“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?” (2 Samuel 7:18)
It’s those moments in time … you know what I’m talking about. Those rare moments to yourself … moments to just let your mind gravitate to things, people, events … of real meaning!
This is what David, the king of Israel, was doing in 2 Samuel chapter 7. Considering all God had done for him, David believed that God should have a better place than a tent for the Ark to be located, and in all good conscience, he wanted to build it.
The prophet Nathan agreed and encouraged David to, “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee” (v3). But Nathan was mistaken (v4).
Here we find a very interesting and revealing lesson of faith, the desire to honor God, and how to accept an answer from God that was not expected.
- The story reveals the triumph of Nathan and David in their ready submission to the declared will of God.
- The prophet unhesitatingly delivered the Lord’s message, even though it contradicted his own expressed opinion.
- David immediately acquiesced in the will of God and worshiped.
- The rest of the message from God was so encouraging, uplifting, and so promising that David went in, sat down before the Lord, and spoke the words of our text.
- Jehovah reminded David of all that He had done for him and declared His intention of making David’s reign permanent … and David marvels over God’s sovereign grace and goodness!
- You see … God has once again shown David His divine care, planning, and purpose for his own life and those of his descendants … from a shepherd boy to king of a mighty nation.
David found himself in such a blessed conversation with God that he was filled with such love, care, and gratitude almost beyond his ability to express.
And all David could say, just as a child might say to their parent, “What more can David say to you?” (v.20) “Who am I?” and “There Is no God beside You!” God has his attention, his heart, and his love!
Does the Lord have our attention, our heart, and our love? Does the accumulation of all that He does for us … all that He blesses each of us with … all that He promises to do bring us to the place where we just have to kneel down in total reverence, and like David exclaim with a tremor in our voice, tears running down our face …” There is no God beside You!”
If we will simply pause, and take the time to reflect on this recorded conversation … can we not correctly draw the conclusion that our God never tires of giving us the reassurance … the hope … and confidence that in the midst of many a conflict, many a doubt … as the “sheep of His pasture” we will never grow weary hearing His calming perfect Word!
Just as David spoke so highly and so graciously of the Lord’s kindness and benevolence provided to him, we too have so much to consider and be amazed that God could deal with us as He does! Do we express to Him our thanks … and often?
Here then is still the major task for prayer today: to take God’s promises and pray He will bring them to pass. David was the example of the old hymn, ‘Standing On The Promises of God.’
The promise of Christ is for all; if the Lord God be ours, what more can we ask, or think of? (Eph 3:20). Let us be satisfied with what He has done for us.
What can we say more for ourselves in our prayers than what God has said for us in His promises … the opportunity for each of us and our descendants to spend eternity with Him in His eternal Kingdom.
The final King of David’s dynasty has come! His name is Jesus Christ. He lived, died, was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, and even now “sits on the right hand of God on His throne” … awaiting the words from the Father to come back one last time … to “judge the world in righteousness” and justice!
And that’s a promise.
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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