David’s Prayer

1 Chron. 17:16-27

David wanted to build a temple for the LORD. It was a noble desire but God promised that David’s offspring would build the temple. God promised to establish David’s throne forever (a messianic promise). In response, David went in and sat before the LORD. He prayed based on God’s promises.

David said, “What is my family that you have brought me thus far?” David was mindful of how God had led him from being a shepherd boy to a king. God blessed David and his family richly beyond imagination. His name would become famous in world history and most importantly God’s history. Who am I, LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? God has blessed me so much, more than I can understand. He led me out of my bondage to sin and called me to be a shepherd for college students. Then after forming a family, God brought me to Paraguay and Argentina. He established a new church for His glory. Then he led us back to the USA. And God is still leading us. Praise you, O Lord, for leading me and my family. 

David knew that it was according to God’s will and for God’s great name that God had done these things for him. God had chosen Israel and redeemed them. God also chose David and called him to be a godly king for his people. God promised to establish his house forever. David was awestruck and praised God for what he had done for him and for his people. God’s promises did not make David proud but more humble. His prayer is based on God’s promises. David boldly prayed: ““And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised…” It is important to pray according to God’s promises. God wants us to be bold in claiming his promises. 

Our family has chosen to pray based on Isaiah 54:2, which says, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” This chapter talks about a barren woman singing. How can a barren woman sing? It is only because of God’s promise to bless her and make her fruitful. God wants us to have great vision and hope to enlarge the place of our tent. He wants us to encompass all peoples of all nations. At the same time, we must keep our feet on the ground and serve the needy right near us. Yet, we should do all this with God’s heart and God’s world mission purpose. Then how can we enlarge our tent? We must stretch our curtains, lengthen our cords of prayer and strengthen our stakes in God’s word. Through prayer and God’s word, we can have greater vision. The rest of the chapter goes on to talk about our descendants taking over desolate cities. God promises to bless our descendants and make them victorious. This gives us great hope.