2Samuel 7:18
The Chapter we have read is a Messianic Chapter. That is. It points to the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed all Scriptures point to Jesus Christ. But in this chapter, there is a clarity in which Jesus Christ is referred to. Further, this Chapter also outlines God’s covenant which he made with David. So if you look at the heading in this Chapter, it it titled The LORD’S Covenant with David. What is this Covenant? It is the covenant that God will establish the kingdom and throne of David forever. So if you read the verse 8-17, that covenant is detailed out. Now in it’s immediate fulfillment, that covenant pointed to Solomon. But in it’s prophetic and future fulfillment as it was spoken, it is a covenant that eventually found it’s fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ (vv.12-16). You see the nature of this covenant? It is an everlasting covenant: “I will establish the throne of his Kingdom forever (v.13b), “Your Kingdom shall be established forever” (v.16b). Beautifully Matthew opened his gospel and pointed us to the fulfillment of this covenant in the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).
Now there is a lot going on in this Chapter, but this morning I want to limit myself to the subject in verse 18, but obviously we will still consider the broader context of the Chapter. The verses 18-29 is a Prayer of Gratitude where David responded or prayed in Gratitude to all what God has promised him (vv.18-29). You will notice particularly the verse 27 telling us it is prayer. Following after the text therefore, this morning, I want us to consider for a title, A Prayer of Gratitude. As a church, we have a lot to thank God for. We have celebrated our three years anniversary with various activities and today we want to express our gratitude by learning from David’s prayer. As individuals also, I believe we have a lot to thank God for. Perhaps you may be thinking you don’t have anything to be grateful for. But as you examine your life, as you take stock of your life, you will indeed be grateful.
There are three broad things I want us to consider in this sermon: Posture In Prayer (The manner we pray), Promises Of God In Prayer (The content of prayer) and Praises Of God In Prayer (How we show our gratitude).
Firstly, let’s attempt to define what prayer is. I believe we all know what prayer is so this will be a reminder
Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men.8 But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,9 by the help of the Spirit,10 according to his will;11 with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue. (LBCF1689 22:3)
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A 98)
Posture Of Prayer
Look at how David begun his prayer: v.18: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” These words points us to the humility of David in appreciation of what God has done for him. He looks at his life, his past and what God has made him and he is grateful. “Who am I?” These are very important words. David acknowledges his unworthiness in all he has received from God. You and I can learn a lesson from here. There is nothing in us that warrants God’s blessings. We need to approach God in prayer with all humility. Nowadays there are all kinds of things going on out there in the name of prayer which is no prayer at all. If you read Genesis 32:9-10, there is a similair prayer Jacob prayed to God when he was fleeing from his Uncle Laban and came face to face with Esau.
And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.
Why humility in prayer? Because we are approaching a Sovereign and mighty God. There is something to note in these words in the verse 18.
(i) Access to God: “Then King David went in and sat before the LORD…” This is a picture of David having access to God. He can approach God. God is not far from him. He can commune with him.
(ii) God is the Object of our prayer: “Then King David went in and sat before the LORD…” This needs not mentioning, but it is important for us to consider who David is praying to: the LORD. I have said it here many times that anytime you see Lord translated in all capitals, it is speaking about the covenant name of God, Yaweh. So here David is addressing God because he has a covenant relationship with
Like David, you and I have access to God if we have come to faith in Jesus. Jesus has made us members of this covenant God made with David. We are partakers of this covenant if we have believed in Jesus. We can indeed commune with God. We don’t commune to some dead saints or to our ancestors. We commune with the God of the heavens. How are you making use of this privilege you have as a child of God. Do you pray? Do you raise your problems to God? Do you bring your anxieties to him? And most importantly do you thank God? When was the last time you approached God in prayer? For many believers, perhaps prayer is the last thing they will think of if they have any issues. Dear friends, let’s make use of the privileges we have in prayer. Let’s turn to God often.
Interestingly, it was God who reminded David of who he was (v.8). “Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be Prince over my people” In other words, God is telling David, you were a nobody, I made you who you are. A good reminder for all of us that in whatever positive way we view ourselves, we are a product of God’s grace. We were once sinners separated from God and living our lives to please ourselves. But God in his grace shown in the person of Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection, has reconciled us to himself.
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven
Who are you? A nobody. Only a sinner saved by grace. If indeed you have been saved. Now why did God remind David of who he was? Because of verse 1 & 2. The text tells us, David has been prospered by the LORD and given peace. So what did David do, he wanted to build a house for the ark of God which represents God’s presence. David thought, now I am comfortable. I am living in my own house, but the ark of dwells in a tent. Let me find a more suitable and secure place for the ark. He had good intentions, but his intention was not the will of God. His good intention was actually against God’s commands. We could see this as David trying to improve the worship of God with his own inventions.
But God will say, I don’t need your help. This must be a caution to us. We may have good intentions about worship and how the church is to conduct itself. But if those intentions are against the commands of God, then we must be careful. Even the prophet got it wrong (v.3).
This is the modern day error: Follow your heart. Dear friends, your heart is not good, don’t follow it. Follow the word of God. Follow the teachings of Scripture. Follow what the word says. And if what you want to do is against God’s word, abandon it. Listen to this note I picked from the ESV Study Bible on the Chapter
Nothing in the regulations about the ark of God in Exodus suggests that it was to be placed in a building. Rather, it would need carrying on poles (Exodus 25:10-16), as it was carried from place to place.
The Promises Of God
Now this prayer of gratitude from David was offered because of the promises of God: vv.19-21. David considers the promises of God and he is grateful. There is a lesson for us to learn. There is a line in the text we must not gloss over: “and this is instruction for mankind” In other words, the promises to David were not to David alone but has lessons to teach us. What possible lessons? The promises to David shows God’s faithfulness in his dealings with humankind. The promises to David will bring benefits to humanity—in the person of Jesus who died for sinners. Dear friends, what do we learn from here? God in his word has made great promises to us his children and we can glean some from the promises to David: God’s abiding presence (v.9), The peace of God (v.10-11), God’s discipline and chastisement (v.14), God’s steadfast love (v.15), Eternal security (v.16), Intimate knowledge of David (v.20), God’s Sovereignty (v.21)
All these find expression in the person of Jesus Christ: If you are in Jesus God’s abiding presence if upon you. If you are in Jesus, the peace of God is upon you. IF you are in Jesus the God will discipline and chastise you. If you are in Jesus, the steadfast, unending love of God is upon you
The Praises Of God
Now how does David offer his gratitude? He praises God. So from vv.22-28 we see one form of praise to another. God is great (v.22). Indeed it is only a great God who can give promises of an eternal nature. We indeed serve a great God and all he has said he will do. David also praises God’s electing grace (v.23-24).
The Plea For Fulfilment
David ends his prayer by pleading to God to fulfil his words. vv. 25-28. God is truly a faithful God and what he has promised to do, he will do.Do you have difficulty trusting in God. Is there a situation overwhelming you? Look to God’s fulfilment of his covenant in Christ and trust God that he can care for you. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
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