Look How Far We've Come
Opening Prayer
O Lord, how wonderful it is that You love me so much and have made me Your child in Christ Jesus!
Read 2 SAMUEL 7:18-29
[18] Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? [19] And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD? [20] “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. [21] For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. [22] “How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. [23] And who is like your people Israel-the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? [24] You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. [25] “And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, [26] so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you. [27] “O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. [28] O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. [29] Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What motives are behind David's prayer here (25)?In v. 18, I see the humility of the one described as a man after God’s own heart. I see something of the shepherd boy, the young giant-killer, and the fugitive on the run from a crazy king. I see the young man who loved God and followed him through it all. Years later, David is in awe, utterly humbled by God’s promise to him and the people. He may have a king’s finery, the accolades of battle, but in the presence of the Lord he knows who the real King is, and he knows that his King is good. David knows he has done nothing to deserve the promise of a dynasty, his role among God’s people or his place in human history. In the end all David can do is accept God’s promise, ask for blessing and worship him. That’s a great example for each of us, isn’t it?
When did you last reflect on your personal journey with God and on the journey with God that your family and community are on? Are you aware of his promises? What is your response to all that God is doing in and around you?
Apply
See how far you’ve come. Thank God for his love every step of the way. Recall his promises for the future.
Closing prayer
Lord God, kind and gracious Savior, I can only bow in thanks and worship for all You are and all You have done for me.
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