God's Promise to David (and to You)

Read 2 Samuel 7 and 9,  1 Chronicles 18
 
2 Samuel 7:11b-17 “Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house – a temple – for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do…6 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.”
 
DAVID wants to be a good king for Israel and a good son to God. He has established his authority in Israel and among the surrounding nations. The 12 tribes are together in a closer union than they have been since Joshua died about 400 years before this. David has set his government, military and religious officials. What is next?
   David wanted to build a temple – a house – for God. David lived in a fine place of cedar, shouldn’t there be a much better house for God? After all, God’s earthly “home” is still between the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant. David wants a glorious home for God.
   But God is not concerned for this. His plan is to go forward through David’s descendants to establish his eternal House in heaven and earth. Responding to David, God prophecies what he will do with the next generation under Solomon. He is the one who will build a house – a temple – for God. The LORD even foretold that he would correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. Then comes much more.
   God then gives what is called the Davidic covenant. As the covenants with Adam and Abram, this covenant points to the eternal blessing of salvation in Jesus, the Son of God: “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” God has chosen David’s specific lineage to bring forth the Messiah to earth. And this Messiah will be the eternal King of kings. His throne is forever.
   Believing Jews have held onto the Davidic Covenant for 3,000 years. They are sure an earthly ruler will rise in Jerusalem at the Temple Mount to establish an eternal reign over the earth. That’s why Jesus’ disciples asked him as he prepared to return to heaven: Acts 1:6 “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”  Before this Word, the LORD said the ruler would come from Judah. Here the promise points specifically to David.
   Jesus came to move the promise forward through the cross. The Holy Spirit now extends the promise to gather all of God’s own into the King’s eternal kingdom. God has moved his Word, his plan and his purpose through the ages to come specifically to you. How do you respond to that?