Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1944-09-22

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Couasil OF Religious Education; used by
| PERMISSION.
RELIGION IN THE LIFE
OF A NATION
LESSON TExT-Il Samuel 7;l7.29.
GOLDEN TExT-The Lord shall Be
unto thee an everlasting ight. and thy
! God thy glory. Isaiah 60;l9.
Righteousness exalteth q nation"
prov. IA: 3p. True ligion 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 a suitable
house. He was not one to be con.
tent with a fno 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 ", -.
the Lord revealed to the prophet
that David was not to build His
house (see Chfon. 22:8, o.. 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 a king and
a people who fear and worship God.
They were ready to-
!. Receive Gods Grace wv. 10.
22).
The great Davidic covenant.
which Is yet to have its final full.
fillment 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 (vv. 1879. .
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 II Note such expressions as
Who am II" What IL 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 1t rs Gods gift.
II. Recognize Gods Power wv.
-. "a.
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, . purchased possession.
i, protected by His limitless power.
That redemption was not only ma
tional but spiritual-they were set
free from the gods Of Egypt ". ~
and confirmed to the Lord ". "a.
II IL q great and noble thing when
q nation recalls its past and thanks
God for His powerful hand upon it,
| destiny. 1t has been said that . m.
ton which does not remember Its
past will not have a future worth
remembering; and when II remem.
bers, let 1t recognize God In It's his.
tory. He Is the God Of the nations
rs well as Of individuals.
| III. Rest In Gods Promise wv.
25.2D.
do as thou hast said" That is 4
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
J limiting Him In fulfilling 1t. II glori'
fies God and magnfes 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.
II 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 Goo
behind the keeping OF the promise
David found peace Of heart there
May not we do likewise. resting or
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 {
blessing upon his house. That 4
may continue forever before thee.
He evidently saw beyond the i'm
mediate fulhllment of the promise
In Solomon to the coming Of Chris
(cf. w. Is. 10; Rom. 4:5-8. Ane
his heart leaped for Joy at the un
speakable honor which had thu
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 servant
house for q grea. while to come, an,