I was listening to Teresa Conlon's message "Worship" today. What I heard caused an ache in my heart that I could not explain. She was talking about how David was a great example of what it was to be a true worshipper of God. And when she mentioned this verse, how David wanted to build a house for God, yet God turned it around and said He was going to build him a house, I felt this hunger and desire burst forth in my heart. My eyes burned with tears and a longing to hear God say that to me, rose up from deep inside my soul so strong, it was almost painful. Almost as soon as the thought crossed my mind, then came the words, "But I did say that to you." I froze, standing in my kitchen. My first thought was "Lord? You said that to me?" And on the heels of that, scripture from John came flooding through my mind, and in Corinthians.

Then I had to go find my Bible, that precious love letter from my Father. It's an ironclad contract, you know, between his children and him. It's forever settled in heaven, it can't be broken. He won't change his word. He won't break his promise. In the original Hebrew, the word "build" means to obtain children, make, repair, set up, make sure, to begin to build. To erect or raise up. To strengthen.

I don't think He's talking just about Samuel, here. Because Samuel's sons did not follow in his footsteps, nor were they righteous. I always thought that was strange, considering how Godly Samuel was. Webster's 1828 Dictionary says build means "to frame, construct, raise, shape into a particular form, to raise anything on a support or foundation, as to build our hopes on air. In scripture, to increase and strengthen, to cement and knit together. To settle or establish and preserve."

(He cites the examples: Acts 20;32, Eph.2:22, 1 Sam 2:35, the last of which is the scripture we are looking at here). Also, as a verb, Webster says it like this: BUILD, To exercise the art, or practice the business of building. To build, to plant, whatever you intend. To construct, rest or depend on as a foundation; as, to build on the opinions of others.

Look at the phrase "Sure House" used in verse 35 or 1 Sam. 2.

Strong's Hebrew Definitions: Build up, or support, foster as a parent or nurse, render or be firm or faithful, to trust or believe, be permanent or quiet, morally to be true or certain, assurance, bring up, establish, be faithful, of long continuance, steadfast, trusty, verified, nurse. Do you see what he's saying? He's building us on the foundation of the Rock of his Son, it can't be taken down, it can't be moved or shaken. Nothing can prevail against it, no weapon formed against it will prosper. Not only do I have a new, glorified body waiting in heaven to put on, but I am part of the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no more sure foundation than HIM.

"Make thee a house":: Strong's Heb. Def: H6213 To do, or make, accomplish, advance, appoint, become, bring forth, certainly, have the charge of, commit, ready, dressed, fashion, fit, finish, furnish, grant, be occupied, offer, bring to pass, perform, prepare, provide, trim. Did he not promise in Phil. 1:6 that what he started he would perform until the day of the Lord? Didn't he promise in Psa 138:8 that he would perfect *(complete) what concerns me? He'll make it sure! I can't but he Can and WILL! Hallelujah!!!!!

I was reading these scriptures, through the eyes of renewed faith, and trust me, worship for such an Almighty God filled my heart. Oh, how I can relate to what Paul said:

I was thinking about what the scripture said about David being a man after the Lord's own heart.

When I got to digging in to the meaning of some of these words it amazed me, and it did something to my heart. The Lord sought him a man after his own heart:

Sought: to search out, by any method, specifically in worship or prayer, to strive after, ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, request, seek for. Require, procure. (Strong's Heb. Def) David wanted to share the heart of God for the people. He wanted to know what God's heart was toward the people. He hated his own sin and weakness and wanted a heart like God's!

AFTER HIS OWN HEART: In pursuit of, moving behind, following, in search of (GOD'S heart) in imitation of, to model after something.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

According to the direction and influence of. To seek by asking. To follow after, in scripture, is to pursue, or imitate, to serve or worship.

Why David? David had the worst job in Israel, watching the sheep. The lowest job around, as considered by most. He was the youngest of 8 sons, and the least esteemed of them all. Yet he was just, compassionate, determined to protect the sheep, and he worshipped the Lord as he went about his job. He prayed, he communed with God. He had to have established a relationship with God, because he came straight from the pasture into the battle with Goliath and had no training in warfare, except what he'd learned watching the sheep, yet he had a solid trust in his God. Wow. And consider this: even then, God was building his faith and preparing him for the battle ahead, by allowing the lion and the bear to come against the sheep and both times, God gave the boy David the victory over these two animals who were much larger and stronger than David. God saw David had a heart for him, he wanted to know God. To be like God. Why else would God say he was a man after my own heart?

Now just consider, God has prepared a place for the Bride of Christ, for those who love him. Scripture says the Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man what he hath prepared for them who love him. (1 Cor 2:9). Wow. Just think. The Almighty God has built a house in heaven for his people. Who am I that he would think that much of me? Who am I that he would even know my name, much less call on me and open my eyes to such exceeding, precious promises? Oh, praise the name of the Lord God Almighty! Bless the Lord, Oh, my soul, and forget not all his benefits!