I Chronicles 17:10b “’ Moreover, I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you.’”

MY HOUSE

I had never really noticed this part of the story. David has just brought the Ark of the Covenant from the home of Obed-edom to Jerusalem and placed it in the place he had set up for it. Then he tells Nathan, the prophet (the same Nathan who had confronted him about Bathsheba), that he wants to build the Lord a house. Nathan says, “Sounds good, go ahead.” But then the Lord gives Nathan a message to tell David that he should not build it, but that his son would build it. Got the picture? But then God says in the verse above that He is going to build a house for David. What? I thought David already had a house. No, God is saying to David, “I am going to establish your household forever.”

Have you ever wanted to do something for someone, but before you got around to it they did something for you instead? How would that make you feel? Humbled? Embarrassed? Guilty? We see David’s humble response later in this passage. He was humbled. He didn’t feel he deserved any of that.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be more like David here. I want to recognize that I don’t deserve the blessings of my God. I should be doing more to honor Him, but instead He continually honors me. That is humbling!

TEACHING MOMENT

Humility is hard to teach our children. It is really a trait that is caught rather than taught. Parents, once again you have to model humility. When your children see you respond to life with humility they learn from that. Sometimes humility comes easy. Other times we have to just die to ourselves and let Jesus be Jesus in us. We have to give up our rights and what we THINK we deserve and humble ourselves. Let your children see that.

I had much rather have a humble child than a proud one. Why? Because I know the Lord says he will exalt the humble and humble the exalted. Let humility reign in your life today.