I Chronicles 17 (NIV)

Summary:

God's Promise to David
Verses 1-15

Once David was settled in his palace, he told Nathan the prophet that he didn't feel right living in a palace of cedar while the ark of the covenant was in a tent.  Nathan told him to do whatever he had in mind, because God was with him.

That night, God spoke to Nathan to tell David that he was not the one to build Him a dwelling place.  Since the emancipation of the Israelites, God had moved from place to place, with the Israelites, never asking their leaders (known then as the judges), who were commanded to be shepherds over Israel, why they hadn't built Him a house of cedar.  God had taken David from the pastures and following his flock of sheep to become ruler of Israel.  God was always with him, cutting off his enemies.  Now, God would make David's name as one of names of the greatest men on earth.  He would provide a place for Israel to be rooted, to have a home and no longer be disturbed or oppressed by the wicked as they had been before.  God would subdue David's enemies.  He would build this house for David. 

After David would rest with his fathers, God would raise up David's son as a successor and establish his kingdom.  David's son would build God's house.  He and God would be like father and son.  God would never remove His love from him, unlike David's predecessor (Saul).  God would set him over His house and kingdom forever.  He would forever establish the throne of David's son.

Nathan reported everything God said to David.

David's Prayer
Verses 16-27

King David went in and sat before God, asking who was he and his family that God had taken him so far?  God didn't stop there; He had spoken about the future of David's house.  God looked at David as if he was the most exalted of men.  David was at a loss as to what more to say to God for honoring him.  For his sake and for God's will, the Lord did these great things and made great promises.

There is no one like God and He is the only God.  There is no other nation like Israel, the one nation God redeemed for Himself, to make His name known, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before them.  God made Israel His own people forever and He was their God.  Let God's will for David's house be done, to glorify His name, so others will know He is God over Israel and David's house, and so that God's servant would be established forever.

God had revealed His plan for the house of the ark.  David now had courage to pray to God.  He praised Him - He is God, He made good promises to His servant, was pleased to bless David's house and continue his line forever.  David would forever be blessed.

Lori's Thoughts:

If we are ever inspired to do something for God, we must consult with Him first.  His will, not ours be done.  David wanted to do a beautiful thing for God.  God was establishing all the tribes of Israel in their promised land.  David wanted to establish a permanent place for the ark of the covenant to dwell.

Through the prophet, Nathan, God told David that this was not meant for him to do.  However, God showed David how He had blessed him and would continue to bless him.  God would always show His love to David and his family; He would make David's name great (we all know him, and the City of David [Jerusalem] still exists), and David's line would be the royal line forever.  I know lineage was very important to families of that time, so this was a high honor for David.

David was an obedient servant of God.  Because of his devotion to God, God blessed him beyond what he asked for or imagined.  David was so humble in his response - "Who am I, that you think so highly of me?"

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'." (I Peter 5:5b, Proverbs 3:34)

Although God's answer to David was no, He made sure that David understood why.  It wasn't because David wasn't valued.  Sometimes God will tell us no when we desire to do something for Him.  Sometimes God does it for us, as He took over the building of the house for David.  Whatever His will is, submit to it.  He sees the bigger picture, which we can't.  We must trust that He knows all.  Watch how He works everything out and blesses you, His servant, beyond what you can imagine.  Why?  Because, despite our minuteness compared to the universe, He loves us.  That's enough for me.

I love David's response to God's promises:
-Humility
-He praise God, acknowledging Him as the One, which is what God wants all people to do.  This is how we show Him love, by worshiping Him alone.
-He spoke of how God had blessed Israel and thanked Him.
-Let God's will be done -
1) To glorify His Name
2) So others could know His greatness
3) So David's line would be blessed forever
**Notice the order: God > others > himself

This is how our priorities should be - honor God, lead others to Him, then receive your blessing.

David grew in his relationship with the Almighty.  He had courage to pray, to talk with God.  Try a relationship with Him and see how He fortifies your mind and soul.