Christian Living: When Things Don’t God As We Desire

2 Samuel 7:1-29

INTRODUCTION

A. This week I received an email which stated:

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Obviously this is an appeal for people who probably didn’t have things go the way they had hoped in life, and want the quick way to a possible remedy.

B. The fact is, it is not unheard of for people not to have things go the way they desired. Sometimes plans or dreams in life just don’t go the way we had hoped or desired. It happens at school with studies or friendships. It happens at home with families and it happens at work. The real query in life should be, “How should we handle it when life doesn’t go the way we desired? Should we pout? Should we lie down on the floor and kick and scream like some two year old child during a temper tantrum? Should we go into seclusion?” What can we do to prevent ourselves from becoming hurt by it or devastated by it?

C. Frequently in life, things don’t go our own way, that is, as we desired because we tried to go through life doing it our way instead of the Lord’s way. Let’s consider David’s experience with things not going his way and how he was able to overcome it.

I. DAVID’S PLAN: WE NEED TO TAKE GOD INTO CONSIDERATION IN OUR PLANS (7:1-7)!

David’s Dream

A. ...I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains ... (7:1-3).

1 ¶ And it came to pass, when the king <04428> sat <03427> (8804) in his house <01004>, and the LORD <03068> had given him rest <05117> (8689) round about <05439> from all his enemies <0341> (8802);

2 That the king <04428> said <0559> (8799) unto Nathan <05416> the prophet <05030>, See <07200> (8798) now, I dwell <03427> (8802) in an house <01004> of cedar <0730>, but the ark <0727> of God <0430> dwelleth <03427> (8802) within <08432> curtains <03407>.

3 And Nathan <05416> said <0559> (8799) to the king <04428>, Go <03212> (8798), do <06213> (8798) all that is in thine heart <03824>; for the LORD <03068> is with thee.

1. David's situation was that God given David rest from all his enemies and there is peace in the land.

a. David was king in Jerusalem and Israel is in kind of a Golden Age.

b. David lived in a great cedar palace.

2. David wanted to build a house for the ark of the covenant.

a. People do things for many reasons. At the end of the orchestra concert, one of the ushers was applauding very loudly. Another usher walked over to him and asked, "Did you like the concert that much?" The answer was, "No, but start clapping. If they do one more encore, we will get paid for overtime."

b. Sometimes people are guilty of doing things for what they are going to get out of them. Someone might help a neighbor rake leaves in the fall, not just to be a good friend but in order that the neighbor might let him borrow his snow blower in the winter.

3. Perhaps David was just wanting to occupy himself, maybe to build himself a lasting reputation, or perhaps he was thinking of a way to thank God.

a. Whatever the reason was, David had a dream of building a house in which to place the ark of the covenant of God.

b. It bothered David that the symbol of God’s presence was in a tent, while David lived in a plush palace.

c. However, much like the denominations, like many self-willed Christians, who offer to God what he has not asked for and refuse him what he has asked for, David left God out of the plan.

4. As with the plans of many Christians, it seemed like a good thing to do to David, even to Nathan the prophet, but both had forgotten to consider God’s word on the matter.

Devine Response

B. ...spake I a word ... Why build ye not me an house of cedar ... (7:4-7; 1Ch 17:3-4)?

4 ¶ And it came to pass that night <03915>, that the word <01697> of the LORD <03068> came unto Nathan <05416>, saying <0559> (8800),

5 Go <03212> (8798) and tell <0559> (8804) my servant <05650> David <01732>, Thus saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068>, Shalt thou build <01129> (8799) me an house <01004> for me to dwell in <03427> (8800)? {my servant…: Heb. to my servant, to David}

6 Whereas I have not dwelt <03427> (8804) in any house <01004> since the time <03117> that I brought up <05927> (8687) the children <01121> of Israel <03478> out of Egypt <04714>, even to this day <03117>, but have walked <01980> (8693) in a tent <0168> and in a tabernacle <04908>.

7 In all the places wherein I have walked <01980> (8694) with all the children <01121> of Israel <03478> spake <01696> (8765) I a word <01697> with any <0259> of the tribes <07626> of Israel <03478>, whom I commanded <06680> (8765) to feed <07462> (8800) my people <05971> Israel <03478>, saying <0559> (8800), Why build <01129> (8804) ye not me an house <01004> of cedar <0730>? {any of…: any of the judges}

1. As many still today, David did not understand that God’s silence on the building of a house for the ark of the covenant, was not David’s permission to do what he pleased, in relation to God.

