God Does More

Introduction

A. We have all had the experience of wanting to do something and being told “no.” Being told “no” is a regular part of the human experience. One of the first words children learn is the word “no” as parents spend much time telling them “no.” Wise adults learn that “no” is proper to keep us from overspending our budget. What is hard about hearing a “no” is when your motives are pure. You want to do something that you believe is good and right, but the answer “no” comes anyway.

B. What happens to us when God says “no”? We speak of prayer and that God answers every prayer. And he does. But then we qualify that sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. This is true. We revel in the “yes” answers and we find it hard to swallow the “no” and “wait” answers. In our text today, David receives a very clear “no” answer from God. David wants to do something for God; something which will exhibit how much he honors God; but God says “no.” David’s motives are pure. He wants to honor God even as God has honored him. But God says “no.” How do we handle the “no” from God? Let’s learn from David’s experience and be encouraged.

The Text

A. Some time has passed since David has solidified the kingdom. Enough time for him to have built a beautiful palace. It occurs to David that he is living in the lap of luxury while the Ark of the Covenant remains in a tent. This violates David’s sense of justice. God should have a house that far exceeds his own. We are introduced to Nathan the prophet at this point. He appears without introduction but he will play a significant role in David’s life as his spiritual advisor. This conversation between David and Nathan occurs quickly and without comment. Basically, Nathan tells David that he has gotten where he is because God is with him. Do what you want to do, God is going to bless it.

B. But the scene quickly turns to Nathan’s bedroom where God corrects Nathan’s thinking as well as David’s. God’s response — What makes you think I need a house to live in? What about my nature convinced you that I was unfulfilled? As most of you know, our son lives in Abilene. Last year as we were visiting him for his college graduation, he kept apologizing for not entertaining us better. We reassured him that we didn’t come down to be entertained. He was mistaken about we wanted or needed. He was looking at us through his eyes not ours.

C. This is not to compare us with God but to demonstrate what happened. David looked at his life and assumed that God must somehow feel slighted and that God wanted what David had. God doesn’t need a house. While God will allow a house (temple) to be built, it doesn’t mean that he needs one. But what we see next is astoundingly grace filled.

D. God tells David that a house will indeed be built for him. It will be built by David’s offspring. We know this is Solomon but David didn’t. What God further says is astoundingly gracious. God takes David down the memory lane path. God points out what he has already done in David’s life.

i. God took David from a pasture and made him ruler (v. 8)

ii. God has been with David wherever he has gone (v. 9)

iii. God has cut off David’s enemies so that he can rest (v. 9)

iv. God even tells David what will happen in the future. Israel will be at rest. They will have a place to call home. They will not be oppressed. (Vss. 10-11)

E. But then the astonishing part — God is going to build a house for David. God’s promise is that the future for David’s offspring is bright. David’s house will be the dynasty of Israel. But even more so, the throne of David will be forever. This is the foreshadowing of the rule of Jesus.

Application

A. What lesson do we learn from this encounter? God’s “no” is a blessing. David thought about God in very human terms. Don’t we all? David with a pure heart wanted to honor God in very human ways. God will eventually allow such but David needs to learn something about who God is. Don’t we as well? God’s “no” to David was really a “yes” to something far greater.

B. David wants to honor God and God says “no.” But instead of allowing the “no” to be the final word, God expands the “no” to include a “yes.” And the “yes” is that David is going to be honored. David didn’t come wanting more honor from God. He had plenty. His great palace was enough. But God wasn’t through. God did more than David asked or imagined. We must learn this about our God as well. The God of David is our God and he wants to take the “no” to us and help us to see the “yes.”

C. This doesn’t mean that our family will be revered throughout the ages, but the promise of God to David is for us as well. Through the reign of Jesus we also reign. What we see here is that God sees well beyond what we see. We are limited in our human thinking. God, the eternal giver, sees well beyond what we can imagine. Isn’t this what Paul wrote about in Ephesians 3:14-21? When he thought about how God brought Gentiles into relationship with him through Jesus, he was astounded by God’s imagination and thinking. How great is God’s love Paul says. No one ever thought about the Gentiles, but God did.

D. When God says “no,” we need to learn to trust that the “no” is for our own good. Why be disappointed? God loves us more than we can imagine. His “no” means that we learn to trust him. God is not limited. Invitation.

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