Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
2 20 2026
When God Is Silent.
How cruel to have ever dreamed?
Mis-Streps…Have you ever thought… Why couldn’t I just trip on a rug or a single step instead of falling down the whole flight… or even falling from the stars?
I think of King David, who brought his dream before the Lord—and heard the answer: No.
When you’re trying to live for Him, and you hear that word… or see that door close… what does that do to your faith?
It’s interesting that David immediately sought wise counsel. How often do I just move forward because it’s a good thing I’m doing, dreaming, or aspiring to? David wanted to do something great for the Lord (2 Samuel 7:2–3). The prophet Nathan initially approved his request to build a temple. Even Moses had spoken of such a place in Deuteronomy 12:5. David had resolved to build that house. Can you imagine the honor of carrying that dream—and believing you had the commission?
But in the night, God gave David a hard answer: No.
Nathan had said yes. It seemed right. It would bless the Lord. And yet this word ended the matter.
The hope of a lifetime died.
David was deeply hurt and didn’t understand why God wouldn’t let him proceed. He had to wait on the answer. How good are we at that? Me? Not so great. I would have been out cutting timber—because it was for God. It was a good thing. What is there to ask? Are you with me?
Later, we learn why (1 Chronicles 22:7–8): David had too much blood on his hands. He was unfit to perform the work he longed to do.
So what good was it to hope?
I was reading a piece by Greg Morse who asked the question: Are failed desires worth having? He said David’s story answers yes, for two reasons.
First, failed desires present an opportunity for the Lord to magnify His steadfast love. God denied David’s request—but kept the blessing in David’s line through his son, Solomon. In 2 Samuel 7:11–16, God tells David, “The Lord will make you a house… Your throne shall be established forever.”
Five words stopped me in my tracks: “David is silenced into surrender.”
This is our God. He denies our beautiful dream—even what appears to be a clear opportunity to bless Him—but then He takes that very denial and beautifully blesses us. He silences us into surrender.
God tells David He will build him a house—reminding him that he is more to God than what he produces. Listen deeply: In Christ, we could not be more loved—not even if we had converted a continent.
Second, such noble purposes—heart-prompted endeavors—please the Lord, even when they fail.
In 1 Kings 8:17–18, Solomon says:
“Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord…
You did well, that it was in your heart.”
Please ponder that. Listen in the deepest recesses of your soul to what the Spirit may be revealing.
If we could apply this balm to our unsuccessful Kingdom endeavors—our attempts to love our neighbor, to help the widow, to support the missionary, to pray for the lost and hurting. “You did well that it was in your heart.”
Part of what I see is this: God does not miss a tear. He doesn’t forget a prayer. He does not overlook the unction in your heart to serve. He misses nothing. More than that, He says, Well done… it was in your heart.
He is not speaking of a passing wish. Faith requires movement. Love is a verb. We must be intentional about stepping toward what we believe is good and holy. David was already laying plans in his mind for how he would glorify God.
Some spend their lives building wealth or chasing games and accolades. But you have dreamed and strategized to plant Christ’s flag in your city, your home, your neighborhood. And though you may have fallen short—“You did well that it was in your heart.” God knows. He knows.
In 1 Chronicles 29:2, David reports what became of his ambition:
“I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able… ”He did not give up; he gave all he could. He did not refuse to do much because he could not do it all. That brings tears to my eyes…
God’s lovingkindness, His grace, and even the fact that He placed such dreams in our hearts.
F.B. Meyer wrote, “If you cannot have what you hoped, do not sit down in despair… If you may not build, you may gather materials for him that shall. If you may not go down the mine, you can hold the ropes.”
David redirected his resolve to the next generation. Almost like the best supporting actor—helping someone else achieve what he himself could not. Isn’t that the true test of the purity of our pursuits? That we can help others fulfill the very dream denied to us?
David couldn’t build the house. But he did all he could for Solomon.
I didn’t intend to go here today, but my spirit says… to make you aware, and I am being obedient. But my daughter is preparing for two mission trips—one to Jamaica and one to Alaska. I told her it was ambitious. She said, “I believe the Lord has called me to this, and He will finance what He calls me to do.” Additionally, she was in urgent care yesterday with a sore throat, due to a cold and upper respiratory infection. Keep her in your prayers; she is scheduled to leave on the first Mission Trip on 2/27.
And I thought: if you cannot go, be like David. He raised what he could to support the one who would. If you can’t be the lead pastor, hold up the arms of the man God appoints. If you never marry, serve families as they raise children in the Lord.
Dream big dreams for His glory. Labor with a whole heart. And when He tells you No
, gather materials anyway for someone who can.
And know this: whatever you bring, do not hang your head because you cannot go.
God is well pleased with what was in your heart.
If God moves your heart, here is a link to an upcoming mission tripbelow.
Alaska: https://seumissions.managedmissions.com/MyTrip/danaepiller3
I host an Online Discovering Jesus class again on Tuesday night through March 17th
at 7pm – 8:30 ONLINE for people of all ages. Here is your link to join us on Tuesday.
If you desire to invite someone send them this email and just have them join us. https://meet.google.com/cfm-udos-iks
Do you know someone who needs to hear this? Pass this lesson and future devotions to someone, with this Signup link: http://eepurl.com/i_nlb2 My website to view past devotions is https://fearlesslycourageous.com
Phil Driscoll
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