BUILDING IN HIS MERCY

Recorded in 2 Samuel chapter seven is the story of King David wanting to build God a house. After some back and forth with Nathan the prophet, the Lord stated He had never wanted a permanent house to dwell in; He's always been a God on the move with His people. Furthermore, David would not be the one to build it. Instead, the Lord essentially told David, "I will make for you a house – and a sure one at that – a royal dynasty! After you are gone, then your descendant will build Me a house, and I will also establish his kingdom forever. He will be My son, and I, His Father." My Bible footnotes that in verses 12-16 (worth reading - actually, why not the whole chapter? - it's great!), we hear a merging of the Messianic Son of David with the natural son of David. At this point, the son is unnamed, but we know it will be Solomon. Here's what specifically spoke to me:

When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the sons of men. But My mercy and loving-kindness shall not depart from him, as I took them from Saul, whom I took away from before you. - 2 Sam. 7:14b-15 AMPC

Though we, too, may be chastened everyday as sons, the HUGE upside is the Lord's mercy and lovingkindness will not depart from those being built in Him, those allowing themselves to be built by Him, and also those submitting themselves to build with Him. In the midst of our stumbling sin and imperfections, trials and chastenings, humbly pause and revel at that thought: "But My mercy and loving-kindness shall not depart..." Things can be tough, but could you imagine "going through it" without the mercies of God undergirding us? We could be Saul; God forbid. Saul’s attention had shifted from building with and for God to building for himself and men. Gratefully, we as believers can cry out and be heard, as many others, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The author of Hebrews said it well:

"But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul." - Heb. 10:39 AMPC

Who knew, the Lord making and establishing our house, as a royal dynasty of kings and priests, no less, would be His priority? And in the process, almost as a sidenote, His house is built!

Let us identify with David's heart in Psalm 61:

Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
You will prolong the king's life, his years as many generations.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.

  - Elese