Time for God

Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains." Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you." But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: "Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? – 2 Samuel 7v1-5

Finally, it was done. Peace had come to Israel. United under King David God’s people had their dwelling place.

But David was disturbed. He realised that he was living in this fancy cedar panelled house, but God was still living in a tent. Something had to be done to sort things out so David went to Nathan to ask him about building a house for God. Chapter seven is all about God’s response to that request and the eventual plans to build the temple.

David knew that it was not right that his house was fine and settled, but God’s work was not being done. Things are of course different today. God no longer dwells in a physical temple. Since Christ came God dwells in the hearts and lives of His people. Our physical bodies are called the ‘temple of God.’ The church is also referred to as the temple of God.

We don’t have a physical temple to build like David did. We have something so much more important. God dwells today in our hearts and in His church.

There is still a work to be done. It is wrong for us to focus on our own physical needs and desires when there is so much work to be done in His living temple.