O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured. He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not enter my house or go to my bed- I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool- arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy.” For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.
The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne-if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.”
For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it- I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy. “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent.”
Jesus told us not to worry about our life, what we would eat and drink, or what we would wear. He said our most important goal is to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He would take of all our other needs. (Matt. 6:25,33) He could have used David as an example of what He meant. He took David out of the fields as a boy, gave him legendary victories as a young man,and made him Israel’s most beloved king. (In Hebrew David means beloved.)
He didn’t do this because David was such a shining example of righteousness, but because David was “a man after my own heart.” (Acts 13:22) More than anything else, David wanted God to love Him. When we want someone to love us, we happily follow where the person leads and try to do what the person wants. That’s what David did. His faith in God was beyond any shadow of a doubt. And later, even when David had committed some of mankind’s worst sins, he knew that if he asked, God would forgive him (Psalm 51), and that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).
Paul was the same way. As much as he loved his churches, he made it clear that given the choice he’d rather depart from them and be with the Lord. (Phil. 1:22-24)
This is how God wants us to feel, and why he blesses those who feel this way so abundantly. Even though the Church in Ephesus was hard working and doctrinally sound, He chided them because they had forsaken their first love (Rev. 2:4). And regardless of what else we do, He promises a special crown to those who long for his appearing (2 Tim 4:8).
So it bothers me when I hear believers say, “Not yet, Lord” in reference to the rapture. Sure, their reasons often sound lofty, but I wonder if they know how it makes the Lord feel. I’m the first to admit I have a great life here. It’s hard to imagine how I could be more blessed. But given the chance I would leave in a heartbeat, without a backward glance. How about you? Are you ready to go?