The House That God Built
Text: 1 Chronicles 17:1-27
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” —1 Corinthians 1:30
“The Cathedral of Baseball” refers to the old Yankee Stadium located in the Bronx, in New York City. It was the home ballpark for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 2008. It’s also called “The House That Ruth Built,” derived from Babe Ruth, the once “hopeless, incorrigible” kid from Baltimore, whose prime years as a baseball superstar coincided with the stadium’s opening and the beginning of the Yankees’ winning history.
In 1 Chronicles 17, David desired to build a cathedral-like house of worship for the ark of God’s covenant. After conquering Jerusalem and successfully bringing the ark of the covenant back into the city, David shared this desire with Nathan the prophet: “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”
David’s wish to build this temple for God was met with refusal:
But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling…’” (1 Chronicles 17:3–5 ESV)
Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to build a house for David, which became realized in the form of a sure and perpetual dynasty. In fact, God says of the Davidic house and kingdom, that it is “my house and… my kingdom.” In other words, God’s eternal, heavenly kingdom will be present in and expressed through the Davidic kingdom.
This is the very heart of the Gospel message. Our eternal salvation has nothing to do with what we can build for God, but everything to do with what Jesus has built for us through His atonement on the cross. We don’t offer Jesus our own righteousness, rather He offers us His righteousness as our only justification before a holy God. Our relationship with God is built on nothing more or less than the saving work of Jesus. Forgiveness for our sins, reconciliation with God, peace in our hearts, a new beginning… this is all a result of what God builds for us through Christ.
This promise is not only realized in this lifetime, but the one to come. For Jesus has promised:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1–4)
Jesus is building for us an eternal dwelling, that where He is, we can be with Him forever. He is the Master Builder, and like David did, our only reasonable response should be to worship Him: “There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you” (1 Chronicles 17:20). Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Even the most commendable of my deeds are nothing but filthy rags compared to the holy and perfect nature of Jesus Christ. I recognize my deficiency before you, I confess my sins, and I receive what you have built for me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, and eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- When have you built something really impressive?
- Do you think it was good that David wanted to build a house for God? (1 Kings 8:18)
- What do you find significant about David’s prayer in vv. 16-27? What characteristics of this prayer should we emulate in our worship?
- What is your response when you fully consider all that God has done for you through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ?
- How can you express worship and gratitude this week for what God has built for you and continues to build for your future?