Week of 1/13-1/19: Develops - God Provides Leaders

Day Two: 2 Sam. 7:18-24 Then King David went in, sat in the LORD’s presence, and said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? What You have done so far was a little thing to You, Lord GOD, for You have also spoken about Your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation for mankind, Lord GOD. What more can David say to You? You know Your servant, Lord GOD. Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant. “This is why You are great, Lord GOD. There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. And who is like Your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for Himself, to make a name for Himself, and to perform for them great and awesome acts, driving out nations and their gods before Your people You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. You established Your people Israel Your own people forever, and You, LORD, have become their God.

“THIS IS IT,” Sarah said to her mother back stage. “This is my big chance; there’s no coming back from this.” Sarah was about to step on stage for one of the biggest vocal solo festivals in her state. It was her time to shine, and she knew that if she could woo the crowd, she could make first place and possibly land a recording contract. But the worst happened. The audio malfunctioned and completely broke her concentration, and her chances of landing first place. Although it

wasn’t her fault, she was thankful for the opportunity and kind to the judges when they called her out for her third place trophy. Much to Sarah’s surprise, she was offered not one, but two recording contracts that night. When she asked why, the talent scouts said that it wasn’t just her talent that mattered, but her character and her choice to be thankful despite her circumstance.

In today’s reading, King David chose to be thankful, despite his circumstances. He didn’t get what he initially wanted (to build a temple for God) and I’m sure it was hard for the king to hear the word “no,” even coming from God. Nevertheless, David’s humility, trust, and thankfulness shined through in his prayer.

How do you respond to life’s circumstances? Read again David’s prayer and notice the humility and character that exists in every word. Ultimately, David made everything about God and nothing about himself. Today, despite your successes and failures, strive to make everything about God—He deserves all the praise.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How can you make everything about God in your daily life?

▷▷What do you think it means to be a person after God’s own heart?

▷▷What does humility look like in your school, at work, and at home?