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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 21 August 2025:
2 Samuel 7:1-2 — Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
David, finally at peace after years of war, turned his thoughts to honoring God. Living in a cedar palace, he was troubled that the ark of God remained in a tent. His concern seems noble — how could he enjoy luxury while the visible symbol of God’s presence was in something temporary? Yet, this passage exposes a subtle tendency of the human heart: to assume what will please God without seeking Him first. David’s zeal was real, but it was not yet aligned with God’s will. Paul speaks of Israel in Romans 10:2, saying they had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
This same misdirection often plays out in our understanding of worship. We can equate devotion with external acts — grand buildings, elaborate rituals, or impressive ministries — while neglecting the inner reality God desires. God’s kingdom is not defined by external structures but by His reign in the hearts of His people. Jesus corrected the Samaritan woman in John 4, explaining that true worship is “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24). The temple God seeks is not made with hands, but of living stones (1 Peter 2:5), people transformed into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29).
It is far easier to construct something visible than to submit ourselves to God’s shaping hand. History testifies to rulers who erected magnificent monuments yet lived corrupt lives. Their works remain, but their hearts were far from God. In contrast, Jesus, who never left behind a single physical building, utterly transformed the world. His “building project” was people. He prayed not for temples of stone, but that His followers would be one with Him and with one another: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one” (John 17:22). His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
When David desired to build a house for God, the Lord’s response was essentially: Do not build me a temple — be the temple. God promised instead to establish David’s house, through which Christ would come, and in Christ we become the dwelling place of God (Ephesians 2:21–22). What God desires most is not cedar beams but consecrated hearts. Our highest act of worship is to yield ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), abiding in Christ (John 15:4–5), bearing fruit that flows naturally from transformed lives.
2 Samuel 7:3-7 — And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
Nathan originally gave counsel to David based on what seemed right to him without actually asking God. Our first response, based upon our own understanding, is often wrong. We need to be VERY careful to understand the difference between special revelation (guidance given by the Holy Spirit for a specific circumstance), Biblical revelation (specific commands and general principles provided in God’s word), intuition, human reasoning, emotional (irrational) decision-making, and careless decision-making based on misplaced presumptions.
By his own calculus, the prophet Nathan inappropriately advised David – “the Lord is with you.” God corrected him, and Nathan had to return to David with a different word. In fact, the Lord was not supportive of David’s intent to build the House of God. Though a genuine prophet, Nathan was speaking from his human perspective and reason — that’s ok if it is understood for what it is and not misrepresented as a word from God. On the surface, there was nothing bad about Nathan’s first counsel – building a temple for God isn’t a bad thing. However, it wasn’t what God intended for David, and therefore would, in fact, be sinful (wrong, off target) – “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) Nathan knew that, in fact, God was generally “with” David, and Nathan was perhaps giving David general advice in lieu of specific direction from God. After all, Nathan did not say, “The Lord says….” However, Nathan’s first counsel, on no small matter, was presumptuous.
Many today are far too careless speaking on behalf of God – “God told me….” or “God has revealed to me…,” when in fact they are speaking from their human perspective (hopefully at least informed by the Bible, prayer, and Christian counsel). Many self-proclaimed prophets and teachers announce new revelation from God which later proves to be false. This is why the Bible says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) How do you test the spirits?
When receiving counsel from others, follow the example of the Bereans who judged the merit of prophecy and teaching from the word of God – “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) God will not tell someone to do something that is contrary to His word.
Also, before receiving a “word” from someone else, consider the source by looking at the fruit of the life of the prophet, teacher, or counsellor. Those in the Bible who were appointed as apostles, prophets, and teachers were not self-appointed but rather appointed by God; were known for their holiness, humility, and love, and usually paid a heavy, heavy personal price for their position, such as poverty, persecution, and martyrdom. Not a hint of pride should be found in a leader, teacher, or counsellor.
If you are deciding alone (hopefully only in an immediate situation), without the advice and counsel of other trustworthy Christians, ensure you are praying (Philippians 4:6-7), in God’s word (Psalm 119:105), and honest about your motives (Christ-centered or self-centered? (Romans 12:2). Then use the intellect God gave you, remaining receptive to the Holy Spirit.
If you are not producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, 23 — “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….), you are not likely making good decisions. Avoid making decisions when you aren’t in the right spirit, emotional state, and frame of mind. At times like that, be still and focus on returning to unity of spirit with Christ. One of the reasons Bible verse memory is so valuable is it is something to hold you accountable when you might be tempted to make an emotional decision.
Finally, when you do make decisions, don’t look backwards – acknowledge they are likely imperfect, trust God to use even your bad decisions for His purposes, trust God’s grace and perfect provision for you, remain receptive to the counsel of the Holy Spirit, learn, grow, and remain joyful and content knowing nothing can separate you from God’s love and providence.
Nathan was a true prophet; but not everything he said was prophetic. When God speaks; there is no doubt that it is God; God’s words will be very clear, and ALWAYS true. Most importantly, God’s revelation will never contradict His written revelation of the Bible.
- Jeremiah 27:15 — I have not sent them, declares the Lord, but they are prophesying falsely in my name.
- Lamentations 2:14 — Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.
- Ezekiel 13:9 — My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions.
- Matthew 24:11 — And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
- Jeremiah 17:9 — The heart is deceitful above all things….
- Proverbs 28:26 — Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 — Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
- Philippians 4:6-7 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Samuel 7:7 – …did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel.., saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”
David intended to do for God what God never desired from him. We can easily get wrapped up in activities, projects, or programs with good but misguided intentions. This is one of the reasons people are so harried and often burned out. “If only I had more time….” God has given you just enough time in the day to peacefully do what He intends for you to do, but no more. What are we doing that was never intended?
2 Samuel 7:8-11 — Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. … And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.”
God flipped David’s desire on its head — David would not build God a house; God would build David a “house” (a dynasty). The contrast is striking: David, from humble beginnings as a shepherd, was raised up by God, not by his own hand. Likewise, our security rests not in what we build for God but in what God builds in and through us. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes believers as God’s household, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone.
2 Samuel 7:12-16 — “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. … But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”
This is one of the greatest promises in all Scripture: the Davidic covenant. God promises a dynasty culminating in a Son whose throne would be established forever. Solomon would build the physical temple, but the ultimate fulfillment is Christ, the eternal King (Luke 1:32–33). God’s covenant faithfulness ensures that His kingdom will not fail, even though human kings stumble. Hebrews 1:5 applies this very passage to Jesus, the true Son who reigns forever.
2 Samuel 7:17 — In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
The prophet faithfully delivered God’s word without alteration. True prophetic ministry does not flatter or simply agree with human plans but communicates the will of God.
2 Samuel 7:18-21 — Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? … And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.”
David responded not with pride but with humility. He recognized that everything was by God’s grace and promise, not his own merit. True worship begins with this posture — acknowledging our unworthiness and God’s undeserved favor. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive?”
2 Samuel 7:22–24 — “Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people … a nation and its gods?”
David’s prayer exalted God’s uniqueness. He praised not only what God had promised him personally but also what God had done for Israel as a whole. Redemption was at the center of Israel’s identity, just as Christ’s redemption is at the center of ours (1 Peter 2:9–10).
2 Samuel 7:25–29 — “And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. … Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”
God’s promise of mercy and grace gives us courage to approach God in prayer and to count on His blessings forever.
David ended by praying God’s promises back to Him. This is the essence of faith: not asking God for what we dream up, but embracing and holding Him to what He has promised. God’s promises in Christ are “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 August 2025: Examine your worship today. Are you more focused on outward acts of service or inward conformity to Christ? God does not need impressive buildings or works to glorify Him — He desires hearts that abide in Him. Seek to become the temple of the Lord by yielding your will, cultivating love, and living in union with Christ.
Pray: “Lord, forgive me for the times I have measured my devotion to You by what I have done rather than by who I am becoming in You. Teach me to abide in Christ, to be shaped into His image, and to reflect Your glory in my heart and relationships. Let my life be the temple where You dwell and reign, and may Your Spirit guide me into true worship in spirit and truth. Build Your eternal kingdom in me and through me, for Your glory. Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 