2
Samuel chapter 7 reminds us that you cannot out give God. It is
important to note that this follows immediately after King David
humbled himself in unrestrained praise to God. After praise comes
peace and a desire to honor God through our actions. The chapter
begins, “After
the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest
from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here
I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a
tent’“.
David acknowledged God as his provider. Gratitude is an awesome
motivator! God answered David through the prophet Nathan. Basically
God says, “You are going to build a house for Me? No, I will build
you a house that will be established forever!” “I
took you from the pasture… to be ruler over my people Israel. I
have been with you wherever you have gone… I will also give you
rest from all your enemies… the Lord himself will establish a house
for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I
will raise up your offspring to succeed you.” God
refers to Solomon, but prophetically Jesus will come through the line
of David to fulfill the promise. “I
will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for
My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I
will be his father, and he will be my son“.
David’s
reaction gives us an insight into his heart and creates a model for
our own prayer. “Who
am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought
me this far? What more can David say to you? For you know your
servant…How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like
you, and there is no God but you“.
I have heard people say that they didn’t feel like their prayers
were being heard. When we begin with praise, somehow the walls break
down. David even reminds himself of God’s faithfulness, “O
Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have
promised these good things to your servant“.
After the praise comes the petition. David continues, “Keep
forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his
house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever…
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“.
Some
of us have no problem with being humble, in fact we feel down right
unworthy! Romans 8:17 makes it clear we are not worthy, but Jesus
Christ is. By believing the promise of salvation, we too inherit
forgiveness and access to God. “The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ“.
Hebrews 13:15 calls our praise “the
fruit of the lips”
offered up to God. What a cool picture. Are you in need of rest
today? Begin with unrestrained praise to God Almighty. God is able
to do is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or
think!