Advent Reflection for December 4, 2012

TUESDAY 2 Sam. 7:4-17

• No doubt David, Nathan the prophet and most Israelites thought God’s pledge applied to Solomon, David’s heir as king of Israel. Only later events forced people to ask: is the promise true? If so, how? Have you ever found that God takes a longer-range view of your life than you do? How do you develop patience and trust in God’s promises?

• In verse 8, God reminded David that he was as unlikely a person as Mary would later be. “I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.” Are you open to the likelihood that God wants to work through you?

Today’s reflection by Kathy Gull :

In 2 Sam 7:4-17 David is asking God, through the prophet Nathan, about building a temple for the Ark of the Covenant. God told David that it was not his job and that He had some big, long range plans for David and David’s family. Oftentimes we define our lives with benchmarks: graduations, marriage, children, moves, etc. We become so heavily involved in the details that time slips by and we may lose sight of the big picture. I blink and it is December and I am writing a devotion for advent. How did I get here already? Christ encourages us to pause, to be still in His presence and to be obedient. Reflecting on the knowledge that He has big, long range plans for my life just like he did David’s helps me to slow down. What does God want me to do? I rest and take comfort in the knowledge that God is in charge of the long range plan and I don’t have to be. My job is to serve, be obedient and seek His direction. What a blessed and protected place to be.