APRIL 19 – Reading 109

by John Christian Pra | April 19

“HIS KINGDOM FOREVER”
(2 Samuel 7:1-29; 1 Chronicles 17:1-27; Psalm 110:1-7)

“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:16

God had been waiting for this moment. A moment where one of His children would approach Him and say, “I want you here.” In this passage today, David is revealing this cry in his heart. God is dwelling in a tent while he dwells in a beautiful house of cedars. In his heart, David wanted a place for God’s glory to settle in the midst of His people. 

And through this desire, God shares his heart. Nobody before David had ever shared this desire. This request to build a temple seemed to touch a deep place in the heart of the Father. However, God reveals that it is not yet time for that building project to occur. However, after that, there is an overflow of God’s heart for David so much so that He promises David a lineage that will produce a forever-kingdom. 

In this moment, God promises that David will be established forever. Ultimately, this will come through Jesus Christ and His reign which continues even to this day. On this weekend where we prepare for Easter, we recognize that Jesus is truly still reigning and through His death, burial, and resurrection, His Kingship will never end. 

David received a glimpse of a promise; we receive the whole. Jesus, the everlasting King who will establish His everlasting Kingdom here on earth forevermore.

Reflections:

  • Why do you think God had a response like this to David’s request?
  • In what ways do you desire God’s presence to be established in your life?
  • How have you seen Jesus’ kingship reign in your life? 

Application: 

  • Take time today to come to God and share with Him your desire for more of Him in your life. 
  • Recognize how God has blessed you and take time to share that with family and friends. 
  • Pray that God’s Kingdom would be established in areas of your life / world that seem to be outside of His reign.  

Closing Prayer…
Jesus, I come to you today with a desire in my heart for more of you in my life. I say, like David, “I desire your presence here.” I ask you Jesus to come into my heart and world and establish yourself as King over all things. Give me your wisdom as I seek to follow you with my whole heart and submit to your will and ways. I pray you would prepare my heart for the Easter celebration that you reign over all things forevermore. You are King Jesus.

About our Author

John Christian Pra is a devoted husband to his lovely wife, Alina. Pastor JC is born and raised in Bergen County, spent some years in Virginia for college, and is back pursuing his calling where he grew up. Ever since the Lord changed his life, his heart’s desire has been to see people come to know the love of Jesus in a tangible way and live wholeheartedly for Him. Since 2022, John Christian has served as the Next Gen pastor at Transformation Life Church and during that time has had a longing to see generations of disciples be raised up and live passionately for Christ. During his time off, Pastor JC loves to spend time with his wife, eat delicious food, read good books, study God’s Word, play basketball, enjoy community, and brew delicious coffee.

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