Friday 24 Dec 2021

December 24: 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.

Devotion:
King David was taken out of the fields to become king; from being a shepherd to being king over all Israel! Up until this point the spirit of God dwelt in the tabernacle, a huge tent. David was now wanting to build a proper house or palace for God, something befitting the King of Kings rather than a tent.

God’s reply through Nathan the prophet may have been a bit of a surprise for many. God did not want a huge palace built for Him. He did not want to be in the biggest castle, palace, mansion or anything else; He wanted to live close to the people where He could protect them most and guide them openly.

God wanted the people of Israel to get their own home first. He wanted Israel to know how special they were to Him. Already God was being the caretaker, the servant, the Shepherd and leader of all who were willing to listen and obey. God wanted David to know He was not just going to look after him, but over all his descendants and his people.

But the warning was also there. Too many times they had turned their backs on God because they wanted something physical to look at. Too many time they had turned away from God’s ways and lived out their own desires instead. The warning was stark. God would come down on them heavily if they walked their own path again. Even though God may allow punishment through other men, He would never stop loving David and his descendants. This house would stand forever!

Points to Ponder:
Do you blame things on God?

Do you know how much God loves you?