1 Chronicles 28:2-3 David rose to his feet and said: “My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a temple where the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, God’s footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it, but God said to me, ‘You must not build a temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’”
Thus saith the Lord:
See this, Child. David wished to build a temple for Me. His desire was pure. His heart was pure. But, I denied him that privilege because he had shed so much blood in battle. Was that an indictment on his past behavior in battle? No. He had engaged in battle for Me and at My direction in order to glorify My name and to protect My people. David had received his warrior spirit and his courage and his abilities from Me, all for My purposes. So why would I deny him the privilege if it was not a punishment for his having shed blood? Because it was in My greater plan to have Solomon build the temple. Did David pout or get angry or get self-righteous and argue with Me over my denial of his request? No. He accepted My decision and did all he could to help prepare Solomon for when it would be time for the building of My temple. He started to gather the materials necessary. He stored the precious metals to be used. He made plans for the temple, though he would not be allowed the privilege of building it. He was obedient in all this, including his disappointment. Can you be a David in this way? Can you trust that when I say “no”, that it is for the greater good? Can you trust that when your plans do not go your way, I am not punishing you? That I am not saying you are not deserving of doing good things? Can you celebrate that I have chosen others for what you wanted to do? Can you, instead of pouting and wanting to know why and wanting to know what I have for you – can you support and uplift and even celebrate the person(s) I have chosen to do those tasks, to fill those positions, to get that recognition? Can you step aside, get out of your pride and need, and allow me to uplift those that I choose to uplift? Every choice I make is not directly about you. It may affect you, but is not specifically about you. But, as with everything in your life, you have a choice as to how you participate in the outcome. Will you be a blessing, or withdraw and feel sorry about it? Will you trust that I know what is best? It is in your choices, your behavior and attitudes following My decisions that it becomes about you. Who do you want to be? How do you wish to represent me? Those issues are what determine if the circumstances become a blessing or a curse – to you and everyone involved.
Amanuensis 