Topic: Follow God’s Plan [Thursday April 14, 2016]
Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-6
Key Verse: “Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?” (2 Samuel 7:5).
Sometimes, we have good intentions and make great plans for what we desire to do for God and humanity. We are so convinced of the rightness of our cause that we expect Him to approve it. And when He declines, or our plans meet with a crashing failure, we are displeased, and therefore, discouraged from trying to do any more great thing for Him.
Such attitude seems to betray our hidden selfish motives. David had fought and won great wars with the help of God. And at this time, he had moved into his palace and was enjoying a reign of peace and rest from all his enemies. Recognising that God was with him in war or peace time, he broached the idea of building a temple for Him with Prophet Nathan, who promptly endorsed his plans. That same night, God came to the prophet and gave him a message to David.
As noble as his plans were to build a sanctuary for God, he did not have the Lord’s permission to do so. By this singular action, God did not reject David but had a greater plan for him and his posterity. He did not want him to build the temple at this time because he had shed so much blood in war. His son and successor, who would be a man of peace, would get the permission to build the temple. God does not see things the way we do. That is what makes Him the Almighty and all-knowing God. Irrespective of our best intentions, He has better plans for us. For a time, it may seem as if He has rejected all we are offering to Him in service.
We must not be disappointed or discouraged from continuing to serve Him. In such situations, we must yield to His superior wisdom and knowledge, recognising that in His own time, He will eventually make all things beautiful for His people.
Thought for the day: God’s thoughts are always for our good.
Bible Reading in one Year: Acts 15-17
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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