The Greater Yes!

One of the central goals of King David was to return the Ark of the Covenant back to it’s rightful place of honor.  While he resided in a glorious palace, it frustrated him to know end that the Ark remained in a tent.  To David, this seemed not only unreasonable, but disgraceful, and he desired nothing more than to fix it.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 7, we see David expressing his desire to the prophet Nathan.  And in response Nathan tells David, “God ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”  (verse 3)

Nathan wasn’t speaking incorrectly about the nature, character, and promises of God, but he was speaking without consulting the Lord on the matter.  His motives were good, but his movement was incorrect.  He was reacting out of personal opinion and not divine revelation.

And it would be made evident that God disallows His children to go long under mistakes.  In verse 4 we see that that, “same night the Lord said to Nathan, ‘Go and tell My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for Me to live in?’’”

David had thought he heard God correctly.  In his over-zealous but authentic heart, he had understood the Ark to be rebuilt when Israel was settled in Canaan (Deut 12:10-11), and since that time had come that he would be the man for the job. 

But God had other plans.
And His answer, for this particular job of David, even when David’s heart was right, was “no.”

And take note that this “no” doesn’t intimate a wrongfulness about David, OR an alienation from God.  In fact, God still calls David, “MY servant” twice in the text (verses 5 & 8).  And that, alone, is such confirmation of His love for us despite our deficiency.

Nathan took it upon himself to assume what God would do and how He might handle the pious assignment of David’s work that would, indeed, bring honor and glory to God.  But he was, instead, to inform David that, unlike his predecessor, Saul, he would not be the only one in his family lineage to occupy the throne.  David’s son, Solomon, would reign, and the kingdom would be established through him.

David was declined to perform a duty or God, but was certainly blessed beyond imagination by an answer that far outweighed anything He could have imagined for himself.

And if we are being honest, many of us might be unsettled by the “no.”
But not so to our King David.
To David, the reaction served as comfort and assurance that his dynasty may be multiplied through generations that would come after he was gone.  That the seed planted now, would reap a glorious harvest, and to David, that was more than enough.

My commentary says that David, “takes no notice of the disappointment - of his not being permitted to build the temple.”  But instead that he was, “swallowed up by his delight in the store of blessing actually promised.”

We see it in David’s immediate response… his prayer of thanksgiving found in verses 18-29.
One beautiful thing we see, even at the beginning of the prayer is that David was found in a posture of sitting… “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.”  (verse 18)  It would be the only place in scripture we find someone “sitting” instead of standing while pouring their heart out to God.  And perhaps it’s because of David’s intimacy with his Father.  While a servant may be found standing in a posture of petition, David is found, sitting to commune with his Friend.

In refusing David’s request, God grants him greater mercies and higher blessings than the original inquiry.  My commentary says, “How often, when God’s people are worrying and perplexing themselves about their prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way!”

And so may it be with us, and may we be reminded today that God’s “no”, is always for our good and His glory.  A “no” doesn’t mean disfavor and doesn't always mean disapproval, but it’s simply a set-up for the greater “yes!”