THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, July 21 was led by Pam Murphy and her theme was “God Builds the House – Or Let God be God”. 

Hilary spoke briefly about promises – some in adverts that we know well and some of the more than 8,000 promises in the Bible.

As the new King of Israel, David had captured the ancient city of Jerusalem and he had begun to rebuild it to be the “home of Israel”, calling it “The City of David”.

Inside Jerusalem he had a cedar palace built for him by carpenters and stonemasons – a home fit for a king.

David intended Jerusalem to be the home for the Ark of the Covenant too.  Previously, we had heard how he had brought the Ark to Jerusalem and how they had set the Ark of the Lord in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it.

Now, in Samuel, we meet David thinking that somehow something still was not quite right.

Talking about it to Nathan, the prophet, he explained how he felt – “Here I am all comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Ark of God sits in a plain tent”.

He, David, the eighth son of Jesse, who had started out as a shepherd boy was now living in a palace whilst the Ark – for them the very presence of God – was in a tent.

So David outlined his plans to Nathan to  build a temple. Nathan agreed that it seemed an appropriate thing to do.

Of course, God knew  David was planning to build a “proper” house for the Ark, but He had other plans and He told Nathan to speak to David again.

So, Nathan had to go back to David with God’s response: “You, David, want to build me a house?”

God said: “I have never lived in a house. I have been on the move, travelling everywhere with my people as they have lived in tents. I brought you out of the pastures and among sheep to be a ruler and I have been with you in harsh and difficult times with your enemies. No! I will build  a house for you!”

Blessedly, King David, flawed and fragile human being though he was, took this instruction well and David, recognising God’s greatness, went on to thank and praise Him for His promised blessing.

So, what was this house that God promised to build for David? 

We may be familiar with influential or important families, particularly royalty being called the house of Windsor.

They are not referring to a building but to a dynasty – to a family lineage.

Long, long after David’s son Solomon had actually built a temple, the ultimate outcome of David’s house or line was in Jesus, the Christ, God’s own son incarnate born through Mary who was of David’s line – as God had promised. 

Amongst other of God’s promises that we have looked at, this is the one to King David in today’s reading: “I will make your name great, I will provide a place for my people, Israel, I will establish a house for you.”

God’s promise is that from David’s blood-line, God’s own Son will be born and it is He who will be the house for God’s name. God will build the house: His Son, Jesus will be the very cornerstone of the house.

The message to David from God – and to us too, is to let God be God.

For us not to keep wanting to take the initiative and leap in and do things that we think will be good for God, but to prayerfully let Him show us His plans, His ways and then to do as God asks of us.

Listening to Jesus’ word and following in His ways daily, and ever ready to be inspired to change and be changed, and to renew the practical ways we serve Him.

We worship a transcendent God who cannot be confined; a God of wisdom and insight who changes lives.

We will never be able to fully know God’s ways because they are far above our human understanding, but God invites us to be actively involved in His plans.

I spoke about housing being important and how when a house is lived in, it becomes a home and a reflection of our personalities.

When we welcome God’s spirit to dwell in us, to be alive in us, the God-willing we will – as He enables us – reflect Godliness in all we are and think and do in Jesus’ name.

Bronwyn Nott