Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20020922.htm

1 AND 2 SAMUEL: GOD'S SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN OVERSIGHT
Part XLIV: Learning To FOLLOW God's LEADING Even In Oversight
(2 Samuel 7:1-29)
  1. Introduction
    1. When God places a believer into an oversight position in a marriage, family, church, business or governmental realm, he may assume he is supposed to initiate plans and actions for God's glory.
    2. However, even well-intentioned plans and actions by such a God-appointed overseer must be subjected to GOD'S LEADING for that overseer to be blessed, and 2 Samuel 7:1-29 describes how this works:
  2. Learning To FOLLOW God's LEADING Even In Oversight, 2 Samuel 7:1-29.
    1. Once he was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him victory over all of his human enemies, David noticed he lived in a luxurious, cedar-lined palace where the ark of God was in a tent, 2 Sam. 7:1-2.
    2. Concerned that this state of affairs was improper, and seeking to honor the Lord, David spoke to God's prophet, Nathan about his concern, implying his desire to build God a temple, 2 Samuel 7:2.
    3. Nathan agreed with David's wish, telling him to do all that was in his heart as God was with him, 7:3.
    4. However, that night the Lord sent word to David through Nathan, explaining significant modifications to the plans condoned by both men of God due to God's position as their SOVEREIGN (2 Samuel 7:5-16):
      1. Modification One - God questioned David's plans in view of His previous dealings with Israel, 7:5-7:
        1. The Lord indicated David was not to presume to be the one to build a temple for God as God had been dwelling in a tabernacle for centuries of Israel's history, 2 Samuel 7:5-6.
        2. Besides, God had never complained about dwelling in a tent, meaning there was no need for David to bear the responsibility of "improving" God's dwelling as David would judge it, 2 Samuel 7:7.
      2. Modification Two - God revealed though David's motive was right, he was out of place to LEAD in the matter of a temple for God as he was thus stepping into God's role as Leader of David:
        1. God indicated He was the One Who had elevated DAVID to rule over Israel, so it was GOD Who would build a house and lineage for DAVID rather than DAVID being concerned about his responsibility to build a house for GOD, 2 Samuel 7:8-9.
        2. Also, God declared He would establish a capital for Israel to settle her from her enemies, 7:10-11a.
        3. Besides, God predicted He would establish a lineage for David, raising up a son in his stead after David's passing, and that this man's kingdom would be established, 2 Samuel 7:11b-12.
      3. Modification Three - God claimed HE planned for David's SON to be the one to build Him a temple, 2 Samuel 7:13. God would deal with this son of David as a Father would his own son, 2 Sam. 7:14-15.
      4. Modification Four - God said David's kingdom would be established forever, 7:16. This promise will be fulfilled in Christ Who will rule forever on David's throne, Luke 1:32-33; Isaiah 9:6-7.
    5. When the prophet, Nathan heard all these words from the Lord, and delivered them to David (2 Sam. 7:17), David went into the "tent" of God, sat down as would a subordinate before his KING and spoke unto the Lord as God's SUBJECT as follows (2 Samuel 7:18-29):
      1. David expressed his appreciation for God's elevating him to be Israel's king, 2 Samuel 7:18.
      2. He also expressed appreciation for God's gracious plans to establish his lineage, 2 Samuel 7:19.
      3. David then praised God for His grace to him and to Israel for all He had done for them, 7:20-24.
      4. He then asked God to fulfill His gracious promises to him that God would be glorified, 7:25-26.
      5. In closing, David, as God's SUBJECT, told God he had found the courage to offer this prayer (as God's subject) for God to fulfill His promises to Him because God's Word had promised him greatness, 7:27. Thus, recognizing God as his Sovereign, David asked God to fulfill His Word, 8:28!
Lesson: Though David's INTENTIONS to build God a temple were HUMANLY good, he needed to be CORRECTED into FOLLOWING God's plans, for GOD was STILL SOVEREIGN over DAVID though he was Israel's KING, and HE had plans to glorify His GRACE in David and his offspring!

Application: When God elevates a believer to leadership, that believer is STILL SUBJECT to GOD in how he even PLANS and ACTS in that LEADERSHIP ROLE! Thus, we must ALWAYS see OURSELVES as God's SUBJECTS that HE alone be GLORIFIED for His UNMERITED favor to us.