Friday, August 11th
Devotional written by Pastor Curtis Johnson, Adult Ministries Pastor
PROMISE FULFILLED
To read today: Psalm 72
“He (Solomon) is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” “Your house (David’s) and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
2 Samuel 7:13, 16
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The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
My Study Bible states that David’s request (to build the temple) was good, but God said “no.” This does not mean that God rejected David. God was planning to do something even greater in David’s life than allowing him the prestige of building the temple. Although God turned down David’s request, He promised to continue the house (or dynasty) of David forever.
Solomon, David’s son, built the magnificent temple, and the land rested peacefully. Psalm 72, written by Solomon, looks beyond Solomon’s reign to that of Jesus the Messiah, whose kingdom extends “to the ends of the earth” and is greater than any human empire. This will be fulfilled when Christ returns to reign forever (Revelation 11:15). When we anticipate Jesus’ worldwide rule, it should fill our hearts with hope.
Final thought: Have you ever prayed with good intentions, only to have God say no? This is God’s way of directing you to a greater purpose in your life. Accepting God’s no requires just as great a faith as carrying out His yes.
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