Key Scripture:

“A time to seek, and a time to lose;” Ecclesiastes 3:6a

Devotional:

After fighting many battles and a life of serving God by building Israel into the nation God desired, one of the biggest dreams that King David had was to build a temple to house the ark of the covenant. I’m sure he felt it would be the crowning achievement of his service to the Lord, and he even created the plans in order to make this building happen.

However, the Lord told him no. First Chronicles 28:2-3 tells the story:

“Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’”

Have you ever heard a “no” from The Lord? Maybe you dreamed of being heavily influential in your career path, but you find yourself having to stay faithful in the behind-the-scenes work of your job. Maybe you always wanted to travel, but instead you find yourself meeting needs at home. Maybe you hoped you would be married sooner, but your godly spouse still hasn’t shown up. It’s true that many “nos” from God are more like “not yets,” but He’s the only one who really knows. David sought, dreamed and planned for building the house of the Lord, but had to change plans and “cut his losses” when God told him something different.

There is hope through all of this. God did want the temple to be built, and He didn’t end with the “no” without explanation for David. He continues in verse 6:

“He said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.’”

Are there dreams, goals or ideas in your life in which you’ve heard a “no” from God? Let me ask you – are you willing to accept that God may have a different plan than you imagined? It’s hard to let go of your control over your future but let me remind you – you never have control. None of us are promised tomorrow, and other than our relationship with the Lord, none of us know for sure what our future here on earth looks like. Of one thing you can be sure: you can trust God with it all.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
     and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
     and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Deepening questions:

• Is there a “no” that you have heard from the Lord to a prayer you have prayed?
• Do you genuinely trust that God knows what is best for you?