2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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DAVID’S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A HOUSE (III)
FRIDAY, JULY 24
2 Samuel 7
Matthew 24:1-2
“Verily I say unto you,
There shall not be left here
one stone upon another…”
DAVID’S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A HOUSE (III)
The house that David was proposing was a physical structure. My teacher (the late Rev Dr Timothy Tow) observed that an institution like a church is not a monument, but a movement. Many people give the most attention to a church building to ensure that it is well constructed and made attractive. This is fine when it reflects our commitment to the Lord. However, if it is for show, then it is reduced to a monument and has no spiritual significance.
It was the same in the days of David; the Lord wanted him and his people to know that the house of God is not merely stone, mortar and cedar, but a movement with hearts yielded to God. This was the point that the Lord wanted to instil in the heart of David when He said “No” to David’s proposal to build God’s house. The Lord said that all along the structure that was called the house of God was the tabernacle. That had been sufficient. A building was not the priority.
The Lord recapped what He had done for David: taking him from the sheepcote to making him a ruler of His people. He promised a place for the people of Israel, one that was their own. The Lord even told David that He would make him an house. This was done so that David did not need to focus on building an earthly house for Him.
Even though God’s house was eventually constructed, that did not make holy all the wicked kings of Israel. The house was there in Jerusalem, but when the hearts of the people departed from the Lord, they worshipped idols. In the end, the Lord allowed it to be destroyed by the enemies of Israel. It was a lesson for the nation to learn that they could worship the Lord without a house of stone and mortar.
What is the primary quality of the church today? It must be the spiritual quality of the invisible church. Those in it are the saints. Jesus ministered in the second temple and foretold its destruction, but His kingdom lasts forever.
THOUGHT: God’s Kingdom is true faith in a redeemed heart.
PRAYER: Father, may I not miss the blessing of Thy kingdom.