Slices
Prepare
The old hymn urges us to count our blessings. List the blessings you have received in your life. It may take some time…
Bible passage
David’s prayer
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
‘Who am I, 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, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant – and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
20 ‘What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, 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, 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 for ever, and you, Lord, have become their God.
25 ‘And now, Lord God, keep for ever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great for ever. Then people will say, “The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!” And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight.
27 ‘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 pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is 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 for ever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed for ever.’
Explore
This passage feels very New Testament. David is amazed at the grace he has received. ‘Who am I?’ he asks (v 18). God has promised him and his family an eternal inheritance. God has opened the curtain and shown David the final piece in his salvation plan (v 26). In the future is another king: the King of kings whose kingdom is for ever.
David’s response is almost one of disbelief. How is this possible? Why would you do this? The answer is love. God’s gift is motivated by love. By the end of the passage David understands and accepts everything as truth. Praise pours out of him. His gratitude is evident for all to see.
I remember the first time in ministry someone gave our family a gift that blew us away. We needed a car and a friend called from a garage to tell us God had asked him to buy us one and it was ready to collect. We couldn’t believe it. Why would anyone do that? The answer was the love of God and the love of a friend. How much more, then, is our response to the grace we have received in Jesus! Why us? Who are we? We are the beloved of God and like David’s our gratitude should be boundless.
Respond
Write your own prayer of thanks for the grace you have received.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 31,32; Luke 1:1–38
Pray for Scripture Union
Several of our Local Mission Partners in Wales are looking for workers to partner with local schools and churches to Reveal Jesus in their context. Please pray that the right people would be forthcoming and that the Lord would provide workers at this time.
