Getting to Know . . . 2 Samuel! (7:18-29) A Prayer of Courage and Deep Theology!

What a great prayer of humility! David makes some critical points as he responds to the Lord’s words to the prophet Nathan:
1. “Who am I?” David rehearses the kindnesses of the Lord in his life. And the Lord has decreed the future of David’s house (vv. 18-19).
2. “You know Your servant!” David rests in God’s knowledge of him (v. 20).
3. “Why You have done what You have done . . .” David says, “For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing (v. 21).
4. “You are unique!” David acknowledges God’s greatness, His uniqueness (v. 22).
5. “We, Your people, are unique!” David says that Israel is the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself — to make a name for Himself and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods! (v. 23).
6. “You have become our God!” David declares that God has established His people Israel as His very own forever. And God has become their God. (v. 24).
7. “Do as You have promised, Lord!” David asks the Lord to keep forever His promise “so that your name will be great forever.” So that people will say, “The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!” (vv. 25-26).
8. “Bless Your people, Lord, as You fulfill Your promises!” David says that he has “found courage to pray this prayer” to the Lord. He acknowledges God as the Sovereign God. His covenant is trustworthy and His blessing on the house of Israel will remain forever (vv. 27-29).

Some takeaways for me:
1. You can learn a lot about yourself by listening to your own prayers! This prayer by King David is courageous and solidly theological.
2. Realize that a me-centered universe is so wrong and sinful. The Lord does what the Lord does for His glory — for the sake of His word and according to His will.
3. Don’t miss the uniqueness of God’s people. He has become the God of those He has redeemed.
4. He is a God who keeps His promises. And we can praise Him for His faithfulness.

What promises of God are you praying back to Him today?