In the book of 1st Chronicles we find the prayer of David, a man whom power, prestige, fame, wealth, countless success on the battlefield and his peoples' adoration for their king did not corrupt when it came to his relationship with his God. In chapter 29 we read that he was a leader who lead by example. Today when our leaders mostly practice "Do as I say, don't do as I do," it is refreshing to see David led by example. Don't get me wrong, David was a man with many shortcomings, but when it came to his relationship with God, he knew exactly who he was and who his God was. David never forgot that he was the forgotten shepherd boy, whom God brought out of obscurity and ignominy, and made him one of the greatest kings of Israel who united the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Here is his prayer of praise from 1 Chronicles 29:10-20,
10 Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly:
“O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
16 “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
18 “O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. 19 Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Give praise to the Lord your God!” And the entire assembly praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and knelt before the Lord and the king.May God's Word be a lamp unto our feet.
Elevation Worship - I will look up
