There is so much in this text that can teach us but the one thing that is shouting out at me is Nathan’s 180 degree turn of advice. Why?
When David first had the brainwave to erect an appropriate dwelling for the God of Heaven’s armies, he summoned a trusted prophet – Nathan. Surely with Nathan’s approval, this must be something David should pursue.
Read More plans, God’s will
We like making plans. We have expectations for the future. We have been created with this extraordinary capacity to think about the future. We plan our professional and our family lives. We make plans for travel, for holidays. Perhaps we also plan concrete ways in which to serve the Lord. That’s desirable.
If we’re seeking to live according to his wisdom (see v 20), we can be encouraged to expect that our plans will accomplish God’s will.
Read More kindness, plans, God’s will
This passage preserves for us the account of the beginning of the great missionary movement that has continued to our day. It is a watershed moment in the book of Acts. Within a matter of years, Paul was able to say, “The good news is spreading all over the world with great success” (Colossians 1:6).
Read More prayer, discipline, God’s will, participants
How do I know his will for my life? Romans 12 tells us how to become better listeners to God who has a perfect will for us. Paul, the writer of Romans “begs” his readers to “offer” our bodies as living sacrifices to God. Paul writes that this is our most reasonable response in light of God’s goodness or mercy.
What is God’s mercy?
Read More change, sacrifice, God’s will, morphAs Paul journeys to Jerusalem there seems to be a discrepancy about the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul declares that he is being led by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. But the believers along the way strongly warn Paul by the Holy Spirit that he will face many dangers. They try to dissuade him from going.
Read More fear, Holy Spirit, God’s will, feelings, conflicting advice