Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you. 2 Samuel 7.3
Like David who had a desire to build God a temple, sometimes we might have some uncommon ideas about what we might want to do for God. And while there isn’t anything wrong with ‘doing stuff’ for the kingdom, let’s pause before we run ahead and crosscheck with God if He really wants us to do it. Sadly, many have gone ahead to invest lots of time, effort and resources in journeys God never approved and projects that were not sanctioned by Him, many years later they wonder why there is an absence of fruit or results.
David was quite meticulous on different occasions as he asked God for guidance and direction before he went ahead to do certain things. But on this occasion, the Bible is silent about any discussions David had with God on this matter instead he spoke to the prophet Nathan who was quite confident that God would be ok about it. We may share our ideas and plans with others, but their opinions should not be upheld above God’s will.
When we run ahead of God, we might end up exhausted as He has not provided any grace or wisdom for us to take on that task, even when we continue to labour in our strength, we might not receive the joy and fulfilment that God is with us. There are others who are upset that they have no willing hand to partner with them or no funds to execute their many plans, I wonder if these might be signs that God’s absent on this one. So it’s not how much we want to do for God that matters but what He wants to do through us.
Are we surprised that even a prophet of God didn’t know the mind of God at this time and misled someone? Let’s never forget that pastors or prophets are still imperfect people. Many have been cajoled into getting married to certain partners because their pastor said so or resigned from their jobs because some respected spiritual leader assumed God might be calling them into ministry or those who sold and gave out all their possessions to live in a nunnery because some priest was certain God has said so. The list is endless of the nightmares people are experiencing because someone’s opinion was upheld over God’s word. One wonders what judgement awaits those who have led many astray in God’s name.
Building God a magnificent temple must have been a laudable assignment at the time but just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should as not every good task is a godly assignment. While on earth, Jesus didn’t visit every village and heal every sick person, but He did whatever the Father had commanded Him to do. There is a time and season for every purpose. In our fast-paced world, many feel uncomfortable being still and doing nothing. And while doing stuff for God is commendable, He’s more interested in our relationship with Him. Sadly many doing so much for God have no time to spend with Him.
We may be up and about doing so much for God but He is able to see through our motives for service. There are people hiding behind regular church attendance and labouring for the kingdom as an excuse to run away from marital conflicts at home, others are insecure and seek so much attention, while they claim to be busy for God, they are building monuments for themselves and competing with others, some who don’t feel they deserve God’s mercy and grace often feel indebted and under pressure to do this and that to earn God’s unconditional love. What are my motives for service?
Could we be exhausted or frustrated, wasting time, effort or resources because we are doing what God hasn’t asked us to do, running ahead in other people’s lanes, building other people’s empires whilst ours lie in ruins? Will some be surprised on the last day having worked so hard for the kingdom but receive no reward? May the Lord grant us wisdom and discernment to drown out the noise of our selfish ambitions, the pressures and unrealistic expectations from others or even the enemy leading us astray.
So how do we discover what God’s will is? Unlike the old covenant, with the new covenant, all who have surrendered their hearts to the Lord can hear God and speak to them directly, we no longer need popes, priests or pastors to mediate on our behalf. We can ask God to reveal His will to us. God’s will brings peace not confusion, it doesn’t leave us in a desperate place but dependent on Him, is for His glory alone and not for our credit and is somewhat connected to His ultimate plan and purpose for us, many times this requires courage and launching out in faith. The longer we linger in God’s presence the clearer His will be.
Nathan was a prophet who was in touch with God. Even though he had encouraged David to go ahead with plans to build God a temple. As soon as God speaks to him, he runs back to David with the proceeding word of God. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he got this one wrong and God’s priority was different. David also had a humble and teachable heart to receive a different message, he may have had his plans, but he was willing to submit and surrender to the authority of God. When major decisions in life have been made by wrong counsel, it’s sometimes difficult to backtrack and many are living the dire consequences of not being led by the Lord.