Day 217: Not Complaining

John 4:43-54; 1 Chronicles 17; Zechariah 6

David's heart is in the right place, he wants to do something honorable for The Lord. So why would God tell him no? God has a plan for each of our lives; he has given us gifts that enable us to carry out that plan. God has reasons for giving us the role in this world that we have. There are certain things that we are capable of because of God's gifts that others are not, and there are things that others can do that we cannot. If we try to do something that isn't in God's plan for us, we will struggle and we will take that away from someone who is made to do it. But if we recognize the role God has given us, we embrace it, and use our gifts to further God's kingdom and serve others, we will find ourselves fulfilled and blessed because we are being obedient to The Lord.

David, after being shot down about his idea to build the temple, but told that his descendants will be kings and his son will build the temple, doesn't go and complain to God that he doesn't get to do the honorable task of constructing them temple. He doesn't whine to the priest or his friends or get jealous. He recognizes God's sovereignty and sees the significance of God's promise to his descendants. He praises The Lord even though he was turned down. David is humbled and gives praise to God for who he is, what he has done, and what he promises to do. I know that I need to cultivate more of a heart of praise like David. That even when things don't go my way, I recognize God's power and worship him anyway.