First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, NC
16 East Fifth Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC   27870
252-537-4018,  office@fpcrr.com

2009 Advent Booklet, December 3, page 6

2 Samuel 7:18-29

Chapter 7 begins with God’s promise to David, “your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”  Then David responds with a prayer, reflected in verses 18 through 29.  He begins by asking God, “who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”

We believe that God has a vision that includes each one of us, and rarely do we understand our role in fulfilling his vision.  Just as David, we ask “who are we, that you have brought us this far?”  We need to accept the path that God has chosen for us, and walk that path to the best of our ability.

David then prays, “how great you are, O Sovereign Lord!  There is no one like you, and there is no God but you.”  We strive to achieve the level of faith David has in God.  Just as God walked with David on the battlefields and delivered him from his enemies, God also walks with us, helping us win our everyday battles.  We could do a better job putting our faith in God to help us make the right decisions.

In verse 26, David prays “so that your name will be great forever.”  David gives credit to God rather than taking credit himself for the good that has come to Israel during his reign.  When we are recognized for doing something good, we hope that we, too, can remain humble and give the credit to God.

David is not ashamed to show his faith in the Lord.  He may not understand why God is so strongly in his life, but recognizes this fact and openly demonstrates his faith and trust that God is in control.  Just as David, we need to recognize that God is in our lives and has found favor in us as well.  We need to do a better job glorifying God, and being a witness to the blessings he bestows upon us.

Bob and Lisa Patterson