The Church

Melito Barrera • December 18, 2024

1 Chronicles 17:1 says, “Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.”

King David told Nathan the prophet about his concerns regarding the condition of the house of God. He must have felt guilty that he lived in luxury while the Lord’s presence symbolized by “the ark of the covenant” is still in a tent (1 Chr 16:1). David believed that God deserves a house that fits His glory and majesty! Our church buildings today don’t have to be adorned with gold and glitters, but what everyone sees when they enter our premises should testify what we believe about God’s glory (1 Chr 22:5), and that we serve the One Who is worthy of our best!


Nathan concurred (v. 2), when David told him about his intentions. However, God has other plans (Isa 55:8); He told Nathan that David should not build Him a “house to dwell in” (v. 3). Nathan humbly obeyed and delivered the Lord’s message to David that it was not him, but one of his sons would be tasked to build God’s house (v. 12). We learn later that God chose Solomon to accomplish His building project (1 Chr 28:6). Nathan had to correct himself in front of the king (v. 15).


One of the great characteristics of godliness is having the ability to admit when we are wrong (Prov 12:1), and be willing to correct ourselves when we know that something needs to be changed! David’s sole purpose was to give the best to God Who has given him everything (Prov 16:2). This should also be the heart’s desire of every redeemed person (Col 3:23)! God is not asking us to repay everything He has done for us. But there should be a cheerful expression within us (2 Cor 9:7), to always give Him the best instead of our leftovers (Deut 15:21). We must exalt, honor, and glorify Him (1 Cor 10:31), regardless of the cost! God bless you!


- Pastor Melito Barrera

Share this post

By Melito Barrera July 18, 2025
Matthew 17:3 says, “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
By Melito Barrera July 17, 2025
Lamentations 3:20 says, “My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.”
By Melito Barrera July 16, 2025
Revelation 21:4 says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
By Melito Barrera July 15, 2025
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
By Melito Barrera July 14, 2025
Jude 1:18 says, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
By Melito Barrera July 12, 2025
Isaiah 42:18 says, “Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.”
By Melito Barrera July 11, 2025
3 John 1:11 says, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
By Melito Barrera July 10, 2025
Song of Solomon 2:3 says, “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
By Melito Barrera July 9, 2025
2 John 1:2 says, “For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
By Melito Barrera July 8, 2025
Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.”