2 Chronicles 1:4. At the beginning of Solomon's reign, we are reminded that David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and had it placed in the tent he had pitched for it.

Just a week ago, I had the reading from Chronicles about David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. Today I am reminded again that David did this. When I think about why God might be reminding me about David and the ark, I think it might be too assure me that God has a plan and, while His plan does not change, events in this world do, and so there will come a time when the things of God will become more permanent in this world.

David wanted to build a house for the ark in Jerusalem, but God told him no (through the prophet Nathan). So David obediently left the ark in the tent he had pitched for it. Now David's son, Solomon, is king, and God will tell Solomon to build the temple, a resting place for the ark and the place where God Himself will be present to the Israelites, and the world.

To David God said no, but to Solomon He says yes. Neither the tent nor the temple will last forever, though. God promised in 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 that He would raise up one of David's offspring and "He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever." So the real "house" that God is talking about is His Church, established by his Son. That is the permanent house of God, and that is our permanent home on earth. This wasn't going to happen for some time though, so while the Israelites were waiting, God gave them a much more permanent house for the ark than David's tent. He gave them the great temple, a place they would find "permanent" for many generations.

So while I wait for the truth, which I know is eternal, to become known and accepted; while I wait for the cleansing and strengthening of the Church on earth, I am given comfort that, like David, it is not time right now for this to happen, but it will happen. I can rely on God's promise of that. In the meantime, He very well may be preparing a solution that will feel more settled and permanent for generations to come.