2nd book of Samuel 7,18-19.24-29.
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, Lord GOD, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point? Yet even this you see as too little, Lord GOD; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to man, Lord GOD! You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, LORD, have become their God. And now, LORD God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have made concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have promised. Your name will be forever great, when men say, 'The LORD of hosts is God of Israel,' and the house of your servant David stands firm before you. It is you, LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who said in a revelation to your servant, 'I will build a house for you.' Therefore your servant now finds the courage to make this prayer to you. And now, Lord GOD, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord GOD, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever."
Psalms 132(131),1-2.3-5.11.12.13-14.
A song of ascents. LORD, remember David and all his anxious care;
How he swore an oath to the LORD, vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
"I will not enter the house where I live, nor lie on the couch where I sleep;
I will give my eyes no sleep, my eyelids no rest,
Till I find a home for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
The LORD swore an oath to David, a pledge never to be broken: "Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.
If your sons observe my covenant, the laws I shall teach them, Their sons, in turn, shall sit forever on your throne."
Yes, the LORD has chosen Zion, desired it for a dwelling:
"This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I desire it.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 4,21-25.
He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
GOD'S MEASURING CUP
"In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides. To those who have, more will be given." –Mark 4:24-25
David swore to the Lord, "I will not enter the house I live in, nor lie on the couch where I sleep; I will give my eyes no sleep, my eyelids no rest, till I" provide a temple in which the Lord shall dwell (Ps 132:2-5). David expended much "anxious care" (Ps 132:1) over this ministry. He truly loved and worshipped God, and cared for God's interests more than his own (see 2 Sm 7:2).
The Lord then gave David a prophecy that his kingdom would endure forever (2 Sm 7:16). David was literally staggered by this mind-boggling prophecy of blessing. Read David's prayer of thanksgiving in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. He was overwhelmed, almost "breathless" (see 1 Kgs 10:5), at the unbounded goodness of God.
"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him by your service, past and present, to His holy people" (Heb 6:10). "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9). When you serve God in love, seeking the interests of the Lord and His people rather than your own (see Phil 2:20-21), then God will "open for you the floodgates of heaven, to pour down blessing upon you without measure" (Mal 3:10). "Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:38).
Prayer: Father, may I serve You out of a heart of total love for You. May I love You more and more.
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