Ambition is what separates industrious people from slackers. Ambition is what gets some of us out of bed in the morning, and lack of it is what keeps others in bed. David appears to be an exceptionally ambitious man. One day he woke up and said, “I live in a great house. But God doesn’t have a house. I’m going to build him one.”
The prophet Nathan coaxed him on and said, “follow your heart.”
Thus was the birth of an ambitious, noble plan. Then God spoke and changed everything.
I sat up when I read it. My verse for the year is “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)
After the prophet Nathan encouraged David forward, God spoke to Nathan and made him retract his “follow your heart” sentiment. God wasn’t as anxious to have a house for Himself at that moment as David was. He explained Himself to Nathan to explain to David. He said there would be a temple, but Solomon would build it after David was gone. It was a nice idea, but it wasn’t God’s will in God’s time.
What a huge lesson about ambition and following your heart. This story, found in 2 Sam. 7 and 1 Chron. 17, is one example of what is called “the testimony of the Lord.” In these passages, we find God’s thoughts and words next to man’s thoughts and words. They aren’t the same.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Isa. 55:8) The seed idea of building God a house had entered David’s heart (A man’s heart deviseth his way), but it wasn’t to be pursued (but the Lord directeth his steps).
How did David find out it wasn’t God’s will? The Lord spoke through His prophet. How do we find out something isn’t God’s will? God speaks through His word, and we obey. Have David’s attitude: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105) And if it’s something that isn’t addressed in the Bible, God’s Spirit or the hand of God working in circumstances will take over. Follow David’s son Solomon’s instructions: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
Now we are back to ambition. Unbridled ambition is not godly. Can’t Satan plant ideas in your mind? This makes prayer so important in a way you may never have thought about. Start with this prayer: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” (Ps. 19:13)
The testimony of the Lord continues with David completely submitting to God’s will in the matter. In fact, after Nathan explained God’s plan to David, David prayed that plan back to God. His prayer is a pattern for us. Our best prayers also will be repeating God’s words back to Him, because, “this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to his will, (praying God’s word back to Him lines up with His will) he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Did God answer David’s prayer? Yes. Just as God promised that Solomon would build God a house, Solomon built God a house.
We have many lessons to learn!
Jody