When God Says "No!”
Reading: 2 Samuel chapter 7:
Ill:
• All of us are familiar with the ‘Taj Mahal’ in India.
• It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
• But not everyone knows the story behind it.
• In 1631, a great emperor named Shah Jahan;
• Built this beautiful structure
• In memory of his wife of 19 years who died while bearing their 14th child.
• When she died,
• Shah Jahan left his wife’s deathbed and went straight to his palace quarters,
• And he locked the doors behind him.
• For 3 days he remained locked in is room, taking no food or drink.
• When he reappeared 9 days later,
• His raven black hair had turned completely white.
• When he returned to his palace,
• The emperor began construction of his wife’s tomb;
• To build it would not be easy;
• It would take 22,000 men and women & 1,000 elephants;
• Working around the clock, 24 hours a day for 22 years to complete the project.
• Today the Taj Mahal contains the tomb of his wife;
• And is one of the Seven Wonders of the modern World
TRANSITION:
• It is NOT uncommon for someone;
• To create or build something beautiful for the one they love.
• That’s what David (a man after God’s own heart) wanted to do.
• He wanted to build a beautiful structure for his God.
• In the ancient world, when kings had no wars to fight;
• They often took on projects.
• David Israel’s greatest king was enjoying a period of rest
• Verse 1 tells us “the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him”
Things for David were as good as they might ever be:
• He was king over the entire nation
• He had established a new capital,
• He had a new close spiritual advisor, the prophet Nathan
• Verse 2: As he enjoys the luxury of living in a palace;
• He sends for Nathan the prophet and says:
• “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”
Ill:
• The ark of God has several names in the Old Testament;
• It is also known as the ark of the covenant,
• The ark of the LORD, and the ark of the testimony.
• The Ark of the Covenant was a kind of chest,
• Inside this chest were a number of sacred items such as;
• The stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, scrolls of the Law,
• Manna, and the rod of Aaron.
• The ark is a symbol of God’s permanent covenant(s) with the Jewish people;
• And a symbol of his presence among them.
• It was housed in the tabernacle.
• Which was a large super-tent/marquee type of structure.
• As David thinks of this special sacred chest sitting in a tent.
• He hazes around his palace and thinks - that does not make sense!
• And so we pick up the story with David wanting to do something about it!
As I have studies the passage this week:
• The thing that has stood out to me is David’s heart;
• And in this passage we will see three characteristics of that heart:
(1). A zealous heart (vs 1-2).
“After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
Ill:
• When he Pastored the Methodist church in Scarborough,
• The great preacher William Sangster had an eccentric member in his congregation.
• This man was a zealous Christian.
• But unfortunately, the man was also mentally deficient and usually did the wrong thing.
• While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave,
• Came at him with the poised razor, and asked,
• “Are you prepared to meet your God?”
• The frightened man fled out of the shop and down the road;
• With the shaving lather still on his face!
The heart of David was a zealous heart.
• Quote: Dictionary describes ‘zealous’ as "eagerness in the pursuit of something."
• The idea being to "pursue" something with strong feelings;
• Until that ‘something’ is found or completed.
The heart of David was a zealous heart.
• As David sat resting from his hard work;
• Sitting in his luxurious palace made out of the best cedar wood;
• We would say it was constructed out of the best materials that money could buy!
• He decided: ’I will use this time to find a way to glorify God’.
• He wanted to use his energy, finances and time for God!
• His heart was full of passion,
• His heart was full of gratitude to God.
• He is conscious that all he has is the result of God’s goodness to him.
• Notice that his wealth did not spoil his walk with God.
• Quote: The old saying is true; “It takes a steady hand to carry a full cup”.
• David wanted to honour the God who had blessed him;
• He figured that if he but build a temple to God;
• That would be a fitting project to use his energy, finances and time on;
• And it would also help focus the nation;
• Draw their attention too and give the people a place to worship the true God.
Ill:
• When William Sangster was minister of Westminster Central Hall;
• He was part of a group of men;
• Who interviewed applicants who wanted to join the Methodist ministry.
• A rather nervous young man presented himself before the group and began to speak;
• The young man said that he was rather shy;
• In fact not the sort of person who would ever set the Thames on fire,
• Never mind create a stir in the city.
• Sangster relied with insightful wit and wisdom:
• “I’m not interested to know if you can set the Thames on fire.
• What I want to know is this:
• If I picked you up by the scruff of the neck;
• And dropped you into the Thames, would it sizzle?”
Question:
• David was a passionate man of God – he sizzled!
• Christian – do you sizzle?
Ill:
• Banner at Old Trafford Football Ground, Manchester
• The banners read: ‘M.U.F.C. The Religion.’
