#Maditation: 2 Samuel 7:4-17 He will establish a house for you. (2 Samuel 7:11) “What have you done for me lately?” This question has a way of creeping into our relationships, even though we know it shouldn’t. There is a part of us that wants to tie love and affection to merit or getting what we deserve. And it goes both ways: we can demand something from someone else in exchange for our love, but we can also feel that we are worthy of another’s love only if we earn it. David showed some of this kind of thinking in today’s first reading. He had just finished building his palace in Jerusalem when he realized that he hadn’t built a suitable “palace” for the Lord. Perhaps he worried that God might be jealous of David’s new palace or that God might forget about his promises if David didn’t do great things for him. God was quick to set David straight. He told him that he had never complained about the tent-like structure that housed the ark of the covenant. Then he reminded David that his favor wasn’t based on David’s actions. “It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock” (2 Samuel 7:8). God would always be with David; he didn’t need to earn God’s favor through lavish building projects. In fact, God didn’t stop with reaffirming past promises. Rather than having David build God a house, Nathan told David, “He will establish a house for you” (2 Samuel 7:11). God wanted to establish a dynasty through David and a kingdom that would spread God’s light to all the nations. This story shows that God’s plans aren’t just gracious and loving; they’re also much greater and more life-giving than we often imagine! Do you, like David, worry about what you have done for God lately? Are you afraid that he might forget about you if you don’t get his attention? Put away your doubts and fear. God’s love for you is constant and unchanging; it always has been and always will be. And what’s more, he has things in store for you that you can’t even imagine. Rest in his love, and take joy in sharing it with others. “Lord, thank you that you care about my life. Use me in any way you want to bring glory to your name.” -wau.org-
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:03:03 +0000
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