When Zeal Replaces Listening

I Chronicles 17:1–2
“Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.’”

Once David was firmly established as king and settled into a palace built of costly cedar, something began to trouble him. The ark of God—the visible symbol of the Lord’s presence—still rested under a tent. The contrast disturbed David’s sense of propriety. God, in David’s mind, deserved better. Surely honor demanded something grander.

So, David voiced his intention to Nathan. He would build God a house worthy of His greatness. Nathan immediately affirmed the idea. It made sense. God was clearly with David. David’s motives were pure. His desire was noble. What could possibly be wrong with that?

Everything sounded right—until God spoke.

That very night, the Lord corrected both the king and the prophet. David was not to do all that was in his heart. God had never asked for a house. For generations, He had willingly dwelt among His people in tents. Rather than receiving a house from David, God declared that He would build David a house—a lasting dynasty that would culminate in a kingdom that reigns forever.

Then came the sobering reason: David, though deeply loved by God, was a man of war with blood on his hands. He would not build the temple. His son—a man of peace—would.

This passage exposes a subtle but dangerous assumption: that God’s presence equals God’s permission. Nathan said, “God is with you,” and that was true. But God being with David did not grant David the right to decide how he would serve God.

Blessing is not a blank check.

Even when God is clearly at work in our lives—even when our intentions are sincere and spiritual—we are not free to define obedience on our own terms. We cannot approach God and say, “Here is what I’m going to do for You,” and expect Him to approve simply because it feels right or sounds honorable. God does not exist to endorse our plans. He is God—and we are not.

Lordship demands submission.

The tragedy is not that David wanted to honor God. The tragedy is that neither David nor Nathan stopped to ask what God actually wanted. A great idea replaced humble inquiry.

Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” God is not silent about His will. But He reveals it only to those who honor Him enough to ask.

Good intentions are never a substitute for obedience. And zeal, no matter how sincere, does not excuse presumption.

If our intention is to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, then we must seek His heart and will first.