In 2 Samuel 7, we find a blink-and-you-miss-it moment of teachability. Up to this point, David has been locked in a ferocious war to establish his kingship and is finally settling in Jerusalem in victory. He’s finally the king. He’s finally entered the city. He’s finally brought the ark (after one or two mishaps) back to Jerusalem. Basically, David can finally breathe a little.
But something doesn’t feel quite right, and he calls in Nathan to talk about it. Nathan was a prophet and an advisor to David throughout his rule. We don’t know a lot about Nathan personally. As an advisor, all his mentions in scripture are more concerning what role he plays in David’s story. Much later, he would be the prophet who would take David to task for the murder of Uriah (which, who wants that job?). Being a prophet and advisor to the king was a fine line to walk, but Nathan was there with David, faithfully living out what God called him to do.
So David calls Nathan in and tells him the problem to get his advice: ‘“Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace,[a] but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”’ (2 Samuel 7:2-3)
So far so good. Nathan is giving the ok for David’s project and the way ahead seems clear. But there’s a surprise waiting for Nathan later on. That night, God speaks to Nathan at length, outlining that he actually David isn’t going to be the one to build a house for him and what plans he has for David and his descendents.
Now, this right here, is where Nathan has a moment where he absolutely shines.
Ego’s are fragile things. Whether we’re willing to admit it or not, we’re absolutely obsessed with looking good. Whether it’s looks, strength, intellect, or power, we want people to look at us and be impressed by what they see. You probably know right now as you’re reading this what you’re thing is and how much it means to you.
Now if I were Nathan, I would be pretty pleased with the fact that God was using me to guide the king. That’s pretty impressive. Impressive enough that I would definitely start blurring the lines between God’s greatness and my own prowess. So if I had just told the king with so much confidence to go ahead because God was with him, I would not be particularly enthused about God telling me I actually needed to tell the king something else entirely.
So often we’re tempted to believe that course correction is a bad look. That altering what we’re doing based on new information will somehow make us look weak. Nothing could be further from the truth. We don’t look foolish for changing course. Just the opposite, actually. Having a teachable attitude and accepting course correction doesn’t necessarily mean we were being foolish before. It means we’re being wise now.
Nathan had a choice to make after God spoke to him. Would he course correct and deliver the message as God gave it even if it meant stepping back from his own ego? Or would he alter the message to make himself look better or even withhold the whole thing to keep the confident delivery of his first proclamation intact?
Fortunately for David and everyone else involved, Nathan was faithful to God’s guidance. He went back to David and gave the message word for word, no ego boosts, no protection of his pride. And what followed was an outpouring of worship from David that glorified and blessed God.
Now, was God still able to get his message to David even if Nathan had disobeyed? Absolutely. But what a loss that would have been to Nathan. This is not about whether or not God was going to speak to David. That was never in question. The point here is that Nathan had a choice between ego and obedience and chose correctly.
It’s no surprise, but we all have that same choice. From the moment our feet hit the floor to the moment our head hits the pillow we are faced with that choice. Will we be teachable, or egotistical? Will we accept course correction, or plow ahead our own way? God is engaging with us so readily, shaping us, helping us, but we have to be willing to be guided. There’s no room for our stubbornness in following God. Trust me, I’ve tried multiple times.
God is going to do what he’s planning to do no matter what, but our egos and need to be perceived well by those around us can hamper our involvement. Do we want to be seen as impressive by man? Or as faithful by God? God’s not slowed down by our ego. He’s moving regardless. The question is not whether or not God will carry out his will, it’s whether or not you will participate in it.
So Christian, take a lesson from Nathan, and accept course correction when it appears with grace and humility. God can take you so much farther than your ego ever could.
Let’s find some joy,
A
Avalon Robinson Author 