2 Samuel 7 My will or Gods will?

Theological Proposition/Focus: God may not call you to do the task you desire. The real question is: are you content to embrace the task He has given you?

Christ Focus: We tend to want to do for God when He, in fact, wants to do for us. The ultimate picture of this is Christ.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: David wanted to build something "for God." God instead promised to build something "for David."

Introduction

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If you've ever worked with a young child, you know they sometimes want to help in ways they aren't ready for. They may want to drive the car, use the sharp knife, or carry something too heavy. Their desire is good— they want to be involved! But as caretakers, we say no, not to crush their spirit, but to guide them into what's best and safe for them. In the same way, God sometimes tells us no, even to good desires.

We live in a world that tells us we can do whatever we set our minds to. But in God's kingdom, the question isn't simply, "What do I want to do?" but "What does God want me to do?" Sometimes He redirects us, and the challenge is: will I trust Him when His plan doesn't match mine?

Need

We need to trust God even when His plan does not match our plan.

Preview

Today, we will examine how God's plans may differ from our desires and how we can respond to His guidance.

Setting the Stage

Much of 1 Samuel was written to show us that the one fit to rule God's people does not always fit the standard molds of men. The key reason is that God Himself is the true King, and any human ruler is only an under-shepherd, leading on God's behalf. However, this reality complicates things: in God's kingdom, everything must be situated in terms of His rule.

Last week in 2 Samuel 6 we saw that doing the right thing in the wrong way can have devastating consequences. David wanted to bring the ark back to Jerusalem, but he failed to follow God's instructions, and Uzzah's death reminded us that God is holy and will only accept worship on His terms. We also saw that God is our Master, and true submission means both obeying His ways and receiving His grace when we falter. Finally, we were reminded that worship must give honor to God alone—not to ourselves or to gain the approval of others—yet it is still meant to be shared in community. The call for us was to worship God with reverence, submission, and honor, keeping Him at the center of our lives.

This week, we see another dimension of God's rule: God decides who does what. Even when our desires are good and honorable, God may still say, "Wait" or even "No." In 2 Samuel 7 we learn how to properly respond when God says no.

Body

Desire — David desired something good, but that doesn't make it right (7:1-7).

Observation: Peace and prosperity led David to believe it was time for him to bless God (1-3).

2 Samuel 7 is a chapter made up almost entirely of speeches, so there isn't much narrative movement. But right at the beginning, we learn a little about David's situation. He had settled into a rhythm of peace. He had moved into a palace—apparently an impressive one made of cedar—and his enemies were no longer his top concern.

David recognized that this rest came from God Himself. Look at the exact phrasing in verse 1. It says that the LORD had given rest. Yet as David looked around, he also noticed what he saw as a problem: while he enjoyed life in a beautiful palace, God's dwelling, symbolized by the ark, remained in a tent. David desired to build a permanent structure for God, and the prophet Nathan initially agreed.

We need to understand that this was not a bad idea. In fact, God had already said in Deuteronomy 12:10-11:

"But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the Lord."

In other words, God had promised His people a permanent place of worship once they were established in the land.

Image: Kepler bringing me a toy car a few years ago. I didn't need it, but it was him offering me something of his.

A couple of years ago on a Sunday morning, Kepler walked up to me with a gift bag. Inside were two Hot Wheels cars. He knew that I kept a few cars in the coffee table in my office and wanted to bless me by adding to the collection. His heart was in the right place, and I was thrilled. He didn't need to give me those cars, but his desire was good—it was his way of showing love.

That's something we need to realize: it is possible for the lesser to give to the greater. Generosity isn't just about filling a need—it's an act of love.

David's heart was in the right place. His motives were good. He wanted to provide something special for God—to bless God! And that is a good thing. It is right to desire to bless God, to desire to give back to Him. But here's the key: God does not need us to bless Him.

God's response: But God does not need us to bless Him (4-7).

That very night, God came to Nathan and put the brakes on the whole plan (vv. 4-7). Remember, Deuteronomy 12 made it clear that the permanent place of worship would be God's choice, not man's.

David's offer was important, good, even loving—but it was still God's decision. So God asked the question: "Are you the one?" In other words: "David, do you think I need you to do this? Do you think I'm dependent on you?" There have been and will be a lot of important people in the history of God's people. David needs to understand that God does not need David to do this.

God made two points in His response:

1. God is not tied down. The Canaanites thought their gods were regional deities, limited to a place. The true God is not like that. He cannot be confined.

2. God cannot be bought. The cedar wood may have been beautiful, but God could not be placated or impressed by human effort or materials.

Eventually, yes, a temple would be built—but not now, and not by David. The timing wasn't right, and God would not be domesticated.

So what do we do with this? We need to see that David's desire itself was good. The problem wasn't the desire—it was the timing. God responded to David's good desire not with rebuke, but with something far greater: "So you want to build me a house? Instead, I will build you a house—an eternal promise."

