“In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, `Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?’ ”                                  – 1 Chronicles 17 : 6 (NASB)

During the past year we decided to make a deliberate attempt to strengthen our relationship with a sister congregation a few miles down the I-25 corridor.  We’ve spent time together in fellowship, participated in a deacon’s seminar together, and spent time in devotion to the Lord.  Last week, our congregation was invited to join our sister congregation for a 4^th of July fellowship and celebration.  While attending the celebration I spent some time talking with one of their shepherds and a deacon.  The shepherd wondered what God has in store for our two congregations that are growing closer together.  We conversed about that thought for a while and then he said we should be quiet and listen for God to answer the question.  I thought the shepherd’s question and comment wise, powerful, and insightful (as wells as worth “borrowing” and including in my devotional that night!).

Since God no longer holds conversations with those of us who are His children we will have to be discerning to identify what God wants our congregations to achieve for His purpose.  I have come to see over the years how many times the discernment is not realized until after the fact.  However, this has not always been the case.

In 1 Chronicles 17 (and 2 Samuel 7) we have a record of one of many instances where God communicates directly to man.  King David is early in his rule.  God has been with him as he slew Goliath, was victorious in battle, survived Saul’s pursuit, was crowned king and is “dwelling in a house of cedar”.  David is enjoying God’s blessings and wants to honor God by building a house for the Ark of the Covenant, presumably of cedar (vs. 6).  Nathan tells David to do what is in his heart because God is with him.  At this point God issues what I will call a course correction.

God sends a message through the prophet Nathan to David.  God does not want David to build Him a house of any kind.  God goes on to say He has had ample time for any of the previous leaders to build Him a house if only He had commanded it be done, which He didn’t.  God’s response has nothing to do with His love for David.  In fact, God goes on to proclaim a blessing to David’s descendants reiterating the same blessing given to Abraham in Genesis 12 and for that matter to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.  However, the Lord, the ultimate shepherd, is using the opportunity to teach David (and us) some valuable lessons.

First, notice there is no record of either Nathan or David asking God if He wanted a house.  Granted, both of them realize God has been with David since he was anointed approximately 15 years earlier while Jesse and David’s siblings watched.  Nathan, like Samuel before him, has either seen or heard all that God has done for David and David has experienced it.  However, God is reminding both of them they might want to check with Him before proceeding with any plans.  While we don’t have a local prophet to consult and since God doesn’t reveal His will the same way he did to David, we do have the avenue of studying God’s word and prayer, both of which are highly recommended before any new undertaking for the congregation.

Second, I believe David was making an honest mistake by wanting to honor God with a cedar house.  After all, during David’s time the cedar was considered luxurious.  They were the first of trees (1 Kings 4:33), the “glory of Lebanon” (Isaiah 35:2; 60:13), strong, (Psalms 29:4-5), tall (Amos 2:9; 2 Kings 19:23), majestic (2 Kings 14:9), excellent (Song of Solomon 5:15), and considered God’s trees (Psalms 104:16).[1]  David’s mistake is not in wanting to honor God.  His mistake is in how he planned to do so.  If David built a house of cedar for God it would in effect place God at David’s level of earthly king instead of exalting God as magnificent Lord, Creator, and Maker.  While I don’t think it happens often, we leaders must always be wary of knowingly or unknowingly trying to bring God down to our level.  Rather, we should be asking ourselves how we can lead our flock to exalt the Most High God in everything we do.

Third, God makes it clear to David that He does not dwell in a house.  Even when Solomon built the Temple, God did not dwell there.  Instead, it was an established place where God met the High Priest, just as He did in the Tabernacle before and just as He does when we gather in a building now to worship Him.  God was not about to let David think he could confine the Lord to a building and thankfully for us God is not confined to our buildings today.  That is not to say buildings and the associated grounds are not important.  They are as important today as the Tabernacle and Temple of old.  Buildings and grounds are often the first thing potential visitors see.  The impression they give will let that visitor know how much the members appreciate the blessings of having a building and grounds.  We feel our building and grounds are a blessing that God has entrusted us with, so much so that we even had a special offering (something we usually avoid) to make some improvements.

However, we understand that, just as God explains to David in our passage, the building is not to be the focal point of our faith, but rather one of many tools (albeit expensive!) for us to demonstrate our faith.  The building provides us a location to assemble for worship, to host life events such as showers, weddings, and memorial services, and to gather in preparation for community events as well.  I played sports in high school, and I liken the building to the locker room.   It is where we go to strengthen bonds and encourage one another, tend to our wounds, and refuel for the “game”, which is going out into the world and fulfilling God’s purpose for each and everyone one of us.  Let’s face it, real shepherding is done where the people are, not where the building is.  Sometimes the two are the same, but not always.  So let us always be careful to remember the building is a tool, the locker room, a place with an address, but it is not the church and while God is there when we worship, He doesn’t just hang out there waiting for the next Sunday to roll around.

Fourth, God is more than our best laid plans.  Look at not just what God is saying but what He is doing in verses 9 – 14.  In effect God is telling David thanks for the house of cedar idea, I don’t need it, but let me tell you what I am going to do for you.  God then reaffirms His plan first given to Eve in Genesis 3 and then to Abraham in Genesis 12 by telling David that his house (i.e. descendant) will establish a kingdom that lasts forever!  By doing this God reveals just how powerful He is to David and casting a vision far beyond what David could comprehend.  The lesson for us is God is bigger than us, bigger than any building, and will reveal how we fit in His plans if we only seek to honor and glorify Him by doing His will.  Then he will bless us beyond any measure by which we can honor Him, just as he does today with a place in His kingdom, the promise of eternal life, and the promise our “seed” will continue as future generations of the church.

May your blessings exceed mine today and all your days. – DEM