When God says “No” 2 Samuel 7 November 15, 2009

1. When God says “No” 2 Samuel 7 November 15, 2009

2. “The greatness of Napoleon, Caesar or Washington is only moonlight by the sun of Lincoln. His example is universal and will last thousands of years… He was bigger than his country— bigger than all the Presidents together…and as a great character he will live as long as the world lives.” --Leo Tolstoy • Lost in his run for the State • legislature • Lost twice trying to get elected to • the U.S. House • Lost in his run for the • vice-presidential nomination • Lost twice in elections • for the U.S. Senate • Finally elected president in 1860

3. What do we do when God says “No” to us?

4. 2 Samuel 7 I. David’s Plan (vv.1-3) 1Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,

5. 2that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” “ He thought he would be doing wrong if, while he himself dwelt in a stately house built of cedar and having beautiful furnishings as well, he permitted the ark to lie neglected in a tent.” --Josephus

6. 3Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you.”

7. 2 Samuel 7 I. David’s Plan (vv.1-3) II. God Says “No” (vv. 4-7) 4But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan…

8. 5"Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?”

9. 6"For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.

10. 7"Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel,

11. saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'“’

12. Why did God say “No” to David? • It wasn’t necessary. • The Lord had someone else • in mind for the building.

13. G. Campbell Morgan • Message to his father: “Rejected” • “Very dark everything seems. • Still, He knoweth best”. • Message from his father: • “Rejected on earth… • Accepted in Heaven. Dad”

14. 2 Samuel 7 I. David’s Plan (vv.1-3) II. God Says “No” (vv. 4-7) • God’s Plan and Promises for David • (vv. 8-17)

15. God says (in verses 8-9)… • “I took you from the pasture… • to be the shepherd over My people Israel.” • “I have been with you • wherever you have gone.” • “I have cut off all your enemies • from before you.” • “And I will make you a great name.”

16. The LORD will make a house for you. 12"When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

17. 13“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

18. 16"Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."'" 17In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

19. Why else did God say “No” to David? • 1 Kings 5:3 “You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him.” • 1 Chronicles 22:8; 28:3 --“because you have shed so much blood.” --“because you are a man of war and have shed blood.”

20. 2 Samuel 7 I. David’s Plan (vv.1-3) II. God Says “No” (vv. 4-7) • God’s Plan and Promises for David • (vv. 8-17) IV. David’s Response (vv. 18-29)

21. 2 Samuel 7 • David’s Response (vv. 18-29) A. Prayer & Praise B. Preparation

22. 2 Samuel 7 • David’s Response (vv. 18-29) B. Preparation “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it.” –1 Chron. 22:5 “I had intended to build a permanent home For the ark of the covenant of the Lord… so I made preparations to build it.” --1 Chron. 28:2

23. How do we respond to the divine “no”? 1. We trust God for He knows what is best. 2. We praise God because He not only blesses the things we do but also the things we would like to do. • We thank God because if he says “no” • to our plan, how amazing will • His plan be for us.

24. Some Parenting Application: • David empowered • and encouraged his son. • David sees to it that his son • is put in a position to succeed.

25. I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

26. 18Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

27. DAN JANSEN

28. “It was enough to wrap up the divine ‘No’ in a promise of infinite blessing; but as the years passed, the reason for God’s refusal grew clear and distinct before David.” --F.B. Meyer

29. “Disappointments are His appointments.” --A.T. Pierson

30. 18Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD,

31. One by one He took them from me, All the things I valued most, Until I was empty-handed; Every glittering toy was lost. And I walked earth’s highways, grieving, In my rags and poverty. Till I heard his voice inviting, “Lift those empty hands to Me!"

32. So I held my hands toward Heaven, And He filled them with a store Of His own transcendent riches Till they could contain no more. And at last I comprehended With my stupid mind and dull, That God could not pour His riches Into hands already full! --Martha Nicholson