Where do you pray to God? I mean, I know that we can pray to God from anywhere, but when you take the time to pray to God specifically, where does that happen? Whether this is a prayer closet from the movie War Room, or “the room where it happens” from the musical Hamilton, I think that many people have a space where prayer seems most natural.
After David (who was king of Israel at the time) received blessings from God through Nathan the prophet, we find this verse:
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?
2 Samuel 7:18 NIV
Now, I’m not exactly sure where David sat, but I can imagine him sitting at the entrance to the tent where the ark of the covenant was being was kept. Remember, during the reign of David, the ark wasn’t yet in the temple. (That temple was built by his son, Solomon.) However, if the tent that David had set up for the ark (see 2 Samuel 6:17) was set up like the original tabernacle, he – not being a priest or even a Levite – probably wouldn’t be allowed into the Holy of Holies.
Regardless, the verse above sounds like a pretty reasonable start to a prayer for someone who has just heard a message from God, especially one like what that David had just been given in 2 Samuel 7:4-16. David knows that he didn’t earn his throne, nor was he born into it. Still, God considered David to be worthy of leading His people (i.e., God’s people). David asks, “Who am I…?”, amazed by the discrepancy between who he is, and what God has blessed him with.
How about you? Do you ask this same question of God that David did? Do you ask God how in the world you merit all of the blessings that He has given you, from salvation and a place in His family, to all the things that He has given you on earth? If not, today is a good day for each of us to remind ourselves to pause and include this in our thankfulness to God. When we acknowledge that God’s gifts are just that – gifts – we can appreciate them even more, as compared to when we think that we are entitled to God’s grace and His blessings.
On the other hand, a lot of people are sure that they couldn’t do something big for God. They look at others (other fallen, imperfect human beings), and say “I can’t sing like that”, or “I don’t have that kind of money.” And, maybe they are right, at least, on their own power. Somehow, while we are looking around at all of the people that we’re not like, we tend to forget to look up, and remember that the God who created the endless heavens has a plan for us.
Do you think that you can’t play professional sports or land a rocket on the moon? You’re probably right! Still, with God’s help, there’s nothing in His plan that you can’t do.
Regardless of where you are with God right now, don’t underestimate the value of acknowledging God’s qualities and His promises. When we tell others about God’s love, mercy, grace, and holiness (along with how little we deserve those things), we glorify God. When we reiterate God’s promises, we restore hope to ourselves and to others, and we continue to glorify God. In addition, when we ask God for His blessings, we give Him a chance to be even further glorified in our lives.
So, don’t (just) say, “Why me?” Instead, say, “Thank you!”
From Sunday School Lesson for June 6, 2021
References:
- The Lookout, June 2021, © 2021 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Matthew Henry. 1706, via BibleGateway.com.
Those Who Sin Differently 