17th January 2024
Learn from Nathan
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.” Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”
2 Samuel 7:1-3 NIV
David is sitting in his posh palace, running his desire to build a temple for God past God’s prophet. Nathan has no doubt that God would approve. What was wrong giving David a swift response – after all God was clearly with him. Hadn’t he given David victory over his enemies, which surely indicated God’s approval of David. But Nathan hadn’t asked God.
Whoops. For in verse 4 we read: ‘But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan…’ God is not actually against the desire to honour him with a permanent house, but he does remind Nathan that from the time the Israelites left Egypt he has been with them in a tent and has never asked to live in a ‘house of cedar’. And David has fought too many battles, shed too much blood and killed too many people. He can have a temple, but the honour of building it will go to David’s son. However, God does graciously give David a far greater honour – that of an everlasting kingship.
And so Nathan returns to David to give the exact response and reply from God.
Not long after I had read that chapter I found I had to look for a new gardener. For the past few years, first thing every Thursday morning, I have been working with a retired gardener for a couple of hours to keep the garden under some sort of control. But he is now retiring again. It has proved to be not as easy as it sounds to find a replacement. I eventually found someone who had the time, I could just about afford, and sounded like he’d be the person I could work with. I was about to pick up the phone and take him on, when I thought – wait a minute. Don’t do a Nathan. Pray about it first.
God tells us to cast our burdens on him. But what about the times when the decisions we are making seem to be just little ones. They seem fine and we think we can manage on our own. Why don’t we take these to God too? Of course we should.
Prayer
Our loving Saviour, let us not forget that you are there for us when decisions seem obvious, when the waters are calm, as well as in the times of storm. Amen.
Study by Hilary Buck
P.S. The new gardener arrived and we did some gardening – but I also found myself in a conversation about Christianity.
About the writer:
Hilary Buck is a minister and pastors the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am
Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email: lewes@gracecom.church
Like us on www.facebook.com/Grace Communion Lewes
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church