2. God's response to David was expressed in a series of rhetorical questions in which God made it clear he had not ever indicated he wanted a temple built.

a. A man recalled a time when he was a part of the administration of a small college, one which was made up of a college, and a remedial educational program designed to bring young handicapped people up to a college level. He was an administrator with the remedial program. When the college needed a new teacher, he thought he had the perfect candidate. The problem was that the dean of the college had already made his decision. Unwisely, the man spoke to the president of both schools, and was encouraged to go to the dean. That was not a good thing to do. The dean's response to the man’s suggestion caught him completely off guard. “Sir,” the dean responded rather hotly, “who is running this school, you, or me?” The dean having made his decision should have automatically eliminated any other discussions.

b. Similarly, when God has made his decision, and in giving us his complete written revelation of his will to us via the scriptures, particularly the New Testament, we should not be ready to come up with changes to his decision which we think suit us better. We should realize, it is God who is running the church not us.

c. God’s silence on a matter is his decision without an explicit statement (direct command), an approved biblical example or an implicit statement (necessary inference).

(1) He has offered no contingency plan because one is not needed.

(2) We shouldn’t try to fix what is not broken.

(3) God doesn’t want our help, he wants our service.

d. God told Nathan, “Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in” (1Ch 17:4).

e. Some of God’s reasoning was that one who had been so involved in warfare could never be entrusted with the building of a house for God, which was to be the symbol of peace with men (1Ch 22:7-10).

3. Have you ever had any dreams which were shattered?

a. Perhaps it is that you had a dream of something you really wanted to do, and at that, not improper for Christians, but it didn’t work as you had desired.

b. Perhaps you wanted to raise a God focused family but so far you have not met the right person or perhaps your marriage didn’t hold together.

c. Maybe you had a business went bankrupt or a very, good job that didn’t last.

d. Even at a smaller level, such as on important occasion, life can take a curve from what we had planned. During a wedding, the groom or bride may arrive late but through no fault of their own. A microphone might not work, a candle might catch something on fire or something more tragic might happen which would forever, indelibly impair the happy picture.

e. Sometimes our saving are wiped out due to bad investments, our dream home is destroyed, our loved one dies, our spouse abandons us, the doctor gives us bad medical news, the weather destroys our crop or and accident occurs on our vacation.

f. You may have a long or shorter personal list of things that have stopped you in your tracks.

g. Life certainly doesn’t always go as we had expect it to go.

4. There are even times as with David, that we seemingly choose to follow God whole heartedly and yet, life still doesn’t seem to go as we desired. What can we do?

C. God sent Moses and Aaron to tell Pharaoh to “Let my people go” (Exo 3:16-4:16). They first met with the elders of Israel and then performed the miraculous signs God had commanded, before the people of Israel (Exo 4:28-30). As a result the people of Israel believed God was with them and worshiped God.(Exo 4:31) . Moses and Aaron must have been at a high point in life. They were doing what God had called on them to do and things in life were going as it seemed the supposed to go. The spiritual encouragement and confidence it would have given Moses and Aaron, must have been incredible.

1. Then Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh (Exo 5:1-9).

a. They did what God had commanded but the result with Pharaoh had not been as joyful as they had been with the people of Israel (vs 1-4).

b. Pharaoh was angered, sent them away and made life more difficult for the people of Israel (vs 6-9).

2. Though Moses and Aaron no doubt expected some resistance from Pharaoh they probably expected productive results and not what did happen (Exo 5:19-23).

a. Pharaoh not only resisted, he retaliated and his retaliation cased Israel to turn on Moses.

b. Moses, who was confused, questioned God

(1) Moses had gone to do God’s will, to help his people, and not only had it made life more difficult for Moses but it made it more difficult of all the people of Israel.

(2) Instead of having been applauded, Moses and Aaron were shunned. Instead of being respected, they were despised.

(3) It is not hard for us to understand some of the feelings that may have been in Moses’ mind.

(a) Some us might understand those feeling, having through carelessness or even no fault of our own, broken something, someone had loaned to us. Wanting to do good are situation became worse.

(b) Sometime we forget what it is we were supposed to do, our obligation, and as a result someone else has to pick up the slack for us. At work or home, it does leave the ones who have to pick up after us, happy.

Transition: In addition to things not working out in our lives, though we are living righteously, sometimes, as with Moses, as with David, our desire, though not inherently wrong, is not God’s will.

II. DAVID’S PLAN’S REJECTION: SOMETIMES OUR PLAN IS NOT GOD’S PLAN (7:8-17).

A. ... I took thee from the sheepcote ... I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest ... I will appoint a place for my people Israel ... (7:8-10).

8 Now therefore so shalt thou say <0559> (8799) unto my servant <05650> David <01732>, Thus saith <0559> (8804) the LORD <03068> of hosts <06635>, I took <03947> (8804) thee from the sheepcote <05116>, from following <0310> the sheep <06629>, to be ruler <05057> over my people <05971>, over Israel <03478>: {from following: Heb. from after}

9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest <01980> (8804), and have cut off <03772> (8686) all thine enemies <0341> (8802) out of thy sight <06440>, and have made <06213> (8804) thee a great <01419> name <08034>, like unto the name <08034> of the great <01419> men that are in the earth <0776>. {out of…: Heb. from thy face}

10 Moreover I will appoint <07760> (8804) a place <04725> for my people <05971> Israel <03478>, and will plant <05193> (8804) them, that they may dwell <07931> (8804) in a place of their own, and move <07264> (8799) no more; neither shall the children <01121> of wickedness <05766> afflict <06031> (8763) them any more <03254> (8686), as beforetime <07223>,

1. The Lord made it clear to David, it was the Lord who had chosen David to be king, and it was the Lord who would choose where his people would worship him, not David by erecting a temple (vs 8-10).

