When God says No - Look back, Look ahead

When God says No - Look back, Look ahead 

I am so amazed that age old stories still talk to us today. They still are very much applicable and practical in our present era. The characters during that time faced the same circumstances through which we go through today. It was one such incident that caught my attention in king David's life in 1 Chronicles 17. 

Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.”

I Chronicles 17:1

In his most luxurious home made of cedar, king David seated in his glorious throne,is not thinking how to increase his riches, but is thinking to build a house for God. His desire is for the Lord. In his most prosperous time he didn't forget his Lord and His work. From a human perspective it is such a good plan to build a house for God, to think of Lord sincerely in his heart and so Nathan the prophet approved his plan. " Go ahead".

Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

I Chronicles 17:2

But little did Nathan know that the best of man's intention can sometimes be outside of God's will. God's will was a "No" to David's plan.

“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord : “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.

I Chronicles 17:4

It is Lord the master saying to His servant. It is the Lord's will that must prevail, not the servants. The servant must always be submissive to His Lord's will. Let this be our attitude- " Not my will, O Lord but Yours"- for every shattered dream, for every rejected plan, for every prayer that received a No or wait from God.

But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart.

II Chronicles 6:8

Though David's most sincere and best intention was not approved by God but God did appreciate and reward his desire. Though men may not see or appreciate the best of our intentions but God sees it, appreciates it and rewards it. 

David might have been shattered after knowing God's will. But to my surprise he is sitting in God's presence with prayers, thanksgiving and worship.How?

For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You.

I Chronicles 17:25

David was not disappointed because God revealed His will to him. The real reward is knowing God’s will, whatever it is.

Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth.

I Chronicles 17:7‭-‬8

God revealed David's past and his future.He made David look into the rear mirror of his life and see how far God has brought him. From the sheepfold to the throne, from the sling to the sword, from the tent to the house of cedar. It was Lord of hosts ( God's army ) that won the battles of David. God reminded David of His presence and protection through out the journey. He reminded David that God's plan for him in the past were always good and so His plan for the future is also good.

Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.

I Chronicles 17:10‭-‬12

God made David look into the future promises. The eternal promise of God was far better than the temporal plan of David. God often has plans that are far greater and deeper than even our best imagination or intentions. David’s vision of the future was very limited compared to God’s plan through Him for eternity. It’s the same with us.

As David looked through the rear mirror of his life he humbled himself before this great God - 

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord ; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

I Chronicles 17:16

May God help us to take a halt and look back through the rear mirror of our life and acknowledge the great deeds,the wonderful ways God has led us so far. David realized his nothingness and God's greatness. He looked into the past and thanked God for all His provisions.

“And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said.

I Chronicles 17:23

As David looked through the windshield he looked into the future promises with an awe and admiration and he appropriated those promises through his faith. God gives us the promises,it is on our part to hold on to it through our faith. It is on our part to appropriate and claim those promises in our prayers. David looked into his future and trusted God's promises. 

God's No should not make us offensive but submissive to His will. God's No should not deprive us of our joy but it should increase our joy, knowing that God has a plan far better than our best intentions.God's No should fill us with prayer and worship for His past provision.God's No should prepare us for a greater promise. God knows what is best for us, we just need to trust His plans and be obedient and faithful in what He has entrusted us today. David submitted himself to God's will and he faithfully gathered the materials needed for the building of temple. In God's time and according to His will, as promised David's seed Solomon built the temple of God. God's plan whether in the past or for the future is always good !!