Focal Passages: 2 Samuel 7:8-17, 22-24
Several years ago I began to research my family’s genealogy. In addition to learning the names and places of my ancestors, I have thought about how little they knew about the coming generations. Many of them could not imagine a new country, a new language or a new culture. David certainly could not have imagined how God ultimately would make his descendants a blessing to all nations. Only the Son of David would eternally occupy the throne, give His people an eternally great name, and give them eternal rest from all their enemies (even death).
Have you ever desired to do something great for God? What if God plans to make you a link in the chain to doing something great through someone else? If God’s glory remains your greatest desire, you’ll be OK just knowing you’ve been used by God. If your glory becomes the goal you’ll be nothing less than the hook of the chain, the front man for God’s work. David wanted to build a temple, but God chose Solomon. While David was by no means obscure, his life was a memory when Solomon’s temple was built. The front man is transient; God’s glory remains unchanged in every generation.
My 2-year-old son has become a professional pouter. He knows how to lower his head, fold his arms, and roll out his bottom lip when he doesn’t get his way. This response is cute for now but will become increasingly irritating with time. Certainly no one enjoys a grown-up pouter.
Imagine how David could have responded to being passed over for building the temple. Instead he chose to worship God, declaring His greatness, and asked, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18). May we be like Dave Roever, the injured Vietnam veteran who prayed concerning his physical scars, “Lord, You’re the Potter, I’m the clay. Whatever You make of me will be just fine, as long as it’s You who does the making.”