We meet Nathan the prophet for the first time in 2 Samuel 7. A prophet was one who proclaimed God’s words to people; he also recorded events that happened during David’s reign (1 Chron 29:29) and was involved in the music worship of the time (2 Chron 29:25), but little else is known about him apart from this chapter and his clearly spoken word of admonition later in David’s life. Obviously he is important in being God’s spokesman to David at critical times in his life.

Nathan appears to have had a good relationship with David, but his primary calling is to speak forth what God says to him, and this he does without reserve. A prophet’s job is not always an easy one, for there are times when speaking God’s word will go against what people want to hear. Nathan does not shirk this responsibility, but acts with courage and conviction. Despite initially endorsing David’s idea (“Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” 2 Sam 7:3), he is prepared to go back to him the next day when God has spoken to him and give him ‘the word of the Lord’, even if this might have seemed a dangerous thing to do. (Kings don’t always respond well to revision of their plans, let alone rebuke.) But Nathan knows that this is his job. He must speak out what God gives him. He is not afraid to admit that he has got it wrong; his only concern is to bring David what God has told him to say.

We too need the courage and convictions of Nathan. Our responsibility is to speak God’s word, whether this is popular or well received or not. We have to be prepared to wait on God and listen to Him more than anyone else.

It’s a fact of life that ‘no’ is often the word we like least! One of the shortest words in the English language, it’s nevertheless a word we associate with negativity and the crushing of our plans. My youngest granddaughter, aged 19 months, puckers up and sobs in frustration the minute she hears the word. You would think we had refused her every opportunity for happiness simply by uttering the word, rather than saved her from danger!

In 2 Samuel 7, we see how David responds when God says ‘no’ to his plans to build God a temple. At first sight, his request seems laudable, a great idea, but God reminds him that He has no need of grandiose dwellings (see 2 Sam 7:5-7) and has far bigger plans for David than David could ever have for him. (2 Sam 7:8-16) David ultimately is humbled by God’s great plans and learns to respect His wisdom. His ways and thoughts, after all, are so much greater than ours. (Is 55:8-11)

It’s hard when God says ‘no’ to us. We find it bewildering and confusing, especially when our ideas want to glorify Him. Bob Deffinbaugh reminds us, ‘No matter how pious my plans for God and His work appear to be, they fall far short of the purity of thought and motive God requires. In the final analysis, there is nothing we can do for God in our own strength. It is God who must accomplish great things through us, and very often in spite of us.’

This chapter reminds us that God’s ‘nos’, painful though they are, may be necessary, but always lead to a better ‘yes.’ (2 Cor 1:20) May we learn, like David, to humbly accept whatever God tells us and to wait patiently before the Lord.