Good Intentions
Read: 2 Samuel 7:1-18
A planner by nature and a fixer at heart, it’s important to me that things run smoothly. By planning things ahead of time, I’m able to look for problems and try to avoid them if possible. If something should arise and derail my plans, the fixer within takes over and does its best to make everything right. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to though, and some things aren’t meant to be fixed. God orchestrates each detail according to His purpose.
In 2 Samuel, we see that David liked to take matters into his own hands sometimes. He was a planner and a fixer too. Preferring things a certain way, he often took steps to make it happen. In Chapter 7, David saw the Ark of the Covenant sitting out in the weather with only a simple tent shielding it from the rain and sun. He looked around at his beautiful mansion and decided the Ark needed a better home, but that’s not what God wanted.
David’s intentions were good; he desired to show honor and respect to the Lord. But God wanted David to worry about David. God had big plans for him. He brought David from the pasture to the throne, and God made a covenant that the Messiah would come through David’s house. God simply wanted David to obey His commands and leave the rest to Him.
Journal: Share a time in your life that you tried to honor God by doing something other than what He asked you to do? Do you think He would rather you obey Him?
It’s ok to want to do grand things for God, bringing honor and glory to His name. David’s heart was certainly in the right place. We often have great ideas in the name of ministry, but they may not always be in God’s plan. Before rushing ahead with our Bibles in tow, it’s important that we first take it to Jesus.
He may say “yes,” and He may say “no.” It depends on His master plan. But regardless of His answer, we can put our trust in Him and know that it will be good.
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. —Hebrews 10:36 NLT
Journal: What is something you are struggling with right now? Is there something you would like to do for God but you’re not sure if He wants you to do it?
Activation/Prayer: Take this (journal entry) to God in prayer and ask Him if this is something you should do for Him. Ask Him to give you complete peace if His answer is “yes.” If He answers “no,” trust the Planner, not the plan, and wait on Him to reveal the next step to you.
A planner by nature and a fixer at heart, it’s important to me that things run smoothly. By planning things ahead of time, I’m able to look for problems and try to avoid them if possible. If something should arise and derail my plans, the fixer within takes over and does its best to make everything right. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to though, and some things aren’t meant to be fixed. God orchestrates each detail according to His purpose.
In 2 Samuel, we see that David liked to take matters into his own hands sometimes. He was a planner and a fixer too. Preferring things a certain way, he often took steps to make it happen. In Chapter 7, David saw the Ark of the Covenant sitting out in the weather with only a simple tent shielding it from the rain and sun. He looked around at his beautiful mansion and decided the Ark needed a better home, but that’s not what God wanted.
David’s intentions were good; he desired to show honor and respect to the Lord. But God wanted David to worry about David. God had big plans for him. He brought David from the pasture to the throne, and God made a covenant that the Messiah would come through David’s house. God simply wanted David to obey His commands and leave the rest to Him.
Journal: Share a time in your life that you tried to honor God by doing something other than what He asked you to do? Do you think He would rather you obey Him?
It’s ok to want to do grand things for God, bringing honor and glory to His name. David’s heart was certainly in the right place. We often have great ideas in the name of ministry, but they may not always be in God’s plan. Before rushing ahead with our Bibles in tow, it’s important that we first take it to Jesus.
He may say “yes,” and He may say “no.” It depends on His master plan. But regardless of His answer, we can put our trust in Him and know that it will be good.
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. —Hebrews 10:36 NLT
Journal: What is something you are struggling with right now? Is there something you would like to do for God but you’re not sure if He wants you to do it?
Activation/Prayer: Take this (journal entry) to God in prayer and ask Him if this is something you should do for Him. Ask Him to give you complete peace if His answer is “yes.” If He answers “no,” trust the Planner, not the plan, and wait on Him to reveal the next step to you.
1 Comment
This is a timely reminder for me, I've been known to rush ahead. Hebrews 10:36!!!