I was reading in 1 Chronicles 17 this morning. David is settled nicely in his new palace, becomes conscience stricken about the poor “living conditions” of the ark of God, and inquires of Nathan whether he should build a more fitting structure:
After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”
2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”
(1 Chr 17:1-2)
Now think about this. You are the king living in a palace. The ark, containing symbols of God’s greatness and faithfulness in the past, is under a tent. You think it would be a good idea to create a more permanent, perhaps rain and draught proof structure, more fitting for this incredible item. You consult the top man of God in the region, Nathan, and he essentially says, “Go for it.” Should be good enough, right?
Except that it isn’t. That night God appears to Nathan in a dream and tells him that he does not want David to build a house for the ark, but He (God) will build David’s house (his dynasty) and the task of a house for God will fall to his offspring (Solomon) – who does indeed go on to build a temple for God.
What seemed entirely logical ended up being completely wrong. It was what was theo-logical that was important, what God said rather than what man, even a man of God, thought.
This is personally challenging to me because I hold logic in very high esteem. My favorite characters in Star Trek happen to be the most logical: Spock and Data. To distrust this most prized attribute is counter-intuitive to me. Yet the Bible says, There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)
I certainly want to make good decisions for my life, my family and in ministry. What I need to remember is that sometimes the good decision is not the God-decision, sometimes the logical is not the theological – and to make sure that I am open for supernatural guidance even if (especially if) it seems to contradict logical wisdom.
So, my prayer for today, comes from James chapter 1:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (v5-8)
Be wise, my friends, be wise.