The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day seven)

We have two different admonitions in this text from Nathan, David’s trusted prophet.  First, Nathan tells David, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Samuel 7:3)

Nathan had no reason to second guess David, however, he should have waited on the word of the LORD. Nathan initially gives David bad advice because he gives David a kneejerk response.  God had a much deeper message for David:

But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? (2 Samuel 7:4)

As God is correcting Nathan, God is giving him a chance to change course (read repent), and do the right thing which Nathan immediately does. God often gives His people second chances just like He gives Nathan here.  May we make the most of those second opportunities given immediately obeying this time around.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day six)

Where we start is not nearly as important as where we end up. King David begins chapter seven comfortable but alone, by the middle he is right where God wants him. Up to this point David is known for his dependence on God. From Goliath’s defeat to David’s coronation, we see a David desperate for the presence and Word of God. But not so in chapter 7. Here we encounter a different David, a rested, self-sufficient David. God takes the opportunity to remind David of the kind of God he is and introduce a new covenant. Both are incredibly important, but what God wanted more than anything is revealed in verse 18:

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord…”

David began self sufficient and alone; he ended sitting before the Lord. He ended up right where he needed to be.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day five) v 3  Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”  v 17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

The relationship between king David and the prophet Nathan is remarkable.  At first, Nathan gives David the green light on building the Temple. Then, comes a completely different word of counsel.  Yet, David doesn’t question, challenge, or berate Nathan.  Instead, David goes to pray (a recurring activity in 2 Samuel). David demonstrates a humble heart and a high trust for the counsel of Nathan.  Nathan is communicating a change of plans for David (the king).  Yet, David is willing to listen and then process this information.

Maybe one of the lessons we can learn from the life of David is to have people ready and willing to speak God’s truth and perspective into our lives. Someone, we know from experience, walks closely and consistently with the Lord.  Someone we trust that has no agenda other than wanting God’s best and God’s will for our lives.  How valuable was Nathan to David?

Do you have anyone like that? (mentor, longtime friend, family member) Are you a “Nathan” to anyone?  Perhaps God’s voice can be heard through the counsel of those around us.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day four)

Why me?  David asked God why He had chosen to bless him and his household.  In modern times, we tend to say we are so loved by God that He blesses us on our own merit.  David has a different answer…he answers himself in vv. 20-21.  David says it is nothing I have done…I don’t deserve any blessing…it is all for God’s glory.

There is a modern song that says when Jesus was on the cross, He was only thinking of me.  David would say, ‘Jesus was being obedient to His Father and He was thinking only of Him.’  David had an accurate view of God.  Our self-centered approaches to God’s blessings are the complete opposite of David’s understanding.

Have you ever substituted your own goodness and worth for God’s glory and mercy?  As Blake Coffee reminded us last Sunday, we must maintain a high view of God…”not of works lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:9)

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day three)

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord.”

Imagine a trusted advisor—one who knows you well, knows the people and financial and social realities surrounding you, and is a highly-sought-after consultant in economic, diplomatic, military, and civil matters. What if this advisor informs you that every indicator in your life and work signals that you’re directing your affairs well—and that if you continue to direct your life and steward your resources in the way you have up to now, there is every reason to believe that for generations to come a peaceful and secure future awaits you, your family, and all those for whom you are responsible? How would you respond? Fear of failure? Fear of catastrophic loss? Fear of your own inadequacies? David responded with wonder at the Lord’s kindness, and wonder led him into confidence.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 7 (day two)

Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’ vs. 7

It was a good plan. I would be willing to bet that anyone that David proposed it to would agree that it was a good plan. Build the Lord a house. Honor the Lord by creating a beautiful temple. What could be bad about that? It wasn’t God’s plan. Has that happened to you? Have you had a desire to do something great, selfless even, only to be told no? That can be pretty defeating…unless you are after God’s heart. Listen to David’s response.

Now therefore, O Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken. Vs. 25

David’s plan was good, but God’s was best. David did not rashly run out thinking his good idea was the final word. He heard from the Lord and was given a greater understanding of God’s ultimate plan. Greater than David could ever imagine.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 6 (day seven)

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

In the initial chapters of 2 Samuel David lives out these verses from Ecclesiastes.  We began with passionate mourning of Saul’s death, and now, we see David celebrate enthusiastically.  In 2 Samuel 6 David leaps and whirls before the Lord because the Lord God above has been good to them.  It is the perfect time for such a response.

I pray that we can celebrate like David when God provides miraculous gifts.  When you see God work don’t hold back.  Shout for joy, blast trumpets in celebration, dance with excitement, and bless the Lord with your praise.  It is the perfect time for such a response.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 6 (day six)

And David danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14

I imagine we would have felt a little uncomfortable with David’s dance, but consider something with me for a moment. What if dancing is the most whole expression of worship. The Lord commanded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Dt. 6:4) As westerners we tend to emphasize our mind (we pride ourselves in our theologically rich hymns) and affections in worship, but we fall short of the whole self. Not so with dancing; dancing can express heart, soul, and might.

So, maybe dignified worship is not worship’s fullest form, maybe dancing (while singing of course) is. This week when Kenyan women (in greet need) received buckets of non-perishable food, they sang…and danced unto the Lord. It’s easy to chalk that up as cultural, and maybe so, but what if dancing is more than cultural.

It’s just a thought, a consideration.

So, when’s the last time you worshipped with all your might? If you had, you probably could not have helped yourself; you probably would have danced…a little; maybe just the slightest shuffle. 🙂

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 6 (day five)

vs 20 Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!”

A strong word/warning to parents and grandparents in this passage- our children are watching and learning from our actions and attitudes.  We don’t have to wonder where this perspective from Michal comes from.  She saw it with her father, king Saul. Many times Saul chose his own reputation and image ahead of obedience and devotion to God.  Michal basically is calling out David for “conduct unbecoming of a king”.  She is more concerned about the image of the king than bringing glory to God.  David was not. We have opportunities to communicate those same values and priorities many times a day, not just in worship services. I pray our children (and others) see in us and begin to learn for themselves that devotion and obedience to God are greater than anything else.