During a time of peace, while “dwelling in his house,” David had a thought which he communicated to Nathan the prophet. The king said, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (2 Samuel 7:2). David felt that, by dwelling in his comparatively luxurious “house of cedar,” that God was being slighted as His dwelling was in a mere tent. It seems as though Nathan agreed, for he said to David, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you” (v. 3). Yet, God had other plans.

Despite his good intentions, David was doing something for God that He did not desire. Ergo, it was an unacceptable gesture. God said, “Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’” (v. 7). Instead, God’s plan was to build David a house, meaning He would establish David’s seed upon the throne (v. 8-17). God’s focus was greater than the physical. He wished to establish the throne of David forever, on which throne the Christ would eventually reign (cf. Acts 2:29-36).

It is incredible how presumptuous men can be. We must not make assumptions based upon our own logic, or feelings, when considering what God wants. We ourselves cannot possibly understand what He wants! “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). It is hard for some to accept, or even comprehend, that God might not want something done as they would have it to be done. Yet, we must understand what Paul noted – “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

It is not for us to decide how to worship God (cf. John 4:24). It is not for us to decide how His church is run (cf. Hebrews 8:5). It is not for us to even decide how we live (cf. 1 Peter 1:13-16). Rather, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).

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