“This is what the Lord says : Are you the one to build Me a house to dwell in? ………. The Lord declares that the Lord himself will establish a house for you”
2 Sam 7:5 & 11b
In the story of David wanting to build a house for God we can see ourselves with a desire to give to God. We want to serve God and that is a good response to all He has done for us, but God often turns our offerings into a blessing for us. David wanted to build a house for God, but God build a “house” for David, a family line which would rule Israel. The greatest fulfilment was that Jesus was a descendant of David and He will rule forever. David was overwhelmed by God’s promise and he was still involved in planning the temple that his son Solomon would build.
When Jesus chose His disciples they expected to serve their teacher by providing for His physical needs while He taught them, but Jesus often turned this around. He provided food for them and kept them safe in stormy conditions at sea where the fishermen among them should have been experts. He even told them where to fish. He turned their thinking upside down when He said He had come to serve (Matt 20:25-28). He served them by washing their feet which was considered the lowliest task. We think of this as merely teaching to show us how to serve and we try to copy the example, but it is more than that. It shows us the heart of God. Jesus continued to serve and even cooked breakfast for them after the resurrection. He is still serving now by interceding for us at the right hand of the Father (Rom 8:34)
When we read through the gospels we can see that Jesus met more than just people’s physical needs, although He did this extravagantly when He provided more than enough food from a few loaves and fish. He also provided non essentials when He turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. We should not restrict God in our thinking to providing barely enough basic essentials. I once told God I had always wanted to learn the piano but it wasn’t an essential so I didn’t expect Him to provide one, but it would be nice. He provided an old piano and must have known that I wouldn’t manage to learn much, I couldn’t get beyond grade 1. My husband had a similar experience when he told God he always wanted to play the saxaphone. Someone he met offered to lend him one a while and it was a fun experience.
Jesus also reached out to despised and rejected people and the “unclean”. He touched a leper when a word would have healed him (Matt8:3). He was was not content to allow the woman who touched his robe to merely receive physical healing, but stopped to talk to her. After years of being “unclean” and only getting help when she paid doctors large sums of money, Jesus gave her individual attention and acknowledged her faith (Mark 5:30) His words brought healing and restoration to her heart and gave her a testimony to share. She came in faith expecting her miracle but got so much more.
Jesus also gave more to the paralysed man whose friends brought him for healing. Jesus first forgave his sins, raising him to a much higher place than he had expected. We may come with a little faith but Jesus rewards it generously with more than we ask for.
When people brought children to Jesus to be touched by Him, the disciples tried to send them away. They thought it was their job to protect Jesus from being bothered by unimportant things. Jesus took the children in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them. This was so much more than a cuddle or a pat on the head. We expect people to admire our children or politicians to kiss babies as part of their image building, but they actually give nothing but empty words. Jesus by laying hands on the children was imparting power into their lives. He spoke a blessing which would continue to work in these children until it was fulfilled. When we dedicate our children to God He responds by beginning a work in their lives. We may have plans for them, but God’s plans are so much better.
When my children were young the preacher was asking youngsters bible questions during the service and rewarding them with money. When he came to my boys he had no change left and was concerned not to disappoint them. After trying to borrow some coins he pulled out a ten pound note and gave it to them to share. They never had so much money and were thrilled. What he did next impressed them more. He laid hands on them and prophesied for their future and they still hold on to those words 20 years later. They were amazed that the important guest speaker stopped to give attention to two small boys, not in a patronising way but treating them as spiritual people. He was demonstrating God’s heart for children.
When Jesus met the woman at the well (John 4) He asked for a drink. He asked her to serve Him, but His intention was to serve her. He offered living water and she was eager to receive. She then had something to give to others and she went to tell everyone. Jesus told his disciples when they returned with food that His food was to do God’s will. By giving to her, He received from God. We must be prepared to receive when we come to serve, unlike Martha who was so busy trying to serve Jesus she missed what Mary was eager to receive (Luke 110:38-42). Martha gave food to Jesus but Mary allowed Jesus to serve her, receiving His food from the Father.
When we dedicate our lives to serving God He responds by serving us, by pouring love into us and causes life to spring up. Then we too will have something to give. We must reach beyond our natural thinking and allow God to show us how to serve, not in a painful way, striving to please and earn His favour, although we should expect our reward from Him and not from people. We should be so filled with food from Him that we overflow to others generously and abundantly as Jesus did. Serving should not be a chore or a drudge but an overflow of our love for God. Jesus came because “God so loved the world” and love is the only basis for us to serve Him.
We may want to build for God and that is good, but first we must be built on the rock, then built together with other believers into God’s house. We build by being built, we give what we have received, we serve by first being served and this way we stay humble and grateful. Like David we say
“Who am I that You have done this for me? You are awesome and Your words are trustworthy. Do the things the have promised me and bless the house of Your servant”
(based on 2 Sam 7:18-29)
