David knew that it would be an honor to his name and would bring glory to his government to perform the work that he had purposed in his heart to do, but he was ready to submit his will to the will of God. The grateful resignation thus manifested is rarely seen, even among Christians. How often do those who have passed the strength of manhood cling to the hope of accomplishing some great work upon which their hearts are set, but which they are unfitted to perform! God's providence may speak to them, as did His prophet to David, declaring that the work which they so much desire is not committed to them. It is theirs to prepare the way for another to accomplish it. But instead of gratefully submitting to the divine direction, many fall back as 713 if slighted and rejected, feeling that if they cannot do the one thing which they desire to do, they will do nothing. Many cling with desperate energy to responsibilities which they are incapable of bearing, and vainly endeavor to accomplish a work for which they are insufficient, while that which they might do, lies neglected. And because of this lack of co-operation on their part the greater work is hindered or frustrated.

David vidste, at det ville kaste hæder og glans over hans navn og hans regeringstid, hvis han fik lov til at opføre den bygning, som han havde planlagt, men han var villig til at underkaste sig Guds vilje. Det er sjældent at møde et sådant sindelag, selv blandt kristne. Hvor har mennesker, som er kommet over deres bedste alder, ofte svært ved at opgive deres ønskedrømme, selv om de ikke egner sig til at løse de store opgaver, som de har sat deres hu til. Gud taler måske til dem gennem sit forsyn, ligesom han talte til David gennem sin profet, for at få dem til at forstå, at den opgave, som de absolut vil løse, ikke er betroet dem. De skal blot berede vejen for den, som skal gøre arbejdet. Men i stedet for villigt at underkaste sig Guds beslutning bliver mange fornærmede og indtager det standpunkt, at hvis de ikke kan få lov til at gøre det, som de ønsker, vil de overhovedet ikke have noget med sagen at gøre. Mange kæmper desperat for at beholde en stilling, som de ikke kan udfylde, og forsøger forgæves at løse opgaver, som de ikke magter, men nægter at gøre det arbejde, som passer til deres evner. På grund af deres mangel på samarbejdsvilje hindres eller mislykkes de store opgaver, som kunne have været gennemført.