2 Samuel 7:18, 19 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house… (Suitable for a birthday or the new year.) David, having retired into the presence of God, pours out before him the feelings of his heart, in view of what God had done for him, and what he had just promised to do. I. THE MERCIES CONTEMPLATED. 1. Past leading. "Thou hast brought me hitherto." How much this included in David's case! How much in the case of every one of us! Each should recall in God's presence the particulars of his own life. Life itself, reason, health, preservation, supply of wants, home surroundings and comforts, the love of parents, etc., education, advancement in life, deliverances from perils and sicknesses, honours, the advantages of living in a country civilized, free, Christian; the Word and ordinances of God, connection with his Church and ministers, and all that has flowed therefrom - the life of God in the soul, pardon, peace, hope, the Spirit of adoption, love to God and men, access to God, the communion of saints, growth in grace, victory over temptations, opportunity and will to do good, success in Christian labours, support in troubles and benefit from them. Also the blessings of one's "house" - wife, children, good children especially, and their happiness. It is an endless task to remember and recount all the mercies of God; but the attempt is always salutary. 2. Promises as to the future. "This was yet a small thing in thy sight, but thou hast spoken also of thy servants house for a great while to come." Astonished and grateful as David was in view of his past experience of God's goodness, the promises he had now received respecting the perpetuation of his kingdom into the distant future still more affected him We also have "given unto us exceeding great and precious promises," stretching onward into the eternal future. The kindness of God in the past is but "a small thing." Even his spiritual gifts, great as they are, and the necessary preparation for the eternal, are but a slight foretaste and pledge of the exaltation, perfection, glory, and bliss which be will bestow upon his children in increasing abundance forever and ever. II. THEIR GIVER. The contemplation of our history and prospects will bare a beneficial or injurious effect as we do or do not recognize God as the Giver of all. Some men regard themselves as the architects of their own fortunes, and are correspondingly filled with self-satisfaction. David ascribed all to God; and we ought to be like him in this. For if we have done much for ourselves, the power, opportunity, and will to do so came from him; if friends have greatly aided us, these also were God's gifts. In spiritual things it is especially obvious that "by the grace of God" we are what we are. III. THEIR RECEIVER. "Who am I," etc.? The thought of David's insignificance and that of his family rendered the Divine goodness to him more conspicuous and impressive. So we shall more duly estimate the goodness of God to us, if we think rightly of ourselves; and a due impression of the greatness of his goodness will lead us to a just estimate of ourselves. At every step of our review of the past and anticipation of the future shall we be reminded of the many exhibitions of our own unworthiness. "Who am I?" - a frail and insignificant creature, a sinner, a great and persistent sinner; at best, a very imperfect Christian; proved to be such by innumerable instances - that I should be so favoured now, and should have such hopes of everlasting blessing set before me? IV. THE EMOTIONS AWAKENED BY THEM. 1. Astonishment. At the Divine goodness, sovereign, free, unbounded, condescending. At the return made, which would appear incredible were it not for the sure testimony of memory and consciousness. 2. Gratitude and love. Expressed in praise and self-consecration (Romans 12:1). 3. Humility. The mercies of God revealing the more our unworthiness. The perception of his hand in our lives making our own part in the good they have contained seem insignificant. "Not unto us," etc. (Psalm 115:1). "Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). 4. Benevolence. His loving kindness producing loving kindness in our hearts, as we contemplate it; and prompting to a return of benefits, which, as they cannot be conferred on God himself, we bestow on his representatives. "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love" (Ephesians 5:1, 2, Revised Version). "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:11). - G.W. Parallel Verses KJV: Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? |
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