This passage calls for us to reflect on our attitude toward our possessions and our riches. Whether we are rich or poor, we all have challenges.

If you don’t have enough, you depend on others to survive (whether by means of a social system or by friends and relatives). This takes humility. It’s not easy to ask for assistance. What’s more, it’s sometimes a challenge to remain honest, especially when there are pressing needs.

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.

What is God up to? Why does he do what he does? What is his purpose?

David knew. God’s desire and the purpose of his divinely orchestrated action was to be glorified. That’s a nice word – glorified – but what does it mean?

Someone once gave me an illustration that helped me appreciate and better understand the concept of “glorifying God.”

Many of the narratives from David’s life humble me. What can I do to be more like this person who often displayed a heart that was totally committed to God and to living in a way that brought honour to his Lord.

In this text we see David making much ado about something many of us might miss. He was a busy person. He was the king of the nation. He was the commander of the army.

Somehow, in the last 2,000 years, the church lost its sense of urgency. Not many of us live like we have the pressing agenda outlined in today’s passage. Jesus’ words seem so strange. Maybe they belong in the past.

Yet, it’s a theme throughout the New Testament that time is short for spreading the gospel. It’s not just in this passage.

Life is full of unexpected danger and evil. If it’s not your personal experience, a quick skim of the week’s headlines will bear evidence. Ever notice the tendency to blame God?

We don’t know how long the 72 disciples were away, but when they returned they could hardly contain their excitement. Apparently, it had been a quite a journey. It had been successful – surpassing their wildest expectations – but, also fraught with danger.

I’ve been in a dry place, a desert of testing for some years now and I’ve often had pause to question God and wonder why, why, why must this continue and for what purpose? Then as I reflect back over this time and recall the journey, especially as I’ve reread my prayer journals, I see that through this I’ve been brought face to face with my sin; a true recognition of how dark my heart is and how deserving of punishment I am.