“But who am I and what are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come from You and of Your own have we given You—for we are strangers before you and sojourners, as were our fathers. Our days on the earth are as a shadow and there is none abiding.”
I Chronicles 29:14-15
Remembering this will help us to always keep perspective and maintain a spirit of gratitude and surrender.
“But who am I and what are my people?”
That’s the question David asked in today’s Manna as he prepared to turn the reins of kingship over to his son, Solomon. Growing older has a way of causing us to spend more time reflecting on where we’ve been and what may happen after we’re gone. That’s why it’s important for us to stay focused and committed to the Lord as we leave a “Legacy of Faith.”
Although he’d sinned greatly against the Lord during the time of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba (II Sam. 11:1-27) and suffered from the wages of his sin (II Sam. 12:1-23), David’s “Songs of Confession and Repentance” in Ps. 32 & 51 still move us to this day. How thankful we should be for the Lord’s Grace and Mercy and for never giving up on us even when we stray (Lam. 3:21-23; Lk. 22:31-34, 54-62; Jn. 21:1-17).
And, how thankful we should be for Manna like today’s that reminds us of Who God is (I Chron. 29:11), how He blesses us (v.12) and the great privilege we have in serving Him (vv.13-25).
Although David couldn’t build the long-dreamed-of Temple because of his being “a bloody man of war” (I Chron. 28:3), he still did everything he could to ensure Solomon’s success in doing so (28:4-29:5). Such should always be the course-of-action of a loving father who loves the Lord with all of his heart.
What’s equally beautiful is the people’s response:
“And, who, then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” David asked (29:5b).
“Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribe of Israel and the captains of the thousands and hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly. . .Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect (Heb. ‘shalem’—‘peaceable, complete, whole, quiet, etc.’) heart they offered willingly (Heb. ‘nadab’—‘spontaneously, voluntarily, freely, etc.’) to the Lord—and David, the king, also rejoiced with great joy” (vv.6, 9).
Wasn’t this a wonderful response, dear Pilgrim?
Most assuredly it was.
And, in reality, that’s really how it should be today in our service to the Lord. We, too, should “willingly consecrate our lives. . .everything we are, have and hope to be. . .unto the Lord” (cf. Rom. 12:1-2)—for that’s what pleases Him and causes Him to rejoice. Amen and amen.
July 5, 2011
