Putting God's Kingdom Before My Interests

II Samuel 7.1-2

This man after God's own heart, David, had a heart for God's Kingdom and glory. How that is reflected in the Psalms.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 20:6-7 Now this I know:The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 149:4-5 For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honorand sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 118:15-16 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

Now that God had given Him victory he was able to rest. v.1

He was comfortable, settled and in the place of ruling. He is in a palace fit for a king! Cedar is rare and valuable wood.

He noticed the situation of the worship and honor of the LORD. He determined to change it, make it better.

1. A concern for the LORD. v.2

David was settled.

to rest, be granted rest, settle down and remain
to repose, have rest, be quiet, set down, be left, open space

God had brought David to the place of King over Israel. He had subdued his enemies. After 10 years of being on the run, 7 1/2 years of contending with the remnants of Saul's loyalists, David ceaseed to be a fugitive and nomad and ruling over a portion of Israel and has a peaceful magnificent home In Jerusalem.

It must have seemed odd at first not to have to be moving at a moment's notice and hiding out in caves. It must have seemed wonderful.

Yet...
David was unsettled in his heart and mind
He was in the palace. The Ark of God in a tent.

What unsettles you?
David reached a point in his life when he could sat back and enjoyed his situation. Some might even say he deserved it or earned it. Some might have said, "No one is going to blame you." Be careful when people say that to you!

He would not entertain the thought. He knew he was where he was because of the LORD!

David had become rich in earthly goods but he unlike so many others had not forgotten the LORD Who had brought him to this place.
Jesus spoke of the possibility of this happening in a believer's life.
Luke 8:14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

David was unsettled because of the House of the LORD!... its situation.
Are we?
Are we upset enough over the persecution of the church around the world?
Of the spiritual condition of the church in the United States?
Of the lack of salvation in loved ones and friends and neighbors?
Are we at ease in Zion?
Amos 6:1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Are we in danger of becoming indifferent to the sinners plight?
Are we more annoyed with them than burdened for them.
We need a holy dissatisfaction.

Once again, as the Bible regularly does, we are warned not to get too comfortable with our gifts and privileges from God.

2. David wanted to do something about it. v.2

It was his desire and God's will to make Jerusalem the center of worship. His city, the city of David was located down the hill of the Temple Mount. He was putting God's kingdom first in his heart and on the landscape.

He had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. c.6

He knew it was the LORD Who brought the children of Israel into the Promise Land and that it was the LORD Who brought him to the position of King of Israel.

David's heart overflowed with gratitude to the LORD.

In bringing the ark to Jerusalem he was establishing as the center of worship for the young nation.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for his inheritance.
David was making the place of his rule, the headquarters of His administration, the center of worship of the LORD. This was God's choice but David made it so. He was a man after God's own heart.

The city where decisions would be made affecting all of Israel would also be the place where the people came to worship at the feasts, the place where daily prayers were said, where sacrifices were offered and where sins were atoned for.

David brought the spiritual worship together with the leadership of the nation. The King's Palace was just down the mountain from the place where David wanted to build the temple. His neighbors were the priests. The worship could be heard from the temple mount in the palace. Visits to Jerusalem by Israel's citizens and foreign dignitaries showed that David put the Kingdom of God ahead of his own.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

By wanting to build a house for the LORD David was showing his desire to be under God's authority. Wise leaders put themselves under God's authority. They lead the people in worship of Him Who sits on the Throne of Heaven, to the King of kings an LORD of lords.

Wise leaders worship the LORD and honor His laws.

Hebrews 7.1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,


3.God had greater plans, much greater plans! vs. 4-17

He always does.
Bob Pierce
Billy Graham

Your life.

Our lives as a church.

Ongoing work ... things done for Him are Eternal

His work goes on around the world. What a privilege to be part of His Everlasting Kingdom. What a blessing to put it first!
1. It puts everything in proper perspective.
2. It helps you focus on the the eternal and not the temporal
3. It gives order to priorities.
4. It brings joy and satisfaction. It does not let you down.
5. It is the only way to live.

Mary's song