When God Says No

Today’s thoughts are from 2 Samuel chapter 7. 

In this chapter we see that David had a desire to build a temple for the Lord. At this time, David was living in a very nice palace, while the Ark was still in the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a tent and David thought the Ark of God should have a more proper dwelling place. I would say this is a good, godly desire, wouldn’t you? After all, the Devil certainly did not give David this desire. David shared his desire with the prophet of God, Nathan. Nathan advises him that it is a good thing. However, God speaks to Nathan later telling him that it is not God’s will for David to do this. 

We can learn so much from this short chapter. 

Here David has a good, godly desire and yet, God says no. God shares with David that his son will be the one to build a temple for God, and God makes a covenant with David. He promises to be with his son in a very close relationship, chastening him for any sin, meanwhile keeping His mercy and love on David’s son. 

Even though there was a wonderful promise given, David was still told no. 

Let’s take a look at verses 22-24, “Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemest to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee forever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.”

Did you catch everything that just happened here? David is PRAISING God after God tells him no. WOW! How many of us have chosen to do this? David is also recounting all the good God has done and the other promises God has fulfilled. Almost as if to say he knows God will keep this promise, too, so he has no reason to be upset. Friend, you and I have also witnessed God keep His promises. We have been able to see His wonderful will be done, even when we don’t understand it. Read the Bible and you will find example after example. We have enough evidence to trust Him. Too often we just choose not to because we want our own way. He is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.

Next we see verse 25. God says, “And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.” This is David speaking to God still, and here he verbally accepts God’s answer. He does not try to change God’s mind. He accepts God’s will and that’s just the end of it. David isn’t bitter or angry. Ouch. How often do we get God’s answer and decide to keep praying “to find God’s will” when in reality, we are just trying to change God’s mind?

Then in verse 26 David is praising God again. “And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.” Over and over David recognizes who God is. He is the God of Israel, the LORD of hosts. David is recognizing and stating that he realizes God’s power and position.

I feel it would do all of us good to just pause and remember exactly who God is, rather than trying to make Him into what we want Him to be.

David now prays in verses 27-29. Listen to his words. “For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.  And now, O LORD God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O LORD God hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.”

David prays God’s Word back to Him in faith and thus he is praying God’s will as well. 

When was the last time you prayed God’s Word or a promise of God back to Him? 

Something I’d like to point out here: a godly desire is not wrong, but it is not always God’s will for you to fulfill that desire. 

Secondly, God said He’d chasten Solomon but His love and mercy wouldn’t depart from him. The promises of God are sure, and not even sin will get in the way of God fulfilling every promise He has given. 

Do you trust God enough to pray for His will and not your own to be done, regardless of your intentions?

Do you believe God’s Word enough to pray it back to Him?

We must be people of The Book, people of prayer, and people of faith. 

With Hope in His Service

Heather