II Samuel 7:1-17
When God Says, “No”
Introduction
1. You have prayed, knowing it just must be God’s will. Then God says, “No”. I think
that sometimes God has more to teach us when He says, “No” than when He says,
“Yes”.
2. How do you react to God’s denials? This is the situation in II Samuel 7:1-17
I. THE HEAVENLY DESIRE 7:1-3
This desire is seen in three ways:
A. His Rest 1
The Lord had given him rest roundabout from all his enemies…
What goes on in your heart and life when no one is around?
1. The Source 1a The Lord had given him rest
*How easy is it for us to forget and we fight our own battles.
*(Heb. 4:9-10) When we cease from our labors…we enter into His rest.
2. The Sphere 1b From all his enemies…
*The only way to have rest from an enemy is to defeat him!
*We are more than conquerors! (Heb. 4:11) There is a battle before the rest.
TheEnemy was defeated on the cross, but he must continually be reminded!
B. His Reflection 2
David resided in a beautiful, well furnished house of cedar, but the Ark of the
Covenant in a tent.
*Instead of being occupied with achievements or things, are you occupied with
God?
*What are your priorities? That’s why tithing is important. My money represents
who Iam, and so often God gets the leftovers.
C. His Request 3
1. The Consultation…Nathan the prophet…
2. The Consent…from Nathan’s point of view (without consulting God) it
sounded reasonable.
When God says, “No”, how do you react to God’s denials?
II. THE HEAVENLY DENIAL 7:4-7
v. 4 Heaven often speaks when things are still. Heaven reveals God’s will to the
person who desires to do God’s will.
A. The Denial Is Pointed 5
Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build Me an
house…
*Always remember who we are and what we are and who He is. He can do
anything Hewants. He is good and He is God! He knows what is best!
*God has His reasons for His denials.
B. The Denial Is Personal 6-7
God has His reasons. They may not be apparent to us. We may not understand.
He gives four reasons:
1. The building isn’t the reason for God’s activity.
2. The request did not come from the Lord. The idea is good, but the timing isn’t
right.
3. He shed much blood upon the earth…God has His reasons that may not be
apparent to us.
4. He really didn’t have all the facts; he thought he was ready, but he wasn’t.
God took time with David, and God will take time with us.
When God says, “No”, how do you react to God’s denials?
III. THE HEAVENLY DELIGHT 7:8-17
A. To Remind Us 8-9
God wants David to have the correct perspective. Upon a “No” this is always
appropriate:
1. Our Past… I took thee from the sheep cote… “I took you from following sheep”
*When God speaks to man it seems imperative to begin by reminding man that
all he is or ever will be is a product of His grace.
*God isn’t sitting in heaven counting His blessings that you enlisted in His army
in thenick of time and have come to save His kingdom from certain ruin.
You didn’t come to save God, God came to save you!
2. Our Progress 8b, 9b
*If there is any progress, we must be reminded: It’s to the praise of His glory!
*You are now king of the kingdom: Do you know how you got there? God was
with you, He made your name great!
*What we all need to hear: Never become overwhelmed by your own
importance.
*How can we take credit for what Someone else has done. Give credit where it
is due!
3. Our Provision 9a
*Victory is ours! At a time of “No” review the many enemies that once
enslaved usare no longer our master!
*Notice the I. Do we really have a right to question His, “No”? What a loving
God Who has brought us so far and given us so much.
B. To Remember Us 10-11
“I have said, ‘No’ David, but I haven’t forgotten you or Israel.
1. A Place…He has provided a place that one day Israel can call their own. He
said Hewould bring them back home. I believe He has! The day is coming
when the wicked will afflict them no more…But not until Jesus comes!
2. A Possession…I will make you a house. (John 14:1-6)
“David, you will want to build Me a house. David I’m the builder. I’m building a
Kingdom, a house, a heritage for you that you cannot even image in your wildest
dreams.”
C. To Reward Us 12-17…in a “No” there will be a greater blessing than in a “Yes”.
*This will not be until Jesus comes! Just because God says, “No” is no sign He
has forgotten us. What He has in mind will take time.
When God says, “No” “I want to show you greater things!”
GOD IS IN CONTROL!
REST ON HIM!!