Today's two chapters are virtually the same. Read only one if you are short on time.
Thought to Guide Your Reading
David proactively wants to glorify God and is blessed with a throne for his descendents eternally.Summary in 100 Words or Less
David had a large house and a peaceful kingdom. He asked Nathan why God still lived in a tent.God came to Nathan that night and said because He had never asked for a house, David would become a great house. He would give David peace. David's son would be firmly planted on the throne to build God's House. David's family would have a throne forever.
David was shocked! Why would God make such a promise? He is awesome! There is no one like God or His Chosen People, Israel! David additionally asked God to bless his family forever.
How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right
David surprised God by going above and beyond what God dictated.
God is used to Israel grumblingly, complainingly, and begrudgingly doing what He commands. David's wish to build God a house was completely unexpected (as much as anything we do could be unexpected to the god who knows our hearts). The reason it was unexpected is because no one had thought they were being blessed above God before. David wants to build God a house because he knows his house came from God's greatness. He knows his kingdom has peace because of God's protection. He wants to make sure God is properly honored as well. People after God's own heart do not wait for God to tell them exactly how to honor Him but proactively honor God.God gave David a strong lineage because he wanted to honor God more than congratulate himself for a job well done.
God blessed Abraham with his Promise because Abraham was willing to leave his family and go where God lead him. David receives a promise because he wanted to glorify God more than he wanted to glorify himself. Unlike Saul who eventually wanted all glory for himself, David would not have God's Spirit taken away from him. Those who glorify God above self will be blessed more than those who sit back and congratulate themselves for a job well done.David's son would build a "house" for God
Even though God "resided" in the Tabernacle, He never actually "lived" there. It was a symbol of God living with Israel. David may not have understood the symbolic nature of the Tabernacle. God would have a house built for Him, though. David's son would be the one who had the honor of glorifying God with a magnificent temple.David's only answer: "There is no god like you!"
David went to sleep one night thinking he would build God a house. In the morning he learns not only will his son be the one with that honor, someone from his house would be a king forever. This is why David's only answer is,What's left … to say to this - to your honoring your servant, even though you know me, just as I am? O God, out of the goodness of your heart, you've taken your servant to do this great thing and put your great work on display. There's none like you, God, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we've heard with our own ears. (1 Chronicles 17:18-20, The Message)
Israel was a unique nation because of what God accomplished for them.
Why Israel is unique is misunderstood constantly. Many people believe God made Israel unique because he wanted a favorite people, like a father has a favorite son. What makes David unique among many of his peers all throughout time is the fact that he knows Israel's uniqueness comes from God and not themselves.And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique in the earth, whom God set out to redeem for himself (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt? You established for yourself a people - your very own Israel! - your people permanently. And you, God, became their God (1 Samuel 7:23-24, The Message)God called Israel and made them unique so the nations would know their gods are nothing.
Christians must also understand the source of our uniqueness. Our uniqueness does not come from something that we have done but because God has called us out of the world to become a Chosen People. Our uniqueness is not so we might be God's favorite people in the world. Christian uniqueness is so the world will see how God saves His Chosen People and will want to throw out their gods and serve God.
Surprise God—go above and beyond what is expected of you.
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