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"Promise-Keeper" by Michael Paugh
2 Samuel 7:18 Then David went in, sat before Adonai and said, “Who am I, Adonai Elohim; and what is my family, that has caused you to bring me this far? 19 Yet in your view, Adonai Elohim, even this was too small a thing; so you have even said that your servant’s dynasty will continue on into the distant future. This is [indeed] a teaching for a man, Adonai Elohim — 20 what more can David say to you? For you know your servant intimately, Adonai Elohim. 21 It is for the sake of your word and in accordance with your own heart that you have done all this greatness and revealed it to your servant. 22 Therefore, you are great, Adonai, God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you — everything we have heard confirms that. 23 Who can be compared with your people, with Isra’el? What other nation on earth did God set out to redeem and make into a people for himself? You made yourself a reputation by doing for your land things that even for you are great and terrifying, for the sake of your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt and from other nations and from their gods. 24 You set up your people for yourself as your people forever; and you, Adonai, became their God. 25 So now, Adonai, God, establish forever the word you have spoken to your servant and his house; do what you have promised. 26 May your name be magnified forever, so that it will be said, ‘Adonai-Tzva’ot is God over Isra’el, and the dynasty of your servant David will be set up in your presence.’ 27 You, Adonai-Tzva’ot, God of Isra’el, have disclosed to your servant, ‘I will build you a house.’ This is why your servant has the courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Now, Adonai Elohim, you alone are God; your words are truth; and you have made this wonderful promise to your servant. 29 So may it please you to bless the family of your servant and thereby cause it to continue forever in your presence. For you, Adonai Elohim, have said it. May your servant’s family be blessed forever by your blessing.”
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The first part of 2 Samuel 7 is God’s response to David’s request to build a house of worship for the Lord. In the second half, we find David’s response to God, who had answered David’s request with “No.” David’s response is a powerful lesson for us all.
First, we see David displaying incredible humility before God. We see this in the question, “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (v. 18). David referred to himself as God’s “servant.” He also thanked God for His divine favor toward him (vv. 19-21).
Next, David praised God for what God had done in the past, especially God’s redemption of the people from bondage during the exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan, and in the covenant relationship whereby Israel became God’s people and God their heavenly Father.
If we keep God at the center of our prayers, God is and will be our Promise-Keeper. Through good and bad times, when we come to Him in humility, seeking a close relationship and yielding to His control in our lives, He will be faithful.
-------First, we see David displaying incredible humility before God. We see this in the question, “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (v. 18). David referred to himself as God’s “servant.” He also thanked God for His divine favor toward him (vv. 19-21).
Next, David praised God for what God had done in the past, especially God’s redemption of the people from bondage during the exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan, and in the covenant relationship whereby Israel became God’s people and God their heavenly Father.
If we keep God at the center of our prayers, God is and will be our Promise-Keeper. Through good and bad times, when we come to Him in humility, seeking a close relationship and yielding to His control in our lives, He will be faithful.
Hymn for Today: "I Know God's Promise Is True" by Lelia N. Morris
1. For God so loved this sinful world,
His Son He freely gave,
That whosoever would believe
Eternal life should have.
Refrain:
’Tis true, oh, yes, ’tis true,
God’s wonderful promise is true;
For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,
And I know God’s promise is true.
2. I was a wayward, wand’ring child,
A slave to sin and fear,
Until this blessed promise fell
Like music on my ear.
Refrain:
’Tis true, oh, yes, ’tis true,
God’s wonderful promise is true;
For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,
And I know God’s promise is true.
3. The “whosoever” of the Lord,
I trusted was for me,
I took Him at His gracious word;
From sin He set me free.
Refrain:
’Tis true, oh, yes, ’tis true,
God’s wonderful promise is true;
For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,
And I know God’s promise is true.
4. Eternal life, begun below,
Now fills my heart and soul;
I’ll sing His praise forevermore
Who has redeemed my soul.
Refrain:
’Tis true, oh, yes, ’tis true,
God’s wonderful promise is true;
For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,
And I know God’s promise is true.
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Thought of the Day: Joshua 21:43 (45) Not one good thing that Adonai had spoken of to the household of Isra’el failed to happen; it all took place.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Saint Lucia.-------
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