Scripture:
1 Chronicles 17:16-24 ESV
[16] Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? [17] And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God! [18] And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. [19] For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. [20] There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. [21] And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? [22] And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God. [23] And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, [24] and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you.
Observation:
David was reminded of how far the LORD had brought him. From a shepherd boy to the king of GOD’s chosen people, and why? Was David, someone who would have been noticed if GOD had not used him in a mighty way? GOD had brought him from the pasture to the Palace. As David sat here looking back he could see the huge distance that had been traveled in his life that he could have never done on his own. Seeing it through the eyes of the LORD it was no big deal, but to David, he knew he could have never gotten here by himself. As David reflected on what had happened in the history of Israel and GOD’s redemption plan for them. He saw that the path for his life was bigger than him. The throne of Israel was going to be established for many generations, and all because of GOD who saw something in David that he didn’t even see in himself. David looking at the magnitude of the plan knew it wasn’t about him. There was something much bigger going on here. GOD was writing HIS name through time and using David to do so. Of course, David and his family line would benefit. But this was about the LORD. Not only would the name Yahweh be heard throughout eternity, but David’s name would written in a book that would stand the test of time as well. Established forever. David’s throne would live on long after he was gone.
Application:
Have you ever been sitting down with GOD going over how far HE has brought you and thought…Man, I would have never thought I could be where I’m at. How did I even get here? It had to be his hand in your life. Here’s another question. Have you ever tried to accomplish something you thought was part of the plan only to find out that none of it was working, and you were getting nowhere? It’s GOD who establishes you HE is not only writing HIS name through time but HE wants to use your life to do it. Think about what you hear about yourself in the conversation with others…I never thought you would make it, or bro I remember where you came from. I never thought I would see you here. From the ghetto to the church house, from gangster to gatherer. From a mess to a message. GOD is establishing you. When people look at our lives the only explanation for how we got where we are at is GOD did that. I mean think about it if you are walking down the road and see a turtle on the top of a fence post you know he did not get there by himself. GOD’s plan for your life is to establish HIS name for eternity by putting you in places you could have never gotten on your own. I know because HE has done it to me. From homeless without hope to a faith-filled walk with the one who made me.
Prayer:
Father, all I can say is wow. I never saw this. In fact, as most of us probably were told I was told you couldn’t use a guy like me. But you have taken my mess and turned it into a message. You have taken my broken-down life and given me hope. Hope I never thought I would have. You have written such an amazing story, and as I look around me I know I am not the only one. There are stories all around me of your redemption. You are so amazing. It brings tears to my eyes seeing you move in the lives of those around me. You are doing things in their lives that only you could do. You are truly awesome. I pray our hearts stay submitted to you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.