the express command of God. God has his own timing.

After David learned that God didn’t want him to build the temple, he didn’t respond by doing nothing. According to 1 Chronicles 29:2-9, David gathered all the materials for building the temple so that, in good time, Solomon could build a glorious house for God.

We can learn from this that if we cannot have what we had hoped, we should not sit down in despair and allow the energies of our life to run to waste; but get up to help others to achieve. As FB Meyer put it; “If you may not go down the mine, you can hold the ropes.”

Though the Lord refused to David the realisation of his wish, He honoured His servant even in the non-acceptance of his offer, promising David that God would establish a permanent and secure Israel, because He knew that David, being a godly shepherd, was first concerned about the welfare of his people. God also promised David that He would build him a house in the sense of establishing a dynasty for the house of David as an enduring legacy. God’s promise to David is completely fulfilled in Jesus Christ: “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelations 22: 16)

We can learn from this that even when our way seems blocked, we should trust that God is not only in control, but, if we remain humble and sincere, He will give us more than we ever asked or dreamt of.

Prayer

Gracious God, give us wisdom to perceive Your way, diligence to seek Your will and patience to trust in You, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen