The Fourth Sunday of Advent (OT)

2 Samuel 7:1-16

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.’ ”

After just reading 2 Corinthians 12 it brings to mind the idea that the Children do not save for their parents. It is not the job of the Children to prepare for their parents, but for the parents to take care of protect their children. God will be like a father to David, and his Kingdom. God will build David’s house and the Kingdom of Israel. He will also discipline this nation.

Likewise, God’s promise to David is fulfilled in the Son of Mary. Jesus Christ will sit upon the throne of David forever. Jesus the Son of David will have the Kingdom that does not end. Jesus will then build for God a holy Temple that will come down out of heaven as pictured in Revelation, which is his holy people.

I have often wondered why we have all these little country churches in America (and other countries). In previous generations it would have been difficult to travel much further on Sunday mornings. Why don’t we just have bigger congregations that can do more activities? Amazingly statistics show that a congregation of 50 or less members will have an attendance rate of more than 50%. A congregation of more than 1000 members will have attendance rates less than 35% (I could be just making these numbers up).

It does not matter what the numbers say. Because it is not our programs, nor influence that builds a house for God. It is God who has created us. He has given us house and home, spouse and children. He has given us all we need to support this body and life. He urges us to help one another, not build him some fancy place to live.

God is everywhere. He was never confined to a Temple. He showed his presence with people by wondering with them in the desert. Now he shows his presence with you by the dusty bible on your shelf. Read his word and promise for you. He has sent his Son to redeem you and make you part of his family/Kingdom.