From the Pasture to the Throne: David’s Journey and God’s Plan
By Dean Collins
The secret to March Madness is peaking at just the right time. For many of us, we love the month of March because we get to watch the best college basketball games of the year over a three-week span. And every year we see strong teams fall to what, on paper, seems like weaker teams. And we see other teams get a little better every game, and the result is that occasionally, we see the basketball version of the David and Goliath story unfold on the basketball court.
As we read 2 Samuel, we watch David peak at the right time. After Saul’s death, David’s reign began. David unifies the twelve tribes and relocates them to Jerusalem. David also brings the Ark of God to Jerusalem. David had experienced God’s protection and deliverance from the pursuit of a tormented King Saul, and David had seen God bring victories over and over again. Now, David wanted to honor God by building a temple where the Ark of God would dwell.
David had a conversation with the prophet Nathan about this plan, and Nathan advised David to pray and let God know the desire of his heart on this matter. God listened but denied his request. Nathan received a word from the Lord that you can read in its entirety in 2 Samuel 7. Here is a profound excerpt:
“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 violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.”
This is profound because it not only affirmed David but also provided us with a promise. Yes, David would be remembered as the most famous king of Israel, but the real blessing would be the arrival of the Messiah from the line of David. We now are recipients of this wonderful promise of the great name of Jesus our Lord and King. We also have the promise that one day we will see rest from all our enemies and not experience any more suffering or affliction. And we, too, will dwell in the house and kingdom of the Lord forever!
Father, we thank you that all of your promises are “Yes,” through Christ our Lord. We pray for courage to remain faithful in our times of suffering as we await your return. We ask you to guide us today as we share the good news of Jesus with those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
2 Samuel 7:1-29 ESV
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