1 Chronicles 29:14-18
14 “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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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.
We tend to think that we are in control, that we "own" certain things, and that we deserve certain things. We get caught up in our rights, and are easily angered if we don't get what we think we deserve. David corrects this misunderstanding by reminding us that God is on the throne, and that all we have comes from Him. Our riches are not something we earned and get to keep for our own pleasure, but are blessings from God that need to be shared. We are just strangers passing through this life on earth. If we can accept this perspective, it changes how we look at life, and it can change how we respond to situations. When life is not the fun-filled pleasure cruise that we want it to be, we are tempted to turn to our addictions as a way of controlling part of life and getting our needs met. But if we see God as the owner and source of our life, then have to admit that we don't have a "right" to our own pleasure, but rather need to submit to His will and purpose. Just as David recognized that his money belonged to God, so we need to recognize that our sexual desires belong to God.
Lord, all I have is Yours; I submit my rights and desires to You, and pray that you would “direct my heart toward you”.
14 “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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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.
We tend to think that we are in control, that we "own" certain things, and that we deserve certain things. We get caught up in our rights, and are easily angered if we don't get what we think we deserve. David corrects this misunderstanding by reminding us that God is on the throne, and that all we have comes from Him. Our riches are not something we earned and get to keep for our own pleasure, but are blessings from God that need to be shared. We are just strangers passing through this life on earth. If we can accept this perspective, it changes how we look at life, and it can change how we respond to situations. When life is not the fun-filled pleasure cruise that we want it to be, we are tempted to turn to our addictions as a way of controlling part of life and getting our needs met. But if we see God as the owner and source of our life, then have to admit that we don't have a "right" to our own pleasure, but rather need to submit to His will and purpose. Just as David recognized that his money belonged to God, so we need to recognize that our sexual desires belong to God.
Lord, all I have is Yours; I submit my rights and desires to You, and pray that you would “direct my heart toward you”.