That's the lesson for us. We should cultivate righteous desires—but we also need to accept that sometimes the timing is not right. Sometimes God says, "Not yet." Sometimes He even says, "No." And when He does, the question is whether we will still trust Him and wait on His timing.

MTR: Cultivate righteous desires, even if they are not going to come to fruition.

Examples of cultivating righteous desires

1. Pray for opportunities, not outcomes.

• Instead of praying, "Lord, let me lead this ministry," pray, "Lord, give me opportunities to serve where You want me."

• That shifts the focus from my desired outcome to His desired will.

2. Start small acts of faithfulness.

• Maybe you want to be a missionary overseas someday—but right now you can start by supporting missionaries, praying for unreached people, or sharing your faith locally.

• Righteous desires grow when we practice them in the small things.

3. Celebrate when others succeed in the area you desire.

• If you long to lead worship, and God raises up someone else instead, don't sulk—support them and praise God for using them.

• Learning to rejoice when God says "not you, but them" keeps your desires righteous instead of self-centered.

4. Let God reshape your desires through Scripture.

• Regularly ask, "Does this line up with God's kingdom priorities?"

• For example: wanting financial success isn't bad, but Scripture can reshape that into a desire to be generous and use wealth for God's glory.

5. Hold desires with open hands.

• Write down something you long to do for God—then in prayer, tell Him, "I give this to You. If You say no, I'll still be content to follow You."

• That posture keeps desire alive without letting it control you.

transition

David's desire was good, but God's plan was bigger than David imagined. God moves from our desires to His blessing—and this is where He shows His power and provision.

Blessing — God promised David further blessing (8-17).

All of Scripture matters, but there are certain key passages where God reveals truths that seemingly forever shift the course of history. 2 Samuel 7 is one of those paradigm-shifting chapters.

David thought he was going to do something substantial for God. Instead, God turned the tables and promised David something eternal. What we see here is that God is the provider, God is the enabler, and God is the builder of a lasting legacy.

God provides: God is the one who provides your physical blessings (8-9).

God began His promise by reminding David of where he came from. David's rise had been miraculous: from shepherd boy to king. His success was real, and his desire to honor God was genuine—but David needed the reminder that all of it was from God.

I don't think David had outright forgotten this truth, but prosperity can dull our perspective. Now that he was at rest in a cedar palace, David was in danger of losing sight of the source of his blessings. So God gently reminded him: "I took you from the pasture... I have been with you... I have cut off your enemies before you."

And here's the subtle message: David wanted to build something impressive for God, but God pointed out that He had already built something impressive—David's kingdom itself! David's dynasty was already a living testimony to God's provision.

In fact, God promised that David would be made great among the greatest men on earth—a promise echoing the blessing given to Abraham in Genesis 12:2.

Application: God is the provider, and His provision in our lives is meant to be a testament to Him. When we take credit or fail to give Him glory, we are robbing Him of the honor He deserves.

But God's promise didn't stop with David personally—it extended outward.

God enables: God is the one who gives you the ability to bless others (10-11a).

God's promise wasn't just about David; it included blessing for the entire nation. As David's reign grew in prominence, Israel would enjoy peace and prosperity—but that prosperity ultimately came from God.

Here's the principle: when God provides for you, He's not only providing for you—He's also enabling you to bless others.

I think we rarely view our possessions this way. Too often we see them only as things to enjoy or protect. But in God's design, everything we have is meant to be a vehicle to bless others.

Something I truly appreciate in Pastor David is that he really has this attitude. Pastor David constantly looks for ways to be a blessing to people and to give what he has that others might be blessed. I want to challenge you. Instead of just giving your tithe, start looking for other places you can bless above and beyond your tithe.

What do I mean? You should give 10% to the church. But then look for other opportunities to give more. God enables us to give, and I am convinced the more we seek to bless others, the more God entrusts to our care.

Yes, be faithful in giving your tithe—but also look for opportunities above and beyond. Ask, "Lord, how can I use what You've given me to bless others?" The more we adopt that mindset, the more God entrusts to our care.

God builds legacy: God is the one who builds your lasting legacy (11b-17).

Here is the heart of the promise. David wanted to build God a house, but God promised instead to build David a house—a lasting dynasty.

Let's break this down:

1. A son to succeed him—David was promised offspring to continue his line, unlike Saul, whose dynasty ended.

2. An eternal kingdom—God promised that David's dynasty would endure forever.

3. A covenant relationship—God would deal with David's descendants as a father with a son, disciplining them when necessary but never abandoning them.

Ultimately, this promise points to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom will never end. But even in the short term, God fulfilled it through Solomon and subsequent generations, showing His faithfulness to David's line.

Application: You and I can't build eternal legacies by our own effort. Only God can. He alone establishes a future that lasts.

