“Who am I?”

1 Chronicles 29

English Standard Version (ESV)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+29&version=ESV

King David has just made his contributions to the building of the temple. He is getting ready to hand over the kingdom to his son Solomon, and also to entrust to him the building of the temple of the LORD. Then the people of Israel gave to the building of the temple. The people alone gave over 375,000 lbs of gold, 750,00 lbs of silver, 1,350,000 lbs of bronze, and 7,500,000 lbs of iron... (I did the conversion calculations) and then...

“...the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoice greatly.”

And then David prays what seems to me to be one of the most awesome and blessed prayers...

'Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is years. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. And they offered sacrifices to the LORD, and on the next day offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. ' (Underlining added)

When I read through this, (and I would encourage you to go back and read the whole chapter of 1 Chronicles chapter 29), I was struck with the blessedness of the prayer. David is praising and worshiping and giving thanks to God. And the people of Israel or praising God and rejoicing, GREATLY!
What struck me I think was the conditions for this state of awesome prayer, rejoicing, and gladness (it seems that there are few times in the old testament where the whole of the nation of Israel is rejoicing in God this way). They were rejoicing... because they had GIVEN, to God, freely and with a WHOLE heart! And as they were rejoicing King David leads them in prayer. He leads them in a prayer of THANKSGIVING and praise because God has allowed them to give back to him what is already HIS! “But who am I? And who is my people? That we should be able thus to offer willingly?...”

I think that some of our truest communication in prayer with God come when we catch a glimpse of the truth of life. Some of my most earnest requests in prayer have come when I caught a glimpse of how truly helpless without God I am, and how truly I need him in all things. Likewise I think that some of our most genuine praise of God and thanksgiving for his care come when we recognize AND RESPOND to the fact that GOD is the OWNER of everything! AND YET he allows us to give to him. It is called worship! When we see a glimpse of who God really is we respond in worship, and it is awesome! Prayer is a part of us worshiping our great God. Even though he is the rightful owner and master of the universe he gives us a part to play in the building up of his kingdom.

I think that the times when we are most freely able to give praise and glory to God in prayer are the times when he has moved us to give what we have (what he has given to us) willingly and freely. This means the giving of our time (the Lord has given us our lives!) to our families, to proclaiming the good news to our neighbors, the giving of support to our brothers and sisters in Christ through physical help (the Lord has given us our body!) and through finances and supplies (the Lord has given us work!). This is how we give to Christ! “...as you have done unto the least of these my brothers so you have done unto me.”

I know this has been a rambling of thoughts. I am sorry. But I encourage you to go back and read chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles again. See for yourself the joy of the people and of King David. Read for yourself the prayer and thanks of King David, and his request for the Lord's care. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for what he has allowed you to give back to him, and ask him to teach you how to give with a whole heart, willingly, that you may be able to rejoice greatly in the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

The above article was submitted by Billy Jackson (billy.jackson@psalm67missions.net). Billy has served as Missions Intern for Psalm 67 Missions Network providing leadership and oversight to short-term missions and assisting with the overall direction of PS67MN. Billy is currently preparing to serve at Rio Grande Bible Institute to learn the Spanish Language and to serve as a member of thier staff.