The House That Built Him Back

In 2019, retired carpenter George Hammond of Tupelo, Mississippi, announced to his children that he wanted to build them something — a family gathering hall on the back of his property, a place where Thanksgivings and birthdays would happen for generations. He drew up plans, priced lumber, and started clearing the lot.

But George's children had other ideas. That fall, while he was visiting his sister in Memphis, his four kids and eleven grandchildren gutted his outdated kitchen, replaced the sagging porch, and restored the old farmhouse he had neglected for years while pouring himself into everyone else's projects. When George pulled into the driveway and saw the new roof gleaming in the autumn sun, he sat in his truck and wept.

He wanted to build something for his family. His family built something for him instead.

This is exactly what happens in 2 Samuel 7. David looks at his cedar palace, then at God's humble tent, and declares, "I will build a house for the Lord." But through the prophet Nathan, the Almighty reverses the plan entirely. "I will establish a house for you," God tells David — not a structure of stone and timber, but a dynasty, a lineage, a kingdom that will endure forever.

David wanted to do something grand for God. God had already planned something far grander for David. The Most High does not need our constructions. He is in the business of building us — our families, our futures, our forever.