“ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth…11b Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
- 2 Samuel 7:8-16
If you were king for a day, what would do?
What new laws would you make? Which laws would you abolish? What would you eat, drink, and wear? Who would you invite to the palace? How would you help others through generosity?
David was one of the greatest kings the world had ever known. He was a warrior king, but at the end of the day when there were no battles left to fight. David’s mind turned toward what he could gave rather than what he could get. As David sat in his posh palace, thoughts about the Tent Of Meeting, where the Ark of the Covenant and the Lord’s presence dwelled, filled his mind.
David wanted to build the Lord a permanent home so the Ark of the Covenant would have a resting place worthy of the presence of God. As David sought to bless the Lord with a house, God chose instead to bless David’s house with an eternal blessing. It is so true you can never out-give God! God promised David’s son would build a temple, but an even greater promise was given.
One of David’s descendants would reign over God’s people from an eternal throne. God would punish him for sins committed, but He would never withdraw His love from him, treating this ruler as a son. As we celebrate Jesus’ coming to earth for us, we remember He fulfilled this promise. Jesus was perfect, yet He owned our sins so He could be punished in our place. As you hang your ornament, remember Jesus is our generous King. He came to give us forgiveness so we could join Him in heaven as He rules forever!