Nothing throws an independent and determined man like the fact that the only way for him to build God a house is for God to first build Him one. Grace puts you on your backside before teaching you to work. David was determined to build God a house only to hear God say in response, “No, I will build you a house” (2 Samuel 7:11). God’s covenant with David was that He would set the fruit of his body on the throne (v. 11), and so David’s horn would bud and lamp shine (v. 17; 1 Kings 11:36).

This covenant promise would come to pass if David’s children kept God’s covenant (v. 12), if the anointed did not turn their face away (v. 10). For God certainly would not turn His face away from His covenant (v. 11). “Let God be true though every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

When David’s sons kept covenant with God, things went well. When they did not keep covenant with God, things went poorly. It really is that simple. The same holds true for every man who takes up his cross to follow Christ. Faith is the essential instrument. “Did God really say?” is the old and tired lie from the serpent.