"'When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
When my friend Rob Campbell built his home, he wrote meaningful Bible verses on doorways and the frame of the house. I always thought that was a great example of putting Christ first and reminding ourselves of God’s promises. This passage is one of those ‘already but not yet’ passages about God’s promise of building His kingdom and the promise of security and peace.
In the New Testament we are reminded that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20), meaning God’s Holy Spirit resides inside us. In addition, we are told we are part of the Kingdom of Heaven now (Matthew 5:3).
What are some of the promises we see in this passage? How is God represented in this passage and what is our relationship to Him?
These verses point to the big picture that extends from creation to long after we are gone. Where do you see yourself fitting into the story?
Since we are God’s temple, what are you writing on the inner walls and doorways of your home? What does it look like for you to know you are part of God’s kingdom now?
