THE LORD GOD MAKES A PROMISE

PROCLAMATION

“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.” 2 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After King David had brought the ark of The Lord to Jerusalem, The Lord God blessed David and Israel with peace from all their enemies. (2 Samuel 7:1)  David became concerned because he was living in a fabulous palace built of cedar while the ark of God was residing in a tent.  He wanted to build a temple to house the ark of God, but The Lord God told him that his offspring would build the temple for the ark of God. (2 Samuel 7:12-13)   The Lord God also said that David’s house and his kingdom will endure forever, and his throne will be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:16)  This reference was to Jesus, The Christ, and not to David’s son Solomon.

APPLICATION

We don’t like to think about the fact that one day our life will come to an end.  For most of us, when our days on this earth are over and we have transitioned from labor to reward, our children will succeed us and carry on our legacy.  The Lord God will remember us, and He will bless us and our children. (Psalm 115:12-15)  After we die, we will live on in the lives of those that we have touched.  “To live in the hearts of those we leave behind, is not to die.” (Thomas Campbell, 1825, in the poem “Hallowed Ground”)  The deeds of the righteous will be remembered forever, (Psalm 112:6) and the memory of the just will be blessed. (Proverbs 10:7)  However, the kingdom which He will establish that will endure forever will be the kingdom of Christ, and as believers we will be a part of this kingdom.