Words for Life Articles

In the book of Chronicles, God spoke to the Prophet Nathan and asked him to say to David, “Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house”. It is very interesting that God says He will build David a house.

One should therefore ask this question why would God choose to build David a house, of all the kings in Israel, before and after David, why David? Does that mean that God is partial? Far from it; We can however find the answer to this intriguing reason in 1st Chronicles 17:1 "Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains."

The American SEALS (Sea, Air and Land Teams) are probably one of the most formidable forces on earth. For the seals to maintain this high level of formidability, they train 20 hours a day and sleep for only 4 hours. On sea they have learnt to swim with feet tied together. Every year between 600 and 800 attend the 25 weeks training, and at end of the 25 weeks 80% would have dropped out.

Some years ago I was invited by a church in North London to direct a stage play. After many weeks of rehearsals, I was confident and happy with the preparation we had put into it. On the day of performance we had our final dress and technical rehearsals to go on stage in the evening, when suddenly one of the lead characters developed this unholy fear and began to cry and refused to go on stage. After many words of encouragement he still insisted he was not going on that stage. I asked him how long he had been a Christian, he told me and I was shocked as he had been one for many years. I immediately took a spiritual stance against the situation and commanded the spirit of fear to come out of him. Needless to say this gentleman was the best in the play on that night and received a standing ovation from the audience who were oblivious of what had happened earlier in the day.

"And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:32-33)

When the Pharisees heard Jesus’ words they were indignant and upset they felt insulted that Jesus should call them “slaves”. They tried justifying their freedom based on their heritage, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, ye shall be made free?”

1Pe 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

I am challenged by this Word spoken by the Apostle Peter to the Church, which is similar to the Word of Jesus to His disciples before His crucifixion. A call to the church, to be sober, to be watchful and to pray.

I grew up thinking the Church to be the building. I use to marvel at the beauty of the Church building until I got to realise that I am the Church. The Body of Christ is the church. “A church building is a building or structure whose primary purpose is to facilitate the meeting of THE CHURCH”. Over the years many like myself have seen the building as “The church” and missed the fact that the building is just one of the tools that enables the Church to function effectively.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” (Exo. 33:17-18)

Whenever I read this passage of scripture, I am intrigued at Moses brazen confidence in his dialogue here with God.