"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: "Who am I, O Lord God?
And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?"
1 Chronicles 17:16
David was called a man after God's own heart. We know of his heroics as a young man. We know of his traumatic experiences while being chased like a dog. We know of his failings as an adult. He was by no one's standard a perfect man, but he knew that better than any one. One of the things that drew him close to God was his honesty with God and with himself. He understood failure, but he also understood repentance. He never took God's great grace for granted. Instead, he cherished the experience of it.
You would almost expect this passage to be following a time of victory in battle. Maybe he had just conquered once again his arch enemies the Philistines. You can almost hear David saying this after escaping from the hand of Saul. The truth is that this passage was written after God told David no. David greatly desired to build a temple for God. He didn't think it was right that he lived in a beautiful palace and that God had to dwell in a tent. The tabernacle was dated and temporary. God needed a permanent structure. At first Nathan told him to get started right away. Just from reading about David I am sure that the plans were already in his head if not already on paper. However, God sent Nathan back to David to tell him that he wasn't the one chose by God to build the temple. It would be his son Solomon that would have that privilege. With that information David took the time to reflect on who God was and who he was. With an understanding of God's grace and evident hand of blessing in mind, David replied with the above passage.
Have you taken time lately to just consider how far God has brought you? Where would you be right now if it were not for His presence in your life? I realize that none of us can answer that question, but to even think of it brings chills to many of us. Have you looked around at your family and thanked God for the mercy and grace that He has shown? David could not fathom that God loved him so much (Who am I?), and I understand how he feels. Why God chose to love me and call me His child, I will never know. I think of the Scripture that says, "We are all as an unclean thing," and yet God in His love has washed us white as snow. Thank God for bringing us this far.
May you be enraptured with the love and grace of God today!
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