The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-09-22

Righteousness exalteth nation"
prov. 1880. True religion is vital
to the life of a nation and Is the
only foundation for national sta
bility and growth. David, the man
after Gods own heart, knew this,
and was not content that the ark Of
God, the center Of the nations wor-
ship, Should be without suitable
house. He was not one to be con-
tent witt. a fine palace for his own
comfort while the ark of God had a
temporary abiding place within
curtained walls ". y.
Although the prophet Nathan en-
couraged him in his plan ". 81,
the Lord revealed to the prophet
that David was not to build His
house (see Chron. 1913, 81, but to
prepare the materials so that his
son Solomon could do it. David's
response to that message reveals the
true religious attitude of king and
a people who fear and worship God.
They were ready to-
I. Receive Gods Grace wv. 49,
22).
The great Davidic covenant,
which is yet to have its final full
fillnent in David's greater son, our
Lord Jesus, was made with him at
this time. He was promised that the
throne Of his kingdom was to be
established forever wv. 1870, a
prophecy to be fulfilled in Christ.
But there was also the great
promise of blessing upon David's
son Solomon, and the reminder Of
Gods grace upon David, the one
brought up from the sheepcote to be
king ". 81.
In humility of heart David re-
ceived this grace and thanked God
for it. Note such expressions as
"Who am II" ''What is my house?"
''What can David say more?" and
"For thy words sake thou hast done
these great things" David knew
and admitted his unworthiness; he
realized that this was indeed I'M
merited favor from God, but he &C.
cepted it as Gods gift.
II. Recognize Gods Power wv.
%, 24).
Israel had seen the mighty hand
of God at work on their behalf re-
peatedly, since the day God had
brought them forth out of Egypt.
God had literally redeemed them for
Himself, a purchased possession,
protected by His limitless power.
That redemption was not only ma
tional but spiritual-they were set
free from the gods of Egypt ". 23)
and confirmed to the Lord ". 24).
It is a great and noble thing when
nation recalls its past and thanks
God for His powerful hand upon its
destiny. It has been said that ma
ton which does not remember its
past will not have a future worth
remembering; and when it remem-
bers, let it recognize God in its his
tory. He is the God of the nations
as well as of individuals.
III. Rest in Gods Promise wv.
25-27).
''Do as thou hast said" That is a
perfect prayer for any nation. Let
the will Of God be done, and all will
be well-now and in the future.
There is nothing commendable
about doubling Gods promise or
limiting Him in fulfilling it. 1t glori-
fies God and magnifies His name to
take Him at His word and to conf
IDENTIFY expect Him to fully meet
His promise. To do anything else is
to reflect on His power and His
integrity.
It was the prayer Of David that
the Lords name might be magni-
fed forever in the keeping of the
covenant which He had made with
him. That squarely put all of the
authority and dependability of God
behind the keeping of the promise.
David found peace Of heart there.
May not we do likewise, resting on
the promises Of God?
Nv. Rejoice in Gods Blessing
wv. %, 29).
David praised God for the as
surance that His words were true,
and claimed the promise of a
blessing upon his house, "That il
may continue forever before thee"
He evidently saw beyond the i'm
mediate fulfllment of the promise
in Solomon to the coming of Christ
(cf. Wv. 10, 10; Rom. 1853. And
his heart leaped for joy at the un-
speakable honor which had thus
come to him.
This is substantiated by the trans
lation Of verse 10 by the Hebrew
scholar Adam Clarke: 20 Lord God,
thou hast spoken of thy servants
house for great while to come, and
hast regarded me in the arrange.
ment about the MAN that is to be
from above, o God Jehovah"
Little wonder, then, that David
raised his voice and heart in praise
and worship. His Alteration and
thanksgiving at the revelation Of
this 0raaf Truth ie hoa,,+;f,,l Tee