Grateful Heart

pink box with a gold ribbon — Photo by Ekaterina Shevchenko on Unsplash

5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (2 Samuel 7:5-7)

King David noticed that while he was living in splendor and safety, the ark of God (the place of God's presence) resided in a tent. When David shared this apparent inequity with his advisor - the prophet, Nathan - he was given the green light to rectify the situation. Neither David nor Nathan consulted God. Did David hope to surprise God with his gift? Thankfully God knew David's intent was to honor God. So, while God initially spoke to Nathan in sarcastic bewilderment (verses 5-7, above), God went on to share the plans of blessing that God had in store for David and his lineage (verses 8-16).

David, thankful for a time of peace, security and permanence, assumed God would want the same things. Much like a well-meaning person might give an ill-advised gift to someone they don't know well, David's heart was in the right place. But, surely there were people in the community of Israelites who would have valued the alleviation of some hardship. Love God, love neighbor. It's so simple that we often forget that God has told us how we can best show our gratitude. God is always present, so we don't need to talk among ourselves like God isn't in the room. Seeking God's guidance in all things - including direction in channeling our gratitude - will enable us to honor God and extend the blessing beyond ourselves.

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and

it will be given to you. (James 1:4-5)