King David Series: Love for the House of God

Message 17 April 2016 King David Series # Love for the House of God

After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.  2 Samuel 7:1-2, Ref. 1 Chronicle 21, 22:1

Desire is a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen. Desire is the quest in every person for improvement and growth. It is the mother of dreams and destinies. A desire draws a person towards it. Without desire there is no hope. Without desire there is no passionate action. It is therefore crucially important where you place and direct your desires. 

What marked David as a man after the heart of God? David had a singular desire for the wellbeing of God’s house and to experience it. This was one way David proved his heart was after God’s heart. He loved God with deep passion.  He loved God’s presence, God’s city and God’s house. He composed and sang love songs to the Lord that now comprise much of the Book of Psalms. He was open about his love for God’s house.

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm 26:8

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1

Whatever you desire for God he will in turn give you much more. He will give you according to his terms. Whatever you give from earth be it desire, trust, service  or praise he brings back to you in heavenly form and  measure. This truth is clearly demonstrated by David in 2 Samuel 7.  Since being king he had repossessed Jerusalem the city of God  and was overjoyed to have brought back the ark of the Lord to the city.  David now desired to build a house for the Lord. With the help of King Hiram he had completed his own house of Cedar  (2 Samuel 5:11). He was unhappy to live in such a beautiful house of Cedar when God’s ark was in a tent. He sought a way to honour God for all that he had done. He had spent years in desert caves and camps fleeing. So he carried this strong desire and shared with Prophet Nathan who gave him the go ahead. But shortly after Nathan made correction and declared to David, "The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you." (7:11c)

What David desired for God, He declared for him. He desired a house for God and God gave him a house in his terms. He said you will not be the one to build me a house. Your son will do so. However I am not seeking a house. No house can accommodate me.  Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. ‘I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling (7:5-7).’ I have never asked for a house of cedar because I am more interested in being with my people than being in a house. I want to be a house to them than to seek a house for myself.  Oh that God’s people would also be more interested in being in His presence than to be in a church building.  

It is as if God said –

When I bless you it's not just giving you a job, car, TV or other gadget. It is Sozo – salvation, total well being. I operate in a realm beyond measure. I give to the fullest and uttermost (Hebrews 7:25; John 10:10; Galatians 2:20). Instead of you building me a house I will build you a house.

To you a house is structures made of Cedar. You don’t know a house. ...let me show you a house. Try my dictionary. A house is a structure of ruler ship.  A house is to give you a great name and  to give you a dynasty that knows no end. Because you want me to rule I will let you rule.  One so strong its unstoppable. My desire is not a house for myself but dominion for you. A house is a space where you have authority to rule. You are thinking of a physical house but I have in mind a figurative house of a dynasty and descendants ( 2 Samuel 7:27-29).

It is as someone who promises to give a golf club – the golf ‘stick’ and instead receive a golf club – the place with a golf club house and golf course with all that comes with.

David wanted to build something temporary but got something eternal. He wanted to build something earthly but got in turn treasures of heaven. He wanted to build a material house but got in turn a spiritual house.

  

It was in the context of David’s love for the house of the Lord that the Davidic covenant was pronounced. A fore taste of the New Covenant of Father – son relationship between God and his people (1 Chronicle 17:13, 14. A covenant of grace where he will not take away his mercy as he did with Saul because of the Son of David, Jesus Christ, the one who was so zealous of the house of the Lord that he drove out the merchandisers (Mathew 21:13).

David was so keen to honour God by building a house for him that before he died he made the necessary preparations for Solomon to use in building God a house. He drew up the plans and sourced building materials. When he bought a piece of Land from Arauna and built an Altar on it. He declared it the place for God’s house. ‘Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel (1 Chronicles 22:1). And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.’  A significant place, for the house would be a place of forgiveness. Lives were saved and the curse was broken.  The house of God by its location was a place and attitude of learning and depending on God’s strength instead of on number of soldiers and chariots.

You can also desire to build the house of God and will be amazed at what God will do. You can participate by serving and giving faithfully in your local church and the extension of His kingdom everywhere. You can never outdo God at anything good. You will not only receive a dynasty promise but will experience it. David was amazed by what God promised. http://bible.com/37/2sa.7.18-22.ceb Then King David went and sat in the Lord ’s presence. He asked: Who am I, Lord God, and of what significance is my family that you have brought me this far? But even this was too small in your eyes, Lord God! Now you have also spoken about your servant’s dynasty in the future and the generation to come, Lord God! 

Note:
Psalm 132:3-5

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Village Deep,

 Johannesburg,

South Africa