This week’s study asks some deep, reflective questions. Sometimes such questions help reveal your true image of God. Does your image of God line up with scripture? How do you respond when life lets you down? Where do you find hope in the midst of disappointment? The book of John tells us that Jesus warned us that “…in this world you will have trouble.” Yet sometimes when trouble and hardships visit our life, we are surprised, confused and can even feel like God does not hold up his end of the deal. What do YOU believe about the character of God? Do you believe HIs words from scripture, or do you respond based on how you feel about your circumstances?
Pastor Adam stressed the significance of this chapter of the book of Samuel in the big picture of the Bible. In it you can see the thread woven for redemption through Jesus via the lineage of David. God’s “no” to David helps us understand more about the Bible and about God and his bigger view. God sees it all and his “vetoes” are for important reasons we most often cannot see or know. It is easy to take this for granted as we enter into events this week that happened many years ago and we can NOW see the bigger picture. God knows your future. He knows my future. He sees and knows beyond Covid 19. He sees and knows beyond your current situation - whatever it may be. Can you rest in that today and this week?
INVITATION: Woven into this week’s study are three primary take away’s from the life of David in regard to the “no” he got from God. 1) Be aware of God’s grace in your life; 2) Be able to thank God for his “veto” power in your life, and; 3) Trust God with your future. Join in as David desires to do something big and noble for God. His heart was in the right place and his intentions were good, yet God’s answer was “no.” Have you ever had a “no” from God for something you believed to be “right” and “good” and maybe even noble?
MONDAY: 2 Samuel 7:1-2: An ancient prayer for a service at the end of the day says, “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.” The purpose of resting in the Lord is not merely to relax and refresh ourselves; resting is also eliminating distractions so that we may be fully aware of the presence of God. Before going to sleep this evening, repeat to yourself several times, “I rest in the Lord.” If you wake up before morning, lie very still and say the name of Jesus, or say again, “I rest in the Lord.” Perhaps you can use this exercise any time you take a break from work or stop for a period of relaxation. Some people call this type of prayer a “breath prayer.” How can you implement breath prayer - and resting in the Lord - in your week?
TUESDAY: 2 Samuel 7:3-7: God tells Nathan to tell David “no” regarding building the ark of the covenant a “house” as opposed to the tent it was in. In verse 7 God posed a question: "did I ever question why you had not built me a house of cedar?” It appears as if David - as good-hearted as his idea might have been - came up with it all on his own. He was making plans on God’s behalf. God would have prompted him earlier if he had wanted a house made of cedar. Do you trust God to prompt your heart on matters? Do you have spiritual practices in place to listen and watch for the voice and movement of God? If not, why not? Do you sometimes make assumptions or plans on behalf of God?
WEDNESDAY: 2 Samuel 7:8-11: These verses review all God has done in establishing the “house of David,” which ultimately leads to Jesus. Scripture is full of instructions to “remember” and look back on God’s faithfulness. Have you ever done this as a spiritual exercise or practice? Some people do it daily in a type of prayer called the Examen. Here is an article about that type of prayer. Others do this type of practice at the end of the week, or month or year. Do you have any spiritual practices in place to recall and remember where you have seen the hand of God and His movement in your life?
THURSDAY: 2 Samuel 7:12-17: David can only see his current situation. We only see our current situation, and often we don’t see that clearly or concisely. These verses refer to God’s bigger plan, but even as Nathan revealed them to David, he still didn’t understand their full meaning and implication. The story wasn’t over. Your story isn’t over. It is part of a bigger story. A love story written in blood when Jesus died for you. Just as David’s story is intertwined with Jesus, so is yours. How can you invite Jesus into your story more and more this week?
FRIDAY: 2 Samuel 7:18-29: David sits before the Lord and prays. What does your prayer life look like these days? How or when do you take time to commune with Jesus in prayer?
SATURDAY: Ephesians 2:8-10: Sometimes our faith involves “just sitting” in God’s presence. Perhaps actively praying. Perhaps listening. Sometimes this can feel like we are doing “nothing” or being lazy. However, often times this is the best way to discern God’s movement and voice in your life. Perhaps this is how we know when we are running ahead of God vs. staying within HIS plans and purposes for our lives?