2 Samuel 7:1-22 (ESV)

1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 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.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 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. 7 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?”’ 8 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. 9 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. 10 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, 11 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. 12 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. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. 18 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? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 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.”

Intro: When have your plans been completely wrecked?

OUR RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
How are our religious instincts a problem?

GOD’S GRACIOUS PROVISION
What if our security and standing with God are not determined by what we attempt for the LORD, but only by what He has done for us?

A COMPLETE REVERSAL
What if I’m finally and eternally secure in what Jesus did for me?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His goodness and power over all evil. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for His ability to establish forever all that is good and to conquer – ultimately and finally – all that is wrong.

2 - How have you lived as if you can earn goodness (so God isn’t really necessary)? Confess your unbelief in God’s holiness to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you for treating Him as if He can be bought.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His work to solve the greatest problem you really have (removing your guilt, making you whole). Thank Him for working to do what you cannot do, to change what you cannot change.

4 - Who will you know that believes they must work for God instead of trusting God’s work for them in Christ? Pray for them asking God to open your heart toward them and to make His love known to them.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see your need of God’s grace. Pray for His work to empower you to cease from trying to “build God a house” and trust His promises to build your life for His good mission.