Davids Prayer:
1. There are the elements of prayer: Davids prayer was one of humbling himself that enabled him to accept Gods will, praying according to Gods promises, and asking for His blessing. He accepted Gods purpose, foregoing his own. His was a prayer of surrender to Gods will, gratitude and love. He abandoned himself to Gods providences and care.
All these are important in our own relationship with the Lord.
2. But also, we live downstream from this prophecy, a day when the Son of David, of whom the prophet spoke, has come. Jesus Christ, the anointed one, died for our sins, was raised, to the right hand of God. As He said to David, we can say of Him: "He is with us; He has destroyed our enemies; He came to prepare a place for us" To surrender and yield our lives to this King, as David did, is to come into His favor. This is the place of His blessing today, to come into the reign of Christ!
The early Christians saw it like this: if God himself were to come in the flesh and live with us, wouldnt He live and act just like Jesus did?
Is there something you would like to surrender to Him today?
Would you like to pray to him, yielding your life and your future to him, asking for His ways in your life?
Would you like to give him your desires
This can` be hard: particularly if you have strong desire in an area and youve grown strong-willed and independent and capable, but humility sees our need for Him.
That anointed one is here today. The One who was with David and who destroyed all his enemies is here for us!
When we think of prayers of David, we may naturally think of the Psalms. The Hebrew name for this book is "The Book of Praises". Their honesty of heart and themes of praise and thanksgiving, trouble and trial and trust, repentance and so on are favorites for many of us.
Often need is the psalmist�s focus of our prayer. Need is a great motivator to pray!
1.How many of you pray when you have needs?
2. Pray better when you have needs?
3. How many know why we have needs?
However, when I was asked to speak on prayer, I immediately thought of Davids prayer in 2 Sam. 7. I believe God has something to say to all of us in this passage. So what I want to do is to read this to you and then offer some comments and reflections.
2 Samuel 7 (& 1 Chron. 17) significant passage: Davidic covenant and promise of Messiah, Gods deliverer for a suffering people
* There are 3 sections to this chapter:
* the exchange between David and Nathan the prophet.
* Then Nathans prophecy to David and
then Davids prayer in response.
Vs. 1-3: David is at rest from his enemies, at this time. And he thinks to build a house, a temple for the ark and for honor of God. Hes living in a cedar palace, but God still dwells in a tent! Nathan says, Go for it, you are the king! And this was a good thought on Davids part: rather than indulge himself in luxury and ease, he considers how can I honor and serve God.
Vs. 4-17: But that night, God speaks to Nathan, and says, Not so!
Nathan is to remind David of the great things He has done for him:
God chose David from small beginnings, a shepherd to make him to make him judge and prince of Israel (vs. 10-11).
God was with him and God cut off all his enemies.
God would make his name great. And God would build him a house!
And towards the end of Nathans oracle, he speaks of a kingdom and a throne to be established for ever. Clearly some of this refers to Davids immediate son, Solomon.
But this word also became the hope for Messiah among the Jews! Nathans prophecy is crowned with Gods promise of an anointed one, the Messiah, ones whose reign and kingdom would last forever. See vs. 12b-17.
The Messiah, the anointed one, who said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me" (see Acts 2.30, Heb. 1.5) How often the crowds called Jesus "Son of David".
And by the way, "You would build Me a house? No, I will build you one!" What an astounding/astonishing response on Gods part! An example too of our giving to Him our little and He accepts it to bring about His own plan!
David wouldnt forget this prophecy: Nathans prophecy is again cited in Psalm 89. 20-38.
How did David respond? His prayer: (Comments and observations:)
1. Davids first response: he goes before the Lord, before the ark and prays: Who am I and who is my family (he begins in humility, always a good place to begin like Gideon before his battle with the Midianites, "O valiant warrior") The Lord loves humility! The Lord reminded David of his lowly beginnings (vs. 8) and so David responds as he did (vs. 18).
It is good to remember our small beginnings. God favors the lowly (Mary); the poor in spirit see that all comes from Christ. There is no self-promotion or self-importance or self-centeredness in David or attributing to himself his position, but a yielding to Gods will.
Why does God favor humility? Its truth! (What have you that you have not received?) What derives from humility?
A. Willingness to accept Gods will in a matter. Thank God David did not respond to Nathan:
1."Well, Im the king; I do what I choose, what I will." David would write later: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor do so in vain. Ps. 127)
2. Or he didnt respond, well, lets what are my options in the matter�what do I want to do here?
How many of us have come to know Gods ways are best for our life? When I was 18 and praying to understand Gods will for my life
But what if we have strong desires for something and it seems so right! Are you willing to pray "Lord, if this desire is from you, please fulfill it. If not, You can take it away, and replace it with your desires for me."
What if you have no desire for the thing the Lord is apparently directing you to do? Will you, after testing it, go ahead and respond accordingly.
B> Another reason God favors humility: with humility comes a knowing God and an openness to His revelation: then knowing self: look at Davids prayervs. 22-3; Further down David speaks of God as "the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel." He is a God of exalted names and therefore exalted character and purposes. And He is our God!
C> humility allows the Lord to bring His favor into our life.
David authored Ps. 8: It begins by proclaiming Gods glory (how majestic is thy name in all the earth) Then speaks of mans honor (having dominion over the works of his hands) What is man that thou art mindful of him
Pride blocks this and shuts us down to an encounter with His love; were imprisoned in self-sufficiency and our own adequacy. Humility accepts our need for Him and bows before Him and His ways and Love.
Notice how David prays according to Gods promises vs. 28-29. This is another key to prayer. When we come to understand Gods promises and purposes for our life, it is right that we pray for Him to bring them to pass in our lives. Turn Gods promises into prayer (Lord, you said to seek you You said ask and you shall receive) What has the Lord promised you? Hasnt He promised all of us: Forgiveness following repentance, fullness of life, peace, His presence, The Holy Spirit
Our future is as bright as His promises. Two kinds of people: those who say to God, Thy will be done. Those to whom God will say: Thy will be done. (C.S. Lewis).
Lastly, David desires the blessing of the Lord; he yearns for Gods blessing upon his own life and that of his family. Blessing the bestowal of grace and favor that brings to us the power to succeed and prosper. See how he praysvs. 29 and so should we. David knew without Gods blessing, all is nothing!
Perhaps Samuel taught David the importance of Gods blessing, as when Abraham blest Isaac and Isaac Jacob, and so the Covenant blessing continued from generation to generation.
David would later pen: "Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord!"
Perhaps David taught his son, Solomon, the proverb, the blessing of the Lord makes rich Not simply a material wealth. But the grace and the unfolding of Gods providences and protection were also part of the blessing.*
