Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: "Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God."
--1 Chronicles 17:16-17a (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 14, 2013 of Psalm 119:89-96; Colossians 3:5-4:1; 1 Chronicles 17:16-20.
Some find fault with God for putting thorns on roses. Others thank and praise Him for putting roses on thorns. David would be counted among the latter, especially in light of his prayer of praise that begins with today's focus verses. David had the grand plan to build God a permanent house after moving the Ark of the Covenant and setting it up in the Tabernacle tent in Jerusalem. God had just given him a new home so he thought the least he could do was to return the favor. But God, through Nathan the prophet, said No, that would not be for David to accomplish but for his son who follows him. (And Indeed Solomon did build a wonderful Temple for God.) This must have been a huge letdown for David, but rather than mope or wallow in disappointment and self-pity, he humbled himself before the Lord there in the Tabernacle, thanking God for all He had done for him so far and marveling at what God promised for the future.
The opening to his prayer bears a strong resemblance to lines in two of David's psalms. In one he asks God, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4a.) And in the second he poses the question, "Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?" (Psalm 144:3a.) David asks, "What am I to You, Lord, a mere man, that You would consider me so important You would show all these kindnesses to me, that You love me so much You so richly bless me?" This great king and mighty warrior, leader of a powerful army and ruler of an entire nation, David knew he was still just a man. So he bowed down before God, lost in awe and wonder at all He had done, realizing that even though all this was tremendous and great to David, it was but a very small feat to God, the Creator of all.
David modeled for all believers just what the proper response should be when God's will is revealed to us. It was God's will that Solomon build the first Temple, not David. Rather than sulk and feel rejected that his son would receive the privilege he sought for himself, he instead showed gratitude for what he had received and rejoiced in the promise of future blessings for his descendants. We need to think of this the next time we see someone else get what we asked God for. Rather than pout, we need to thank God for all our blessings and rejoice in the other person's good fortune. Rather than blame God for the thorns, we need to thank Him for the roses. For this too is God's will and Jesus' command to us, to truly love one another. Amen.
Father God, too many times we only see the bad things that happen to us, taking all the good for granted. Please forgive us when we fail to acknowledge and rejoice in our blessings, focusing too much on the setbacks. We need You, Lord. We need Your blessings. In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
The opening to his prayer bears a strong resemblance to lines in two of David's psalms. In one he asks God, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4a.) And in the second he poses the question, "Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?" (Psalm 144:3a.) David asks, "What am I to You, Lord, a mere man, that You would consider me so important You would show all these kindnesses to me, that You love me so much You so richly bless me?" This great king and mighty warrior, leader of a powerful army and ruler of an entire nation, David knew he was still just a man. So he bowed down before God, lost in awe and wonder at all He had done, realizing that even though all this was tremendous and great to David, it was but a very small feat to God, the Creator of all.
David modeled for all believers just what the proper response should be when God's will is revealed to us. It was God's will that Solomon build the first Temple, not David. Rather than sulk and feel rejected that his son would receive the privilege he sought for himself, he instead showed gratitude for what he had received and rejoiced in the promise of future blessings for his descendants. We need to think of this the next time we see someone else get what we asked God for. Rather than pout, we need to thank God for all our blessings and rejoice in the other person's good fortune. Rather than blame God for the thorns, we need to thank Him for the roses. For this too is God's will and Jesus' command to us, to truly love one another. Amen.
Father God, too many times we only see the bad things that happen to us, taking all the good for granted. Please forgive us when we fail to acknowledge and rejoice in our blessings, focusing too much on the setbacks. We need You, Lord. We need Your blessings. In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
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