2. However, even when we want to do great things for God, in building up his church, in doing the Lord’s work, when it seems at least for now, that God has said no to our personal direction, let’s realize, God has not abandoned us.

3. We’ll see this with David.

B. ... the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house ... (7:11-17).

11 And as since the time <03117> that I commanded <06680> (8765) judges <08199> (8802) to be over my people <05971> Israel <03478>, and have caused thee to rest <05117> (8689) from all thine enemies <0341> (8802). Also the LORD <03068> telleth <05046> (8689) thee that he will make <06213> (8799) thee an house <01004>.

12 And when thy days <03117> be fulfilled <04390> (8799), and thou shalt sleep <07901> (8804) with thy fathers <01>, I will set up <06965> (8689) thy seed <02233> after <0310> thee, which shall proceed <03318> (8799) out of thy bowels <04578>, and I will establish <03559> (8689) his kingdom <04467>.

13 He shall build <01129> (8799) an house <01004> for my name <08034>, and I will stablish <03559> (8790) the throne <03678> of his kingdom <04467> for <05704> ever <05769>.

14 I will be his father <01>, and he shall be my son <01121>. If he commit iniquity <05753> (8687), I will chasten <03198> (8689) him with the rod <07626> of men <0582>, and with the stripes <05061> of the children <01121> of men <0120>:

15 But my mercy <02617> shall not depart away <05493> (8799) from him, as I took <05493> (8689) it from Saul <07586>, whom I put away <05493> (8689) before <06440> thee.

16 And thine house <01004> and thy kingdom <04467> shall be established <0539> (8738) for <05704> ever <05769> before <06440> thee: thy throne <03678> shall be established <03559> (8737) for <05704> ever <05769>.

17 According to all these words <01697>, and according to all this vision <02384>, so did Nathan <05416> speak <01696> (8765) unto David <01732>.

1. David was told he could not build a house for the Lord but that the Lord would build one instead for David.

a. The Lord meant he would set David’s son on the throne and thereby establish David’s family dynasty or kingdom.

b. Initially, the promise applied to David's son, Solomon but ultimately, it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (cf. ).

2. Sometimes, as with David, what seems at first to be a set back, because our plans fall through, may later proof to have been the first step toward greater things.

3. Though what happened to Moses and Israel before Pharaoh would probably have appeared as a set back, in reality, God had only been stirring up Pharaoh’s hard heart.

a. Without the lessons God taught Pharaoh about authority, respect and obedience, his hard would not have been hardened and the people of Israel would not have been willing to leave Egypt.

(1) Without the difficulties, Moses and Aaron would not have learned their total dependence upon God.

(2) Without the trails, the people of Israel would not have learned to trust in God.

b. We need to be very careful that when it seems life doesn’t seem to go as we had expected, to not question the importance faithfully abiding in God’s will.

C. At all times we must realize, God’s way is always, the best way (Psa 18:30).

Transition: In handling the unexpected, the difficult, the not so desired things of life, we need to turn to God.

III. DAVID’S RESPONSE: GOD EXPECTS US TO SUPPORT HIS PLAN (7:18-29)!

A. Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD ... (7:18a).

18 ¶ Then went <0935> (8799) king <04428> David <01732> in, and sat <03427> (8799) before <06440> the LORD <03068>, ...

B. ... ... (7:18-29).

18 ... and he said <0559> (8799), Who am I, O Lord <0136> GOD <03069>? and what is my house <01004>, that thou hast brought <0935> (8689) me hitherto <01988>?

19 And this was yet a small thing <06994> (8799) in thy sight <05869>, O Lord <0136> GOD <03069>; but thou hast spoken <01696> (8762) also of thy servant’s <05650> house <01004> for a great while to come <07350>. And is this the manner <08452> of man <0120>, O Lord <0136> GOD <03069>? {manner: Heb. law}

20 And what can <03254> <00> David <01732> say <01696> (8763) more <03254> (8686) unto thee? for thou, Lord <0136> GOD <03069>, knowest <03045> (8804) thy servant <05650>.

21 For thy word’s <01697> sake, and according to thine own heart <03820>, hast thou done <06213> (8804) all these great things <01420>, to make thy servant <05650> know <03045> (8687) them.

22 Wherefore thou art great <01431> (8804), O LORD <03068> God <0430>: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God <0430> beside <02108> thee, according to all that we have heard <08085> (8804) with our ears <0241>.

23 And what one <0259> nation <01471> in the earth <0776> is like thy people <05971>, even like Israel <03478>, whom God <0430> went <01980> (8804) to redeem <06299> (8800) for a people <05971> to himself, and to make <07760> (8800)