Week Nine - Day Two: Give Thanks

King David wanted to build a temple for God. This was primarily a token of David’s great love for God, I believe. It also would have been a powerful memorial to David’s kingdom and his rule. It would have made Israel an equal to many of the surrounding nations solidifying David’s place among the great Ancient Near Eastern kings.

But God told David not to build the temple. God told him to make preparations for it, but his son Solomon would build it. Surely David must have been disappointed. Look at 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 to get a sense of how he responded.

1 Chronicles 29:10-20

(10) David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, LORD,
      the God of our father Israel,
      from everlasting to everlasting.

(11) Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
      and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
      for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
      Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
      you are exalted as head over all.

(12) Wealth and honor come from you;
      you are the ruler of all things.
      In your hands are strength and power
      to exalt and give strength to all.

(13) Now, our God, we give you thanks,
      and praise your glorious name.

(14) “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (15) We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. (16) LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (17) I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (18) LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. (19) And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”

(20) Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the LORD your God.” So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the LORD and the king.

Before You Start Your Day

1. Which verse or phrase from the Scripture we read today grabbed your attention. Give it a few minutes right now. Turn it over in your mind and let it sink into your heart.
2. Notice how David recognizes God as the source of all true success. Give God thanks for the successes that you have had.
3. Now re-read verses 10 through 13 and make it your prayer back to God.