2 Samuel #09: an exposition of 2 Samuel 7:18-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 7, 2013.
Intro:
There are those times when words are inadequate. There is just nothing you can say that will do justice to the occasion. The words seem hollow. There are no words that can carry the weight of what you feel. Any attempt is seen as feeble or worse yet – insulting. David thought it was a good idea. Pagan rulers built fine houses for their gods why should the true and living God be housed in a tent? He wanted to build God a house, a temple. One that would be fitting for such a glorious God. Nathan, the prophet, even thought it was a good idea. “Absolutely David! Do what is in your heart.” But God said, “No!” There was even a rebuke, “So you’re going to build Me a house? Tell Me, when did I ever tell anyone to build Me a house?” God went on to say that He traveled around in a tent to be near His people. He was not ashamed of where He lived or to be associated with Israel. He wanted David and the people to understand that He, not David, was King over Israel. “David you will not build Me a house rather I will build one for you. I will see to it the ‘house of David’ abides forever.” God told David his throne would be established as an everlasting throne. Now the message has been delivered. The dust has settled. It is quiet. What is David to do? Our text this evening is found in 2 Samuel chapter 7.
Text: 2 Samuel 7:18-29
David was finally established as king over a united Israel.
His enemies have been subdued.
Alliances have been made.
The Ark of God is now at home in the new capital of Jerusalem.
Life is good!
Then grace upon grace David is told that his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. His throne will be established forever. You don’t get that kind of news and do nothing. What David does next is according the Eugene Peterson the most critical act David ever did – he sat down.
He took an action that put him out of action.
He go out of the driver’s seat, he renounced royal initiative.
He deliberately placed himself prayerfully before God the King.
“Then king David went in and sat before the LORD…”
The words of his prayer show that he had listened to the sermon delivered by Nathan and he understand the meaning and the significance of What God was doing. Thus we have recorded for us, in our text, a wonderful example of “grateful prayer.”
It is clear David has moved from being full of himself and his plans for God to being fully attentive to God’s plan for him. It’s no longer about what David will do for God but what God will do for David.
There are times we need to quit whatever we are doing and sit down. Too often we are afraid of being caught doing nothing for God. Yet there are times when doing nothing is the gospel thing to do. David interrupted his plans in order to sit before the LORD in prayer. He entered into the presence of God so that he might become the kind of king who would represent the sovereign God, the true King.
As we work through David’s prayer I want to point out three characteristics of grateful prayer.
1. Grateful prayer begins in a heart overwhelmed by the grace of God. (7:18-22)
- He is overwhelmed by past grace. (18)
- He is astonished by promised grace. (19)
- He then marvels at God’s sovereign grace. (20-21)
2. Grateful prayer understands the unique and glorious place held by God’s people. (7:23-24)
- They are a redeemed people. (23)
- They are a preserved people. (24a)
- They are a privileged people. (24b)
3. Grateful prayer passionately, boldly, and confidently pleads God’ promise. (7:25-29)