What is your dream house? When I was small, i so enjoyed going through the houses in Forbes Park whenever we visited my my 4th uncle, my dad’s elder brother. Houses with nice doors/windows/gardens etc. Looking at houses inside and out has always been a fun thing for me to do. It didn’t matter that we didn’t live in a big house. In fact at one point in our life, we had a tiny apartment and I was secure and happy in that place we called home.
In the Old Testament, King David started as a shepherd boy who went on to conquer Goliath. For most of his life, he was a soldier – even when he became king, he often had to fight his enemies. Then came a time of peace when he got to live in his palace.
After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” 2 Sam 7:1-2
Cedar is a good popular tree growing in Lebanon – quite sturdy for building houses coz it does not decay or subject to worms. (ref. http://biblehub.com/topical/c/cedar.htm)
What touched me is that David remembered God when he was nicely and securely living at rest in his beautiful palace. He remembered that the ark of God (the symbol of God’s presence with Israel) was still in the tabernacle. So David wanted to build a house for God. He really loved God.
So what did God say? God said: I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. (v.6) In all the years that I moved with you, have I ever asked your leaders to build me a house?
God instead reminded David of all the things He had done in the past and the things he will do for David. vv.8-10 Most important of which is: God will for David a house that will last. God said He will establish David’s house by giving him a descendant to rule as king forever. v.13,16. It is not that God rejected David’s offer. God wanted David’s son to build His house.
The house that David offered and that Solomon built was magnificent but it was eventually destroyed. The house that God gave to David is one that endures forever. From the house of David came Mary – whom God appointed to bear His Son, Jesus. Jesus is king forevermore.
Today, we live in houses that decay and depreciate. Our houses get worn down, by pests, by the weather elements, cabinet doors get unhinged, even cornice in our bathroom ceiling fell off, floor tiles cracking and popping up, termites destroyed our door posts and floor boards, etc. All sorts of problems come with our earthly houses.
Only the one who dwells with God has an eternal home. As Moses wisely prayed: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1
Where is your dwelling place, my friend? On what do you put your security in this world? God is waiting for you to come home – to know him and find true security in him. Make him your eternal home.
