David realized how God had truly blessed him. An unknown, lowly shepherd chosen as king, becoming a powerful leader, a respected man of God. As he was sitting in his magnificent palace, he realizes that he does not deserve this while God’s ark is in a tent with no permanency or honor. David desired to honor God and his ark by building a more permanent structure. His heart was in the right place, yet this was his plan and not God’s.
Nathan became God’s messenger and had the task of telling David that he was not God’s chosen one. God needed a man not of war and bloodshed but a man of peace to accomplish this.
David must have been disappointed, yet he obeyed God and was able to put his plans on hold as he trusted God to have a better plan. How do we respond when we want to do something for God? When we make plans but then God shuts that door, do we complain and rebel and try to keep pushing forward? Do we stop, trusting that God has another plan and step back from what we wanted to do? Although David’s desire was commendable in wanting to honor God, he neglected to do one important aspect of this. In his enthusiasm, he forgot to seek God in prayer, asking God what he desired for his house and who should build it before he started planning it out. I have tried this strategy and can tell you that it does not work and can cause more confusion than it solves. Even in our enthusiasm we need to stop and pray first, waiting for God’s clear direction before we proceed.
God closed one door in David’s life, yet he opened a new door for him because he was obedient and listened to God. God will still respond in this way with us, when he closes one door, he will open another for us when we act in obedience. We just need to wait patiently for him to open that new door and opportunity.
Trust God to open the doors that are meant for you, and when he does, walk boldly and confidently through them knowing that God is by your side.
Eleanor Chew, Fairhaven, Mass.
Extended Scripture: 1 Chronicles 18–20
