So much has been written about the fact that we reap what we sow. R.T. Kendall, a previous pastor of Westminster Chapel, tells the story of a missionary to Africa who preached for twenty years without much success, though he often invited his hearers to come forward and confess Christ. Then one day he found himself in a place where genuine revival broke out. To his amazement he witnessed people walking forward under great conviction even while he was still preaching! What he had failed to get people to do for twenty years was now happening spontaneously!

The lesson: when the Holy Spirit is poured out in an extraordinary way more people are converted in a day than in years and years of faithful work.  Note: I said “faithful” work, not “failing” work! Only God knows how long we must sow before the reaping comes, but it will come, so we must not stop sowing. Also we mustn’t expect to reap what we haven’t sown.

David has been serving the Lord through conflicts and great challenges. Now he reaps what he has sown, a time of rest.

Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 Samuel 7:1

His rest came from hard work and winning a people to himself.

And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 1 Samuel 22:2

Now there was an army very loyal to him. He learnt leadership. He learnt to enquire of the Lord. He learnt how to respect the presence of God. He learnt about his people and he provided protection for them in Jerusalem. He learnt from his mistakes and now he is reaping the benefits, rest from his enemies.

Yet David has spiritual ambition, he is looking for the kingdom to advance. He doesn’t want his church to be shabby and couldn’t care less!

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. 2 Samuel 7:2

As it turns out God will veto his plans but it was not wrong for him to want the best for God. There are plenty of people that have plans and ambitions for their children, their work, their finances. Why should God’s people not have hopes, ambitions, wishes, desires, longings for God’s kingdom. Do you pray for revival?

Paul prayed

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:15-20

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:8-11

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

Just take some time out to pray for Gateway “Your kingdom come”

David was open to correction. It had seemed good to David and Nathan to build a temple for God’s Ark, however we have to have that tender heart that can hear a no from God. That night God speaks to Nathan.

same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:4

God did not reject the idea of a temple for the Ark, he questioned whether David was the right person to build it (vs5). God asks why there has been no initiative to build something more permanent sooner.

In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”‘ 2 Samuel 7:7

Can we hear a no from God? How do we react to a no from God? These are important questions to ask ourselves. Do we go on rushing ahead doing our own thing when God has something else to say about it which may well be stop. God has a will for our lives and our churches and on many things it may be yes but on some things it may just be no, stop. Paul knew a no from God and it was for his good.

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. Acts 16:6

So David is overruled by God and he accepts the decision. Paul is overruled by God in speaking the word in Asia and accepts the decision.

For our good sometimes we are going to have to hear the guidance of God that says no.