2024 Advent Devotion: Day 3

Tuesday, December 3

2 Samuel 7:18–29; Revelation 22:12–16

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why, oh Lord, why?” Most of us have, and usually this question comes during times of turmoil, distress, or lostness. However, when David asked this question of the Lord, he did so not out of a place of mourning or despair, but out of intense curiosity and gratitude: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” (2 Samuel 7:18). However, this is not to say that David’s reason for asking the question is more “holy” than ours, more righteous, more pure. We may ask this question of God no matter our circumstances. Indeed, Scripture encourages us to do so. Yet, despite the origin of our question, whether good times or bad, we often will find that the answer is exquisitely simple: “Take heart, God is a promise-keeping God.”

King David, thinking it more suitable to house the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, brought it up into the Holy City and placed it in a tent. On the one hand, there was much celebration in the city because of the ark’s presence. On the other, there was sadness. David lamented that while he lived in a house of Lebanon cedar, the ark of God lay in a tent. So he intended to build God’s temple upon the earth. This, however, was not the plan. Indeed, Samuel describes an emphatic rejection. “No, you won’t.” But then, reassurance: “Remember, I took you from the pasture and made you a king. I have been with you wherever you went. Now I will do even more. I will make of you a great name. And instead of you building a house for Me, I will build an eternal house and lineage for you!” God’s promises were so inconceivable that David did not dwell upon the initial rejection, but on the promise: “For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever” (7:29).

During the season of Advent, we look forward to celebrating the fulfillment of this promise, and we hope for the future consummation of all things: “It is I, Jesus . . . the root and the descendant of David . . . The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty, come” (Revelation 22:16–17). In the final chapter of the final book of the Bible, Christ proclaims Himself as both root and heir of the Davidic house, the promised king. We will endure personal hardships in this life. However, when we “strain at the oars,” sometimes we could be forcing the issue, as David did. But David’s disappointment turned into something else entirely. When we encounter life’s disappointments and trials, remember that God is a promise-keeping God.

Rev. Dr. John R. Wright
Adjunct Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy