A Change of Plans

“And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under curtains.’” (1 Chronicles 17:1, NASB95)After David had completed the task of building a government inJerusalem, he worked diligently to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the city, constructing a Tabernacle and conducting a great ceremony of worship.  This was so thrilling to David and all ofIsraelthat David determined to build aTemplefor God.  His intent was right, but God had another plan.While David said he would build a house for God, God said “I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you” (1 Chronicles 17:10).  God wanted to do for David what David wanted to do for God!God then proceeded to give David an unbelievable promise that was not fully understood until the coming of the Messiah.  In building David’s house, God said, “I will set up one of your descendants after you…I will establish his Kingdom.  He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever” (1 Chronicles 17:11-12).  While this prophecy was partially fulfilled through Solomon, who later built aTemplefor God, the prophecy was not really about Solomon, it was only foreshadowed in Solomon.  The prophecy was fulfilled in a later Son of David, Jesus Christ!  It was this later Son who would build for God a house and Whose throne would be established forever.  In fact, the next verse states “I will be his father, and he shall be My son…and his throne shall be established forever.”  These words were repeated in the New Testament.  First by Gabriel who said, “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will rule over the House of Jacob forever.” Then, at Jesus’ baptism, God said, “You are my beloved Son!”This experience, no doubt, was later in mind as David penned the words,  “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it…" (Psalm 127:1).Are you dwelling in the House God built; the House that is His Son, Jesus Christ? In His Grace,Dr. Randy White