Secure Forever

For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. . . . Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever. 2 Samuel 7:12, 16

GOD PROMISED DAVID that he would make his name great and give his people a place of security. He did that in David’s day. God promised that he would establish a dynasty from David, that his son would sit on his throne and would build a house for him. God did that in Solomon’s day, when Solomon sat on David’s throne and built the Temple in Jerusalem. God promised that when David’s son sinned, he would discipline him, which he did with Solomon and many other Davidic kings who followed him. But while this dynasty was one of the longest-lasting ancient empires —four hundred years —there did come a day when no son of David was sitting on the throne in Israel. It raises the question: What happened to God’s promise to David that his house, his kingdom, and his throne would last forever?

Over many years the people of Israel struggled to hold on to the promise. Finally an angel came to Mary, telling her that she was going to have a son, saying, “The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33, ESV). This was going to be the Son, the King, whom generations had longed and waited for ever since God made his covenant with David!

Even now this Son of David sits on the throne at the right hand of God. And because we know that Jesus is on the throne, we can stop our worrying and our vain attempts to control everything. The one who is seated on the throne is not only able to supply our needs and protect us; he has at his disposal everything needed to fulfill all of his promises. Because he is on the throne, our joy doesn’t have to be so tied to our circumstances, and our sense of security doesn’t have to be so easily shaken. The Lord rules over all.

Lord, you reign over our difficult circumstances. You reign over our ongoing conflict. You reign over our carefully crafted plans. And you can be trusted. You are a good King.