There is a place in many viewers’ hearts for footage or videos where someone is overcome by the generosity of a stranger. Back in the days when we watched television, shows like Undercover Boss would show hard-working humble folks overcome when the CEO generously rewards them for their service. Reaction videos of everyday people abound on the internet. It warms the heart.
If that is momentary physical things, then how much more are we not overcome by God’s great generosity in spiritual things? David certainly was. After the bad news that he would not be building God a temple anymore, David was overcome by God’s generosity in building his house, and the effect this would have on all of mankind. David’s prayer before God demonstrates thanks and prays that God’s promises would come to fulfilment. As we enjoy the benefits of God’s goodness ourselves, David’s model of prayer is a good place to start for us.
After Nathan the prophet received the message from God of his great goodness towards David, Nathan went and spoke with David (v.17).
David’s response was to immediately seek the fellowship of the God who had proclaimed his generous promises to him. He went to God’s tabernacle and sat to pray (as was then a custom) and humbly expressed his thanks for God’s graciousness (v.18).
He started by praising God for his past deeds. “Who am I … that you have brought me thus far?” (v.18) David understood that God had raised him from humble shepherd of his father’s flocks to king over all Israel, through many years of trial and tribulation.
Yet despite all the good God had done, he was not done yet. All of God’s goodness to date was a “small thing” and God had plans for his “servant’s house for a great while to come” (v.19). He also described this as “instruction for mankind” recognising that the implications went far beyond himself and his offspring.
Finally, David praised God for his sovereign choice. He had “known” David (likely meant in a covenantal sense rather than information) and because of God’s greatness and his heart (or will) he was bringing all this to pass (vv.20-21). What else could he do but praise? “For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you” (v.22).
Next David extended this praise because of God’s saving his people. David recognised that the people he ruled were special because God redeemed them from slavery by great and powerful deeds, and established them as the basis for his covenant people, privileged above all others (vv.23-4).
After praising God for his great generosity, to himself, his offspring, and his people, David turned to praying that all God’s promises would come to pass. This was not an act of doubt, but instead praying for its fulfilment like we pray for God’s Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
David prays that God would “confirm forever the word that you have spoken … and do as you have spoken” (v.25), taking God’s promises and praying they would happen. Why? So that God’s name would be glorified (v.26).
He prayed this prayer because God had revealed it to him, and therefore he wasn’t praying his own mere hopes and dreams but confidently seeking God’s revealed will (v.27).
Finally, David recognised that God had promised him these amazing promises in God’s goodness, and so he desired that God’s will would be done in fulfilling those promises to him and to his offspring after him (vv.28-9).
In these three pieces of the second part of David’s prayer, David was seeking that God would fulfil his promises.
There is much here for us as an example and an encouragement. God has been so good to us! Far more than we could ever deserve! Like David, as we dwell on God’s goodness to us it is entirely normal to be overcome by God’s generosity. It is entirely good.
For like David, like God’s People of David’s day, we too have been redeemed from slavery (to sin), set apart, and privileged above all others. We have received the benefits of the promises God made in years past to Abraham, to Moses, to David, to redeem us from our sins through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of light.
All that remains, as such, is the completion of the work begun in us. The completion of the salvation plan that was set in place before there was time.
And so we can praise God for his goodness to us. His goodness in the past, his goodness sure to come, his goodness in sovereign choice to not just us but countless others too.
And we can pray that God will fulfil his promises. Fulfil them for God’s glory. Pray with confidence, because God has announced his promises to us through his word, and through The Word (Jesus).
Not sure what to pray for? David has a few ideas!