• For many that statement may well be true;
• The guys I travel to a game with ‘sizzle’ are passionate about their team!
• Let me share with you some observations from these passionate people.
• (a). Football fans arrive early – keen not to miss anything;
• They seldom wander in a quarter or half way through a game.
• If their team is playing they want to be there i.e. Champions League of League Cup.
• (b). Football fans don’t care if the game goes on. i.e. runs overtime!
• ill: Some fans have coined an expression ‘Fergie time’
• (c). Football fans are vocal. They don’t just sit and spectate - they participate.
• Someone has said; “Whatever happened to Mr Amen and MRS Hallelujah!”
• ill: After the third resounding ‘Amen!’ with in a few minutes;
• The deacon asked the visitor if something were wrong.
• ‘Nothing,’ he replied; ‘I have the Holy Spirit.’
• ‘Well,’ the deacon countered, ‘you didn’t get Him here, so be quiet!’
• (d). Football fans can endure anything.
• Full stadiums be it 40 below, or when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on your car bonnet.
• ill: I tell you as travelling preacher who often drives several hours to get to a Church;
• And the locals can’t even go the 5-10 minutes around the corner.
• (e). Football fans want the best seat in the house.
• ill: The closer to the action, the better.
• They moan when they are stuck at the back unable to get a good viewing!
• ill: Outside every ground you will find ticket touts swapping tickets for better seats.
• (f). Football fans can’t get enough of a game.
• ill: They’ll see it in person, ill: watch the highlights on T.V.,
• ill: They then read about it in the newspaper.
• ill: And they can’t wait to get to work to talk about it again.
• (g). Football fans know trivia statistics about hundreds of ball players.
• ill: Friday night kids & their ‘Match Attack’ cards.
• How sad when some of God’s most loyal onlookers;
• Can’t even name three of the twelve disciples or the books of the New Testament.
Punch line:
• The heart of David was a zealous heart, a passionate heart – ‘he sizzled’.
• Question: How is your heart this morning?
• Question: Am I a genuine fan or just a couch potato Christian?
(2). A submissive heart (vs 3-17).
“Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.”
4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:
5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7
Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
Verse 12:
“‘The LORD declares…12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name…”
Question: What is the definition of submission?
Answer:
• It is yielding to another’s desires without resistance.
• Submission to another’s wishes is an attitude of the heart done willingly,
• It is the opposite of surrender;
• Which is yielding by being forced to do so.
Ill:
• The captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message;
• “Tell them to alter their course 10 degrees south.”
• Promptly a return message was received: “NO! You alter your course 10 degrees north.”
• The captain was angered; his command had been ignored.
• So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am the captain!”
• Soon another message was received:
• “Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am seaman third class Jones.”
• Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke:
• “Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am a battleship.”
• Then the reply came
• “Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am a lighthouse.”
Notice: The submissive heart of David in this passage:
• Nathan the prophet of God was meant to guide David in the right direction,
• But here he gives him the wrong advice.
• Nathan assumes that because it is a good desire that it must be of God;
• But neither of them enquire of God at this point in the narrative.
• And when Nathan does eventually have a time of prayer;
• The Lord speaks to him and tells him his advice to David was wrong!
• And so Nathan has to ‘eat humble pie’;
• And he has to courageously go to the king;
• And pass on to him the message that God had entrusted to him.
So Nathan returns to King David and tells him two important things;
• In fact God asks Nathan to ask David two questions.
• First in verse 5: ’David, are you the one to build that house?’
• Secondly in verse 7:
• ‘Have I never asked another leader in Israel to build me a house?’
• In other words:
• God was saying to David two things: ’Not you!’ and ’Not now!’.
• Nathan had to tell King David;
• “It’s not going to be him, and it’s not going to be according to his timescale’.
Note:
• For David with a heart that is full of zeal,
• Full of enthusiasm, full of a desire for the glory of God to be seen by others:
• ’Not you and not now!’ was not the message he was waiting to hear.
• Knowing David he has probably already gone out and ordered the stone!
Ill:
• Nobody likes to hear the words ‘Not you’.
• X Factor – but when someone is evicted the tears flow!
• Whether genuine or crocodile tears, the point is no-one likes to hear the words ‘Not you!’
Notice David’s submission in this passage:
• He humbly accepted the will of God for him:
• No moaning, no sulking, no temper tantrum, no going off in a huff!
• David humbly submits to God’s superior insight and knowledge!
• He might not understand God’s ways and methods;
• But he had learnt to trust him.
Notice what God told David in verse 8:
“I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you”
• God reminded David that he was a nobody;
• Just another shepherd looking after a bunch of sheep in the middle of nowhere!
• Yet God made him a somebody!