MTR: Give God the glory for all blessings.

1. Career success—You might get a promotion, land a big client, or receive recognition at work. Instead of thinking, "Look what I've accomplished," remind yourself, "God gave me these skills, opportunities, and favor." You then thank Him publicly and privately.

2. Family milestones—When you see your children graduate, get married, or flourish in life, you can acknowledge, "This is not just the fruit of my parenting; it's the grace of God at work." You give Him glory by celebrating His faithfulness.

3. Financial provision—When you are able to buy a home, pay off debt, or experience financial stability, you don't see it as mere hard work or luck. You testify, "God is the one who provided the job, the health, and the ability to earn."

4. Ministry opportunities—If God uses you to serve, teach, or encourage someone, the temptation is to take credit. Instead, you can say, "It is only by God's Spirit working through me that I could do this."

5. Answered prayers—When healing comes, when relationships are restored, or when peace replaces anxiety, you make it known that the blessing came from God's hand and not from coincidence or human effort.

transition

When we recognize God as the source of all blessings, our natural response is worship. This leads us to David's reaction—a heart of praise and adoration.

Worship — David responded to God's promise with worship (7:18-29).

We already know the key truth here: the right response to God's promises is worship. But what does that actually look like?

Recognize our lowly estate: Worship acknowledges our dependence on God (18-19).

The first thing David does is acknowledge that he is undeserving—that he is just a man, a servant before the King of kings. He says in essence, "Who am I, O Lord, that you would do this for me?"

I think there is something here for us to notice. Worship must begin from a place of humility. Notice how the chapter began. David expressed his desire to bless God, an act of worship, but God responded by reminding David of his lowly position. I don't think that it is taking the passage too far for me to say that worship without humility is not worship at all!

Worship must begin with humility. This chapter began with David wanting to do something for God, but God reminded him that every blessing already came from His hand. Worship without humility is not worship at all—it's self-congratulation. True worship bows low before the God who lifts us up.

Recognize God's personal knowledge: Worship acknowledges that God knows and cares for us personally (20-21).

David marvels that God not only blesses him but knows him personally. God's promise was not generic; it was for David by name.

We need to see this too: God really knows us. He knows where we struggle, what we need, and how to work with us in patience. When we worship, we acknowledge that God has not overlooked us in the crowd but sees us individually. Worship is not just about proclaiming truths about God; it is about responding to the truth that God knows me and still loves me.

Recognize God's greatness: Worship celebrates the greatness and faithfulness of God (22-24).

David then turns upward to celebrate the greatness of God. Notice how many dimensions of greatness he recognizes:

• God is unique—there is no one like Him (v. 22).

• God redeems a people for Himself—He acts in history to save (v. 23).

• God does great and awesome works—things no one else can do (v. 23).

• God keeps eternal promises—His word stands forever (v. 24).

• God condescends to relationship—He chooses to dwell with His people (v. 24).

Worship does not stop with what God has done for me. It expands outward to celebrate who God is and what He has done for His people throughout history. Worship magnifies the greatness of God beyond our small lives.

Call God to act consistently with His character: Worship aligns our requests with God's nature and promises (25-29).

Finally, notice how David prays. He doesn't ask God for something new or selfish. He asks God to do exactly what God already promised. In other words, his requests line up with God's revealed will.

There are at least three layers here:

• Declaration of faith—David is saying, "I believe You will do this."

• Declaration of dependence—David is saying, "I cannot make this happen; I need You."

• Declaration of confidence—David is saying, "Your promises are good, so it is good for You to fulfill them."

This is what mature worship looks like: not twisting God's arm to get our will, but aligning our hearts to say, "Lord, do what You have said, because You are faithful and true."

Image: Worship in the Gospel as parallel to David's worship.

That is all great—but we are not David, and God has not promised us a dynasty. Guess what? God has made promises to us, and we can parallel David's worship!

The Gospel is the promise that while we are sinners deserving judgment, God sent Jesus to die on the cross, taking the penalty for our sin. Then He raised Him from the dead, demonstrating His full acceptance of that payment. Now, all who place their complete trust in Christ's finished work inherit eternal life.

Think about this: we can worship just as David did.

1. Recognize our need— we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior.

2. Recognize God's personal knowledge—He knows our sins fully, yet He loves us personally.

3. Recognize God's greatness—in His wisdom and love, He provided salvation through Christ.

4. Call on God to act—by trusting His promise to give eternal life to all who believe.

We don't have a dynasty like David, but we have something even greater: the promise of eternal life through Christ.

MTR: Let's worship God together by celebrating His promise and fulfillment.

David's story shows us a pattern: righteous desire → God's blessing → heartfelt worship. Even when God says "no" to what we want, His plan always leads to blessing and calls us to worship. Our task is to trust, submit, and rejoice in His will.