You are God Alone

I have been thinking alot lately about how we lok to keep God in a box. You know one that looks clean and neat, without any holes or problems. I think in some way we try to control God by making Him fit into our lives in a certain way. I

2 Samuel 7: 5-8 says, "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" '
8"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.

I think the reason these verses really stood out is because of the picture they display. Think about it. God has never dwelt or been limited to a house built by human hands. He doesn't work in our time schedule or in our ways. He is constantly at work whether we see Him or not. David's intentions were good, but it wasn't what God had planned. The temple guarantees God's presence but at the same time limits His freedom. Look how God addresses the situation. He says, "I have been moving," meaning He is at work. God is a God who will not be held in place by any religious agreement, He is free and cannot be controlled, bought or ordered around.

Think about this in light of today's culture and the ideas we have about God and a Church bulding. We often times think we go to Church to see or hear from God. However, God is freely moving and working in and among us, outside the walls of Church buildings. Why? Because He will not be controlled by man, and the Church is not a building but a movement of people who follow Christ.

Check out v. 8. Notice what God tells David. I took you from following the flock to be the leader. God took David from following to leading, and he wasn't limited or held back because He didn't have a building. David goes from following sheep to being the Shepherd of the Nation of Israel at this point. This brought to mind a song, "You Are God Alone," by Philips, Craig & Dean. Thought you might like to read the lyrics:

You are not a god Created by human hands
You are not a god Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

[chorus]You are God alone
From before time began You were on Your throne Your are God alone
And right now In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You're the only God Whose power none can contend
You're the only God Whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God And that's just the way it is

God please continue to protect, guard and comfort Shay in this time of physical struggle. Please touch his body to remove the infection and help his heart to start working as it should. We know you are the great healer and physician and ask for a miracle in this. You are God Alone.


Brian