BUILDING A HOUSE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 07 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about surprises. David loved God. He was a man after God’s heart. We may not understand exactly what that means. But we do know that he was not permitted to build the Temple. That would be left for Solomon. But God told David that although he would not build a house for God, God would build a house for him; an everlasting dynasty. We know Jesus was a descendant of David. Just as God told David, Jesus will reign forever!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 07 October 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BUILDING A HOUSE
Do you love surprises? For me, it all depends on the circumstances. Usually I love surprising other people. But I get a bit embarrassed when people surprise me. The example I have in mind is the notices most churches issue every week. In most of them there is a column with names, birthdates, and telephone numbers. The idea is to phone the person on their birthday with a greeting of some sort. For as long as possible I’ve done my very best to keep my date secret. These well-meaning and supposedly encouraging calls I find most embarrassing. What about a surprise party? Have you ever been the subject of one? Organising such an event can be hectic. How do you arrange a party for someone and keep it secret? Has it occurred to you that nothing can surprise God? He is omniscient. Besides which, God doesn’t have a birthday. Well, perhaps Jesus does have a physical birthday. But that’s different. In this regard God always announces His intentions before He acts. Amos tells us: 7 The fact is, GOD, the Master, does nothing without first telling his prophets the whole story. Amos 3:7 MSG In the light of this, let’s spend a few moments thinking about King David. Apart from Jesus Christ, he is one of the best loved men in the Bible. We are told that Samuel informed Saul that God had rejected him as King; - 14 But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of His people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."1 Sam 13:14 NLT The man was David. Now David was not perfect and he knew it. But he loved the Lord. David was a man of war. His hands were stained red with the blood of his enemies. The “Bathsheba” incident confirms he was subject to the same temptations we experience. He wanted to build a temple for God. David was the architect of the first Jerusalem Temple. His chief aim in life was to build it. All his personal wealth was given to finance it. Through the prophet Nathan, David was told God had said he was not to do so. It would be built by his son, King Solomon. Nathan added that although he (David) had wanted to build God a house, God would build a house for him. An everlasting dynasty. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before Me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.'"2 Sam 7:16 NLT This was David’s big surprise. To say he was “gob-smacked’ is an under-statement. We are told: King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far? 2 Sam 7:18 NLT How do we handle such surprises? You tell me! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			29 And now, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You. For You have spoken, and when You grant a blessing to Your servant, O Sovereign LORD, it is an eternal blessing!" 2 Samuel 7:29 NLT 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed and it is blessed forever." 1 Chronicles 17:27 ESV 22 It is the LORD'S blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it. Proverbs 10:22 GW 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35 TNIV 13 Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the handicapped, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then you will be blessed because they don't have any way to pay you back. You will be paid back when those who have God's approval come back to life." Luke 14:13-14 GW 34 "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. 36 I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' Matthew 25:34-36 GW To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; Psalms 41:1 ESV 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11 ESV	The crafter of a building is called the architect. He puts his plans on paper. His purpose, to reflect, The vision of the building, which he has got in mind. They’re very skilled and competent; is what you always find. They don’t erect the building, although I’m sure they could. A builder takes the set of plans and does just what he should. He brings in brick and mortar, the marble, sand and stone, The wood, the tiles and scaffolding to build what has been shown. Now who should get the credit when all the work is done? The architect or builder? It should be everyone, Who made a contribution to see the work complete. For as folk take a look at it they’ll say, “That’s quite a feat!” Now what about God’s temple? King David made the plans. God wouldn’t let him build it with blood upon his hands. That task was left to Solomon. It took him seven years. But David was the architect. At least that’s what appears. Everything that David owned; all this was dedicated. To build a temple for the Lord, precisely as he stated. God wouldn’t let him build the house; He had a better plan. God said “Your son will build it – he is a peaceful man”. He said He’d build a dynasty that wouldn’t ever end. David was the starting point. God said He would send, A King who’d reign forever. He’d be from David’s line. The “house” He’d build for David, would have a King Divine. David sat there “gob-smacked”. It’s hard to comprehend, That someday He would send a King, Who’s life would have no end. David was His forefather. How do you come to grips, With anything the Lord had said? A King Who would eclipse, Anything and everything that David might have done? A King Who’d rule in righteousness; Who also was God’s Son! I don’t think I could handle that. I think somehow I’d freak! I think I’d sort of shake my head and say, “Lord, I’m too weak! O Lord I’m just a servant and I can hardly cope, With knowing what You’re doing. It’s far beyond the scope, Of all I have imagined. You’d do all this for me? You know I am a sinner Lord. How can You let this be? But Lord, You said You’d do it. So Father, carry on. Thank you Lord for telling me that I will be that one!” Jim Strickland – Written 7th October 2012