• God made him ruler of the nation – God made him a king.
• God was the one who made him mighty and victorious in battle!
• In other words God was reminding David of his track record;;
• He is saying; “Look what I have done for you!”
• Instead of getting a raw deal you have been blessed and blessed and blessed!
Pause:
• I wonder if this situation is parallel in your life today?
• You have asked God for something and he has said; “No!”
• Like David you might be have a zealous heart & a desire to please him;
• And yet still he says; “No!” to your request!
• Learn from David this morning; don’t be bitter & downcast;
• Learn from David and keep on trusting!
• Remember God knows best!
Like David remember what God has done for you in the past!
• Remember before you met the Lord you were a nobody;
• ill: Pilgrim’s progress – remember pilgrim’s original name?
• It was ‘graceless!’
• Yet God made you a somebody!
• A child of the king!
• Like David God has never left you or forsaken you!
• He has given you his Holy Spirit that you might live in victory and not defeat!
• Like David God has given you a certain hope for the future;
• Quote Psalm 23: “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
So if you have asked God for something and he has said; “No!”
• Remember “His track record – look what he has done for you!”
• You have been blessed abundantly!
• So keep on trusting!
Note:
• Listen at this point in time - David didn’t know why God said ’No’;
• But several years later God would explain the reason why to David;
• ’You were a soldier, one who fought for Me David,
• But your son Solomon will build for Me.
• As a soldier you have blood on your hands;
• And because this temple is to be a place of peace and rest,
• Solomon who will enjoy a reign of peace and rest will be the one to build it for me!’
David’s response to this disappointing news was one of submission:
• ill: Bobby Richardson, was a baseball player for the New York Yankees;
• He got converted on one occasion he offered a prayer that is a classic in brevity & poignancy:
• “Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.”
Notice:
• David’s disappointment was His appointment.
• David’s disappointment was God’s great appointment.
• David wanted to build a human temple for God,
• And God said in reply: “You’re not going to build Me a house, I’m going to build you a house!”
• God promised David three things in verse 16:
• An eternal house, an eternal throne, and an eternal kingdom.
• Theologians call this ‘The Davidic Covenant’.
• Notice that David would have been satisfied with the temporary (an earthly temple)
• Instead God gave him the eternal!
Ill:
• Arlo has already decided what he wants for his birthday party;
• It is to take some of his friends to see the Prince Caspian,
• The latest C.S. Lewis book that has been turned into a movie.
• There is a great quote in the last of the Narnia chronicles (The Last Battle),
• The book concludes with these words:
“All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and title page; now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: …which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
• David would have been satisfied with the temporary;
• Instead God said ‘no!’ And God promised him the eternal!
(3). A thankful heart (vs 18-29).
• First: in verses 18-21 David focused on the present;
• He gave thanks to God for his mercies he has bestowed on him.
• Notice the expression; “You have brought me this far”
• From sheepfold to the throne just as he had promised when David was a boy.
• The point - be thankful because God keeps his promises!
• His ways may not be our ways – but never forget he will always keep his word!
• Secondly: in verses 22-24: David focuses on the past:
• He thanks God for the fact he choose Israel as his special people.
• He revealed himself to them; He redeemed them;
• Taking them out of slavery and into freedom, into a land of milk and honey!
• The point - be thankful because God reveals and redeems!
• Question: Isn’t that the message of Christianity?
• Answer: Of course it is!
• In the person of Jesus Christ God has revealed himself (made himself known.
• And through the death of Jesus Christ he has redeemed us!
• Thirdly: in verses 25-29: David focuses on the future.
• David praises God for the promised he made in verse 16:
• Three things - an eternal house, an eternal throne, and an eternal kingdom.
• Here David says; “You promised it and I believe it!”
• The point - be accepting of God’s will!
• “Thy will be done!” is the thrust of verse 28.
• ill: Prayer: “Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.”
Ill:
In 1902, Adelaide A. Pollard,
• Was hoping to go to Africa as a missionary;
• But despite her best efforts she was unable to raise the funds needed to make the journey.
• Greatly discouraged, she attended a prayer meeting;
• As she sat there, she overheard an elderly woman say
• "It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord,
• Just have your own way with our lives."
• Those words burned into the heart and mind of Adelaide Pollard;
• And as she pondered those words;
• "It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord,
• Just have your own way with our lives."
• Into her mind came the story of the potter from Jeremiah chapter 18 verse 3;
• Later that evening as she returned home;
• Before she went to bed that night;
• Adelaide Pollard wrote all four stanzas of a poem;
• Five years later George Stebbins wrote a tune titled "Adelaide";
• To accompany the poem of Adelaide Pollard.
• Question: What was the poem?
• Answer: ‘Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!’
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
