There is danger in zeal

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Do you recall these words from Jesus, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)   Has the enemy of your soul ever said in a voice that sounds just like you, that’s not true look at all you have done?  I’ve heard that voice, and I recall Jesus saying, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44b)

What does the above verses have to do with God’s covenant with David, or David’s desire to build a house for God?  Let me attempt to answer those questions, because we know David had a heart for God and I believe his desires were in keeping with that spirit, but more than anything David wanted to please God. 

I’m assuming most of us who are followers of Christ have such a desire, and then the devil begins to say we need to get old Bob religious.  Religious is not the same as a relationship, and when we come to understand we are branches totally dependent on the vine, then we know that apart from Christ we can do nothing.

David goes to a trustworthy man of God his name is Nathan a prophet of the only God.  He told Nathan to look at what God had done for him and that he lives in this beautiful pad with walls of cedar, and the ark of God who blessed me is still living in a tent.  Now that brings us to verse three, “And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”  I like Nathan and it is clear that this man of God loved David as much as your pastor loves you, yet he did not inquire of God, and that is not good when giving counsel. 

But the very same night God had this instruction for Nathan to give David, and it is found in verses 5-17.  “Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 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. 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?”’ 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. 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. 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. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 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, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

There is danger in zeal without the leadership of the Holy Spirit, be very careful when you set your heart on doing something big for God, He is the vine and all we must do is remain in Him, and He will produce much fruit in you.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice