God Adds the Extra to Our Ordinary
Darci J. Steiner, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
We read in God’s Word in 2 Samuel 7:1-5:
Now when the king (David) lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But that same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in?’”
Later in 2 Samuel, we read in vs 12-13:
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Building God a temple was a noble project; however, David had another God-commissioned job—fighting the Lord's battles until Israel was at rest in the promised land. David couldn't do it all! It seems God wanted David to stay focused on his God-given mission. His heart wasn't wrong, wanting to build a temple for God, but someone else would be chosen for that monumental task (his son Solomon). Even with good ideas, it is easy to get distracted from our current purpose. Nothing would get done with too much on David's plate, and battles would be lost due to distraction. David needed laser focus for his calling. We all do.
David's idea to build God a house would eventually be achieved by his son, Solomon. Because God used David as a warrior-king, his hands had shed much blood after battling enemy nations. Because of David's wartime victories in securing the nations surrounding Israel, when Solomon became King, he enjoyed a time of peace and rest. This was the time the Lord determined His Temple would be built. David's desire did come to fruition as God had promised him. When you are frustrated that your "good plans" aren't coming true, don't assume the Lord doesn't think they are good plans. He may simply be waiting for the right time. Wait with Him and trust that He determines the times and the places:
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Acts 17:26
Much later, King David commissioned Solomon to build the temple. From 1 Chronicles 22:6-10:
Then he (David) called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.
Have you considered how the enemy distracts you from accomplishing your purpose, goals, and dreams? Many times, it's because we take on too much, and when we can't juggle all the grocery sacks, they fall to the ground, crushed, and our dreams with them. Just yesterday, I said no to a podcast host who produces a fantastic podcast. I declined because it doesn't align with my current mission—to complete my book proposal and prepare for a speaking engagement. Sometimes, saying no, even to good things, is necessary so our primary goals don't get diluted. Seasons and tasks change, so agreeing to this podcast interview will likely be included in a different laser-focused goal down the road.
David wrote Psalm 18 after his war victories over foreign enemies (2 Samuel 8:1-14). We see how David, not dividing his attention between winning wars and building a temple for the Lord, was able to defeat the surrounding enemy nations! God kept him on track when tempted by distraction for another good thing. That "good thing" would happen, just not by David's hands or in his timing.
With David focused on his calling, God used him to defeat enemy nations whose land would go to the Israelite tribes. Was it hard? Of course! But God turned the dark times into light. Was it worth it? Absolutely! David learned that with God, he could advance against troop after troop and even scale their city walls (ramparts)!
God didn't remove the walls for David to overtake the cities protected by them. Instead, God taught David to work hard and give all he could, and God would add the "extra" to David's ordinary. From Psalm 18:
It is God who arms me with strength (v32)
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer (v 33)
He trains my hands for battle (v34)
You stoop down to make me great (v 35)
David humbly gave God credit and glory for his wartime victories. He knew he wasn't alone, even though God didn't remove the walls. We can't expect God to remove walls He wants us to scale with Him. Humbly, we give our all to our mission, run toward the wall, and trust God will help us scale it. Walls help us grow and develop trust in Him.
We become equipped for God's work not in the public square but where others are unaware. Humility grows in secret places behind closed doors where no one sees except God. Cultivate your relationship with God in hidden places to equip you for His tasks. Stay laser-focused and undistracted; God will help you scale walls for His glory!
PRAYER
Father, please grant us humble hearts to trust Your calling for our lives. Give us clarity in our calling so we don’t fill our plates with distractions. Show us season by season how we may best serve You according to Your will. Add the extra to our ordinary. We want Your Name to be glorified. Amen.
