Wednesday 3 April, 2013

18 Then King David went into the holy tent. He sat down in front of the Lord. He said, “Lord and King, who am I? My family isn’t important. So why have you brought me this far? 19 I would have thought that you had already done more than enough for me. But now, Lord and King, you have also spoken about what is going to happen to my royal house in days to come. Lord and King, is this your usual way of dealing with people? 20 “What more can I say to you? Lord and King, you know all about me. 21 You have done a wonderful thing. You have made it known to me. You have done it because that’s what you said you would do. It’s exactly what you wanted to do for me. 22 “Lord and King, how great you are! There isn’t anyone like you. There isn’t any God but you. We have heard about it with our own ears. 23 “Who is like your people Israel? God, we are the one nation on earth you have saved. You have set us free for yourself. Your name has become famous. You have done great and wonderful things. You have driven out nations and their gods to make room for your people. You saved us when you set us free from Egypt. 24 You made Israel your very own people forever. Lord, you have become our God. 25 “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made to me and my royal house. Do exactly as you promised. 26 Then your name will be honored forever. People will say, ‘The Lord rules over all. He is God over Israel.’ My royal house will be made secure in your sight. 27 “Lord who rules over all, you are the God of Israel. Here’s what you have shown me. You told me, ‘I will build you a royal house.’ So I can boldly offer this prayer to you. 28 Lord and King, you are God! Your words can be trusted. You have promised many good things to me. 29 “Now please bless my royal house. Then it will continue forever in your sight. Lord and King, you have spoken. Because you have given my royal house your blessing, it will be blessed forever.”

David’s prayer starts humbled and overwhelmed by God’s goodness. He pours out his heart. He uses the term Sovereign Lord seven times, remembering who it is that is in control. Praise and adoration follow.

Then he reminds God to keep his promise. He is confident repeating the words The Lord has said as a prayer

This reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught the disciples to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done”. Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (TNIV)  For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Our “Amen” is us prayerfully agreeing with

God’s word. This is what David is doing. When we know his word and his promises we can confidently pray.

1 John 5:13 (MSG)   My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve

asked for is as good as ours.

Written by Lyndall Gourlay