Advent: Promises in the King (2 Samuel 7:8-16)

Last Sunday was the second of our Advent sermons. In the first sermon we prepared
ourselves for the coming of Christ as it is a time for celebration, salvation and reconciliation
starting with God’s promises in the beginning. In the second Advent sermon, Promises in
the King, we see the promises given to us through the line of King David which we inherit
as the New Covenant.

Genesis 3:15 tells us that the head of the serpent will be crushed by the offspring of the
woman; at the Cross Jesus is victorious over Satan and death. We were told that all
peoples on earth will be blessed through a Jew (Genesis 12:3) and that he will be from the
tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) through the line of David (2 Samuel 7:16).

In 2 Samuel 7:8-11, God chose a young shepherd, David, to eventually lead the nation
Israel. God gave David successes in military, political and religious spheres. But God did
not allow David his heart’s desire to build a Temple in Jerusalem for him. David must have
been disappointed. All of us do face and must learn to accept disappointments in life. God
may choose us for some appointments but not for other appointments. Our disappointment
is God’s appointment. However, one thing God has promised is that he will be with us and
his presence is always a blessing in ways that we may not be able to anticipate.
Notwithstanding David’s disappointment in not being able to build the Temple, God
recommissioned David to be shepherd of the nation (2 Samuel 7:10). God will enable
David to provide a place for God’s people Israel, to grow them and enable them to have a
home of their own. They are no longer to be disturbed, and God will bless David.

The Davidic covenant is an unconditional covenant. Unconditional means that it is given to
David without any strings attached, without him having to do anything. God has given
unconditional covenants to Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), Abraham (Genesis 15:9-21), Phinehas
(Numbers 25:10-31) and David (2 Samuel 7:5-16). We have inherited the Davidic covenant
through the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) where it is a covenant of pure grace.
Jesus in the line of David has given us salvation unconditionally. All we have to do is to
accept the covenant of pure grace given to us through Jesus who came to save sinners
and reconcile us to God. If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and
Saviour, the season of Christmas is a very good occasion to do so. Hallelujah and God
bless as we usher in Christmas.

Pastor Boo Teong Khoo