A good thing is not always God’s will for you, but God’s will for you will always be a good thing.
Here’s a good word for us in the midst of a self-indulgent society: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Php 2:4). For example, when I’m heading to the grocery store, do I check with a widow or young family to see if I could bring them something? Do I notice when a neighbor is sick and could use some help? Are my prayers all about me and mine? It takes discipline, especially when time or money is tight, to look out for others. That seems to be what David was doing in our story today (1 Chron 17:1-6). Previously, we read, “David built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it” (15:1). At the time he found nothing inconsistent about it—a few houses for me, a few curtains for God! But perhaps after seeing the beautiful golden ark with its finely fashioned cherubim sitting in a plain tent, he got to thinking. Nathan the prophet was on one of his regular visits to the palace, and the king opined to him, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains” (17:1). Good observation, David. It’s a bad policy in life to be lavish about our own desires but stingy when giving. We should practice frugality with ourselves and generosity with others. Now David didn’t fill in the details, but Nathan got the point. Without a moment’s hesitation, he replied, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you” (v 2). Remember that godly men are just men if they don’t first check in with God! Good intentions aren’t just another name for God’s will. Many good things are not “that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2). It will be worth it to wait for His will.