A Closer Walk
A CLOSER WALK
Greg Worthen
Ancient Israelite King David, out of his love for the Lord God Jehovah and gratitude to Him for all He had done for Israel and for David personally, determined to build a temple in Jerusalem where all Israel could come and worship the Lord their God. But God, using the mouth of the prophet Nathan, told King David he would not be the one to build a temple for the Lord. In fact, it would be David's son Solomon who would be the one to accomplish this. So David began to assemble the materials which would be used in the construction. Upon completion of this undertaking, David assembled the entire nation together to celebrate all they had done. David addresses the Israelites and at the end of his speech gives a prayer of offering over the materials and the people. This prayer may be the most beautiful offertory prayer ever uttered, and it can be found in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19.
“Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee,” 1 Chronicles 29:12-14 NASB.
David proclaims that both riches and honor come from Almighty God. He states that the Lord God rules over all. Indeed, He rules over all things and all peoples. Further, God has power and might and David says that God is able to make people great and to strengthen everyone. Then he thanks the Lord God Almighty for enabling the Israelite nation, as well as David himself, to offer all these materials for the construction of their future temple. Then he questions: “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?” David's questions are the same questions mankind has asked for generations upon generations. Who am I that the Lord should even take notice of me? Why does Almighty God pour out His grace on me? Who are my people that the Lord should even take notice of them? Why does He shower His grace on my country?
By asking the questions, who am I and who are my people, David acknowledges that neither he nor the Israelites deserve this kindness. In addition, David understands that all they have offered came from the hand of God. He states clearly that all things come from God, and from God's hand they have given back to Him.
It is the same with us. All we have comes from the hand of God. Think about it. Why was I born now instead of a hundred years ago, or a hundred years in the future? Why was I born in the USA instead of some other country? Why was I born into my family instead of a different family? A lot went into bringing us to the place we are right now. More than we may ever realize. But this is what our God chose for us. Each of us. And hopefully our hearts overflow with gratitude for all He has done for us, with us, and through us.
“Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?”