WHEN GOD SAYS, “NO.”

So Nathan said to the king,

“Go, do all that is in your heart,

for Yahweh is with you.”

2 Samuel 7:3

In 2 Samuel 7, King David indicates to the prophet, Nathan, that he wants to build a temple for God. Nathan says, in essence, “Do it! God is with you.” But God says to Nathan, in summary, “No” (2 Samuel 7:4-13). The astounding thing is that God gives David something far greater than the opportunity to build a temple. He gives David a dynasty. When you have a heart for God, then God has your heart (Psalm 37:4). Does God have your heart?

When God reveals to David what He is going to do, David is overwhelmed with gratitude and pours out his heart in humility. Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29. David says in verse 18, “Who am I?” Have you heard that song, “Who am I?” The lyrics go like this:

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt? Who am I that the bright and morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever-wandering heart? (It’s) not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done; (It’s) not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are. I am a flower quickly fading; here today and gone tomorrow; a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind. Still, You hear me when I’m calling; Lord, You catch me when I’m falling, and You’ve told me who I am; I am Yours, I am Yours.”

Do you belong to the Lord? Are you His? Then, like King David, when God says, “No,” He has a better way and a greater purpose. With God, attitude is just as important as achievement. Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-2 to see David’s attitude about God’s “No” answer and what he did. You can do the same!

Ike Graham