Listen Up
Posted on October 20, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
“For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.” — 2nd Samuel 7:21
It never ceases to amaze me when something happens and God’s fingerprints are all over it. He steps in and does an amazing thing like causing a loved one to come to Christ or dissolving a crisis, and there’s no doubt that God stepped in. Then, I’m amazed that I’m amazed. Why shouldn’t I expect to be seeing God at work, especially when He promises to be with us?
This past summer I was sharing a devotion with our guest on our theme verse 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The focus was on Rejoicing, Praying and giving Thanks, when it came to giving thanks I talked about being able to be thankful for what God is going to do as opposed to what God has already done, because they’re the same. In 2nd Samuel David is told through Nathan the Prophet all that God will do concerning David, even after he is gone.
The chapter starts off with a time of peace and David thinks, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” David plans to build God a house, but instead God reveals to David His plans.
But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?'” God goes on to tell David all He has done for him and all He will “continue” to do, “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.” This is not only a promise to David, but for us also. The fulfillment of this great prophesy is in the Person of Jesus the Christ.
David finishes the chapter with a prayer of praise that I believe would solidify David’s faith for the rest of his life, Then King David 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? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?”
It’s when we are convinced that God is who He says He is and all that He promises is true that we can respond to the challenges of life and all of our mistakes by falling on the grace and mercy of God. I believe that David was able to pen the 51st Psalm after being confronted by the same Prophet about his sin with Bathsheba because of his identity in God.
Maybe today life has gotten the best of you, maybe it’s time to “Listen up” to what God is saying about your future. Like,
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: Micah| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.” – J.I. Packer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence. Psalm 140:13
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
