King David wanted to build God a house of worship. It made sense in a way. David knew that while He was living in a house of cedar that the ark of God was dwelling “within tent curtains” (see. 2 Samuel 7:2). This didn’t seem right to David, and he wanted to correct it.

It was a noble idea but it wasn’t God’s will for David. God wanted to do not a physical thing in David’s life but a deeply and profound spiritual thing. He would allow a temple to be built but that job would fall to David’s son, Solomon.

Then a tremendous role reversal takes place. God says to David, “The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you”(2 Sam. 7:11). David is to be gifted with a house built by God. Of this house God says, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16).

God is doing something in the world that is not rooted and grounded in the things of the world. God is at work in the hearts and lives of people, a people who actually become His “Chosen Race,” His “royal Priesthood,” His “holy Nation,’ and “a people for God’s own possession” (I Pet. 2:9). The house that God builds is “a spiritual house” comprised of people who have come to Christ, “ a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God” (I Pet. 2:4-5).

This house is comprised of what the Bible calls, “living stones,” ordinary people who by an extraordinary and amazing Grace have received mercy so as to come alive in the very life of God. The good news in this is that you and I are invited to be that people.

Merry Christmas!