A Perspective Altering Conversation with God
I. David’s PLANS and God’s RESPONSE. (v.1-17)
A. David WANTS to build God’s HOUSE. (v.1-3)
B. Since WHEN has God NEEDED a HOUSE? (v.4-7)
C. God BUILDS on multiple LEVELS. (v.8-17)
Last week we saw David learning some difficult lessons about the holiness of God. This week we move on to watch how his thinking is shaped and transformed by an encounter with God. This encounter changes his whole perspective and direction.
1. Kid’s Question: Where does God live? Are church building important?
2. God rehearses all He has done for David. What has God done for you?
II. David’s RESPONSE to GOD. (v.18-29)
A. First DAVID draws NEAR. (v.18a)
B. There’s a SHIFT in PERSPECTIVE. (v.18-22)
C. David is FILLED with GRATITUDE. (v.23-29)
David begins our text by reflecting on what God needs from Him. He wants to do something for God, something that matters. When God responds to David’s idea everything shifts. David sees that God doesn’t need Him, but welcomes him into what God is doing. David moves from taking action for God to receiving grace from God. It’s a necessary change.
3. How do you “draw near” to God? Do you have a regular rhythm or habit of doing that?
4. When has something happened in your life that radically shifted the perspective you had on a specific issue? What caused the shift?
5. What are some things that you are thankful for in your own life? Make a list of your top five.
III. A RECURRING Biblical PATTERN. (Ps. 86:11; Ps 25:4-5)
A. WAIT – Not OUR usual RESPONSE. (v.1; Ex. 32:1; Acts 1:4,21)
B. ENCOUNTER – TRANSFORMING our PERSPECTIVE. (v.4-17; Job 42:5; Mt. 27:54)
C. RESPOND – ACTIONS that flow from TRANSFORMATION. (v.18-29; Acts 4:23-31)
What we see here plays out all throughout Scripture. Our human tendency is to get moving, to take care of details, to do things for God. But what God calls us to is to wait for His direction. To seek Him…encounter Him…and then respond to what He is doing instead of trying to make it happen on our own.
6. What does waiting for God look like in your life right now? How open are you to waiting?
7. When have you had an “encounter” with God? How did you know He was encountering you? What came of it?
8. Do you find that you are prone to run ahead of God? Or maybe to doubt that if you wait that He will show up? What might God be saying to you through this text?