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30th June
2 Samuel 7:17-29. David’s prayer in response to Nathan’s
revelation
- After many years of fighting, Israel was at last at peace (7:1). No
power dared attack them as long as David was king. David had wondered if he
should build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. God’s message
came through Nathan that it was to be David’s son who would do
this—David did not have to take on this responsibility.
- So David turned to prayer, and as we read this prayer, we get clues as
to the nature of prayer.
- 7:18-21
- David came humbly before God, thanking him for the peace and prosperity
the country was now enjoying, and for the promise that David’s
descendants would rule the country. All this was due to God’s
goodness.
- 7:22-24
- He then turned to praise God, and in doing so, he remembered the way in
which God had guided and protected the Jewish people, especially from the
time of the Exodus onwards.
- 7:25-29
- At first sight these verses look like a plea to God to keep his
promises; but they are much more an expression of trust. David trusted God
to keep his promises because he knew that all this was not for human gain,
but for God’s glory, and for a witness that the Lord Almighty is God
over Israel!
- What David was essentially doing in this prayer was thanking God,
reminding himself of God’s nature and purposes and expressing his
trust that God’s will would be done.
- To consider
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- People are sometimes afraid to thank God when things are going well, in
case soon afterwards things start to go wrong. In our prayers, let us thank
God without reservation for the good things we experience.
- When we pray, it is good to remind ourselves of God’s goodness
and purpose as we have experienced it. That will help us to increase our
trust in him and to get more in tune with his will.
- Prayer
- Father, we pray that you will open our eyes to all that you have done
for us and for our world, that we may truly thank and praise you, and truly
become channels of your peace and power; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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