Should you build me a house to dwell in?’
David may be forgetting that all that he now enjoys is a gift of God. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (cf. Jam. 1:17). When things become comfortable for us we must not forget the source of our blessings. We turn to the LORD in times of trial. But in times of blessing we must be thankful and remember the one from whom all blessings flow.
My kindness is established forever
His kindness is established forever. It is not just in the times of struggle. It is not just in the times of peace. It is forever. That means that there is no time where we need to reconnect with God by a project we begin in our own strength and by our own effort. The project may need to be done. The LORD indeed deserves more than a tent in which to dwell. But it is not our project. It cannot be our project. It must have its beginning in God and grow toward him as its climax and conclusion.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you
The LORD doesn't need a temple. In truth, it adds nothing to his glory. It helps us to recognize and appreciate his greatness. It is something he allows us to have because of his love for us. So, even more than a house for himself, he wants to give us a house. We are the ones who live in pain and fear and doubt to which he is immune by definition. He wants to provide us with a place where we can live in peace. He is not content that we have rest from our enemies round about in the moment. He wants to give us a place where there will be no further disturbance.
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
The place is a person:
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.”
When we abide in Jesus and live as citizens of his kingdom we have peace that the world cannot give or take away (cf. Joh. 14:27). This is where he wants us to dwell: the heart of Jesus himself.
He himself prepares a dwelling place in the Virgin Mary which far surpasses any temple human effort can achieve..
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
He comes first to dwell in our hearts through baptism. Just as with David, he has already taken the initiative in each of us. But also as with David he longs to be even more present within us. We cannot prepare this resting place for him on our own. He will build this house more fully within us if we just ask.
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
His word in us empowers us to remain in him and he in us. It is grace from beginning to end. Let us join the praise of Paul:
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Let our thanksgiving to God be continual. May it mark times of blessing and times of struggle. May glory rise to his throne without ceasing. When it does we need not fear running off to projects which God does not intend. We are open to all he wants to do in us.
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
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