June 18 | 1 Chronicles 17:7-15
- Kathleen Serio
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
David The Architect
By Kathleen Serio
I am laughing to myself thinking of poor David. Can we really not study his story without thinking about sheep? Well, for me, the answer appears to be no. As I read this passage, I cannot help but recall the similar words of promise in Psalm 23.
1 Chronicles 17 | Psalm 23 |
I have been with you (v. 8) | For you are with me (v. 4) |
I have cut off all your enemies (v. 8) | I will fear no evil (v. 4) |
I will provide a place for my people (v. 9) | You prepare a table before me (v. 5) |
Wicked people will not oppress them anymore (v. 9) | Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (v. 6) |
The Lord will build a house for you (v. 10) | I shall dwell in the house of the Lord (v. 6) |
His throne will be established forever (v. 14) | Forever (v.6) |
When I look past the words alone, I think about what God is telling David at this moment. David was trying to honor God with a house fit for a king to keep the Ark of the Covenant in, and God comes along and, the second He hears of David’s plans, He shuts them down. This is far from the only spot in the Bible where God stops His people from thinking about physical locations being important. God is not concerned with buildings. Instead, God is concerned about his people.
Most of us have probably spent some time grappling with the idea of the church versus the Church. The lowercase church is a building, while the uppercase Church is God’s people – those who believe in Him. In this passage, God is talking with David about a house. David is thinking of a physical place to essentially store God, but God is telling David that what is truly important has nothing to do with a where, but with a who. So God stops David from thinking about a physical structure and turns his mind to the house, the family, the lineage, that David will leave behind.
To be honest, thinking about your lineage is a lot to handle. When God told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), that was difficult for him to comprehend, especially since he did not yet have any children. David is being told that God will establish His kingdom through David and that his throne will be established forever (v. 14). Forever is a long time.
David has learned by this point in his life how to trust in God and to let God have that control over his life, but just because he has learned to trust does not make the waiting time any easier.
PRAYER
God please be with us as we wait for your promises to come true. Be with us as we trust in your plan and what you say even when it confuses us. Thank you for caring about your people, your Church, and for living in our hearts. Thank you for being the shepherd who guides us, protects us, cares for us, and loves us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATHLEEN SERIO
I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.
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