In our previous meditation, we learned that the pathway to a glorious destiny is to follow divine pattern. What we need to add is that understanding the pattern to work with can only come by leaning on God. When David hatched his plan to build a temple for God, he probably felt that would earn him a commendation. Had he proceeded with it, he would have added to his already impressive profile. That would have appeared as making progress spiritually both for him and the people of Israel. However, he was stopped in his track. God told him to leave off the building of the temple to his son. As we walk with God, we will understand that progress is not just moving forward. It is possible to move forward in a wrong direction. Whatever is expended in such direction will be frivolous and without any merit.

…progress is not just moving forward. It is possible to move forward in a wrong direction. Whatever is expended in such direction will be frivolous and without any merit…We are called to a life of daily trusting in His grace.

David received the message in good spirit, knowing that whatever is done without divine warrant cannot be blessed. David earned a special commendation from God because he always sought to know His mind: “And when he had removed him, he raised up for them David as king; to whom also he gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). All through his life, David kept probing what the mind of the Lord was on every occasion. That was why he finished well. Some people begin well because they lean on God totally to know His mind only to develop independent mindset later on. We are called to a life of daily trusting in His grace.