“Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

– 2 Samuel 7:11b-16 (ESV)

The people of God were seeing some of His promises come to pass. They had a judge and prophet, Samuel. He had changed the nation from a theocracy (God in charge) to a monarchy (with a king). The people were happy. They hadn’t yet felt the downside of rejecting God as king. But, it was only a generation away. David had been anointed King; he was dispatching the enemies of the people of God and had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to the Promised Land, ahead of its installation in the Temple that his son Solomon would build. Nathan speaks out God’s words of promise to David that it would be a kingdom that would last forever, with a king on the throne for eternity, and God would make this happen.

God uses the people’s desire for a human king to prompt a reminder. He had a plan for a forever king, not a fallible human who would seek power. We start to see and hear hints of God’s plan. It is for one whom God would call ‘Son’. He would have his kingdom established by God Himself. We know now that this king is Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords. But the people would have only heard the promise: God is working with this family, and so His people, to set up His kingdom forever! Jesus is the promised king. He would fulfil these and other promises. He is God’s anointed one, to rule with His Father. God Himself has established Jesus’ throne for ever. Amen!

This promise to David gives me peace. He would not have fully understood its magnitude, nor that God became human to fulfil it. It gives me peace. God promised David something beyond his time, understanding, and anyone’s imagination. I then think of God’s promises in Christ Jesus. I think of how people will hear the good news. I think of the generations of blessing that will flow. I think of how His kingdom will never stop expanding. I used to worry and stress equally about all the things I was supposed to do with God and all the people who needed to hear His gospel.

Yet, this promise reminds me that, at Christmas, I can find peace for my troubled heart and mind. God sees beyond generations and my limited humanity. He can work things for His kingdom that I could never imagine. All I need to do is stay obedient and keep my heart connected to His.

This Christmas, reflect on God’s promises and how they extend far beyond your immediate circumstances. Take a moment to write down a dream or desire you’ve held close but have struggled to entrust to God. Offer it to Him in prayer, asking for His guidance and peace as He fulfills His plans in His time. Perhaps share a word of encouragement with someone feeling overwhelmed. Remind them of God’s eternal faithfulness and His ability to work beyond our imagination.

This Christmas, you can let hope and peace extend beyond the material things to the dreams and hopes of your heart, knowing that, in Jesus, God is faithful to complete what He begins.

A prayer: “Lord, thank You that You see the end from the beginning, and that eternity is in Your hand, not mine. Thank You for seeing my life and beyond it. You see the outcomes of my actions and investments. You see my family’s wellbeing and those who need to hear Your good news. I trust You with the dreams and desires of my heart, which are there because You gave them to me. This Christmas, would You continue to challenge me to trust You to accomplish Your plans and purposes Your way. Thank You for including me in Your great and wonderful plans. Amen.”