May 20

Written by Bill Grandi on May 20th, 2019

My devotion is titled Change of Plans vs Staying the (Pre-planned) Course.

An interesting exchange takes place in 2 Samuel 7. It says that God gave David rest from fighting his enemies so with all innocence of thought (least that is what I believe), David looks around and sees his beautiful house (mansion of cedar) compared to the tent the Ark was in-where God lived. So David proposes building a house for God to Nathan the prophet. Nathan tells him to do what is in his heart. But God speaks to Nathan and says, “No.” He doesn’t want David to build Him a house. There will come a day a house is built but it will not be David but a son. We now know that son was Solomon.

David has two ways of looking at Nathan’s words:

  1. As a kick in the pants. He could have been offended, hurt, angry, even belligerent enough to say, “I’m building it anyway. All I’ve done for God and this is the thanks I get.” That would definitely have been the wrong approach…and one I don’t believe even crossed David’s mind.  
  2. Humbly accepting the counsel of Nathan and submit his plans to God’s.

So his choice can be summed up as either change your plans or adamantly stay the course. David wisely chose to change his plans. His words in 7:18-29 ring out like a modern worship hymn. He not only claims there is none like God (v.22), he also surrenders to God’s plan asking for confirmation of his offspring building the house (v.25). And all of this is not so David’s name can be great but that God’s name will be magnified forever (v.26).

Such a rich chapter! David’s desire to build a house for God so he’s not in a tent. David’s willingness to listen to Nathan. David’s prayer of worship and surrender.

“Father, may my heart be always as David’s was here. He was a man with flaws, obviously, so he wavered some, but this may be a watermark for him. May my heart always be this sensitive to your leading and be willing to change my plans to accommodate Yours.”

 

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    There is so much to learn with this exchange… Good intentions are not enough. Hard work, resource, and good plans are not enough. This speaks how important it is to really seek God’s direction before pursing a plan that one “believes” is God’s will.
    Perhaps it is God’s will, but perhaps I am not part of the plan… at least not directly. God could very well have a different plan for me.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You are so right Ryan. We don’t know God’s plan, but do need to be ready for whatever than plan is.

  2. Yes, it would have been so easy for David’s pride to get in the way, yet he did submit to God’s will in the end. Another great reminder, Bill, that God’s plans are so much loftier than ours.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You are so right Martha about God’s plans. Step aside pride! I have to be about the Father’s business.

  3. Glynn says:

    Years ago, I was part of a three-man missions trip to eastern Europe. We had a jam-packed schedule for eight days, with no time off for jet lag. the last thing our coordinator told us before we left was “be ready to change the schedule.”

    When we landed in Budapest, we were told that we had been asked to add a side tip to the schedule. The vote was 2 to 1 (I was the 1) not to do it. And then we were all reminded of those parting words. We changed the itinerary — and we changed out lives.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      perfect example of God’s plan being better than ours Glynn. Changed lives is so much better!

  4. floyd says:

    It’s easy to get angry or hurt when we’re puffed up in pride. It’s humility that hears with wisdom.

    If my memory serves me right, David is the designer. Pretty cool. So much talent in one person. Clearly the hand of God was in and on him.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You’re right Floyd about the anger and hurt. Humility doesn’t allow those. And your memory serves you correctly. He made arrangements while alive for the material as well.