8/26/2020 Wednesday Devotional
David’s Prayer (1 Chron 29:10-20)
“Two preachers’ wives sat mending their husbands’ pants. One said to the other, ‘My poor John, he is so discouraged in his church work. He said just the other day he was considering resigning. It seems that nothing goes right for him.’ The other replied, ‘Why, my husband was saying just the opposite. He is so enthused, it seems like he is closer to the Lord than ever before.’ A hushed silence fell as they continued to mend the trousers: ONE PATCHING THE KNEES AND THE OTHER THE SEAT.”
Background:
This is David’s final public prayer of thanksgiving to God. In response to the people’s freewill offering, David blesses God. He asserts that God is the source of riches and honor as everything ultimately belongs to God. David thanks God for the abundance He has given, which has allowed the people to provide for the temple. Finally, he petitions God to keep the people’s hearts directed toward Him and to give Solomon a faithful heart as he builds the temple.
Lessons to Learn:
- Each generation is faced with the task of confronting their world with the truth of Scripture in a way that speaks to the distinctive needs of its age.
- (11-13) The first part of this prayer ascribes to Yahweh the possession of everything in heaven and earth. His is the kingdom, and he is exalted as head over all (cf. 2 Chr 20:6). Wealth and honor come from him. He is ruler over all things, and in his hands are the strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
- David and the people had brought their gifts and had given generously. But they had only given back what had come from God’s hand.
- (15-16) In his very nature man is only a resident alien and a sojourner on earth. His days are like a shadow and without hope. Not even the wealth and security that had been granted to David would alter man’s lot (cf. Job 7:6; 8:9; Ps 144:4)
- David had given all his offerings willingly and with honest intent and had joyfully watched God’s people contribute willingly to him. (17)
- David’s prayer was that this desire to give willingly to the Lord in return for all his past favors should remain in their hearts forever and that God might keep their hearts loyal to him.(18).
- David’s special supplication was that the Lord himself would establish a perfect heart in both Israel and Solomon so that God’s commandments might be kept and the temple built. It is noteworthy that the keeping of the law is set alongside the building of the temple. These two were indissolubly bound together. A temple without wholehearted devotion to the law was an empty gesture. (19)
- David’s prayer remains a model of piety for worshipers in every age
Questions for Reflection
1. How can a person’s family roots lead to salvation?
2. What does 1 Chronicles teach about the nature and practice of worship?
3. What does God expect of those who lead congregational worship?
4. What can God’s people depend on in times of discouragement?
5. What does 1 Chronicles teach about stewardship?