Prayer of Praise
1 Chron. 29:10-15
1 Chronicles 29:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly. 10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
9 Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly. 10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
The people and David had just given freely and wholeheartedly to the building of God’s Temple.David rejoiced in his prayer and gave the God of heaven praise for His greatness. Praise is the offering of grateful honor and worship in words or song. This prayer is different than most because it is not a petition for anything but instead David in his prayer gives God glory for all He is and what He has done and is doing for Israel and all mankind.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore-(love, respect, and admire, esteem) you as the one who is over all things.
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore-(love, respect, and admire, esteem) you as the one who is over all things.
The purpose of the temple was to worship and exalt
the Lord and to acknowledge that God is sovereign ruler over all. David
modeled before the people the worship of the living God. It typically starts with
praise for God’s omnipotence because He has complete control over the universe,
and has great power in the heavens and earth. He is the glorious Master over
all things and all beings.
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Chronicles 29:12-14 (NLT)
12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. 13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. 13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
David
confessed that the riches and honor he and the people enjoyed had come
from God’s generosity. People today think that these things come from their
great ability. But verse 12 tells us the truth about where riches and honor
come from. When we learn to accept the fact that God owns it all, it will open
the door to give freely and willingly as these people had done. The offerings
David and his people had just made were possible only because God first had
given to them, and God made them to be: Able to offer so willingly: Not
only is the ability to give, but the willingness to give, is also a gift of God,
to those who are close to Him. When you realize that it all comes from God and
belongs to Him, that you are only steward of what God has given you, you will
want to give to Him. 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (NLT) 7 You must each decide
in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to
pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always
have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As
the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their
good deeds will be remembered forev
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Chronicles 29:15 (NLT)
15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
David calls us to reality. We are only Aliens-visitors
and strangers:
David asserts that life on earth is transitory and very temporary. Only when a
person becomes conscious of his or her place within the care and blessing of a
sovereign God does life become more than a shadow. Suddenly the hope of
a future with God illuminates that person’s journey on this earth.
Hebrews 11:13-16 (NLT)
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads (wanderers) here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.
15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.
16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads (wanderers) here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.
15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.
16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Invitation: Do you know realize that God is in control of
everything, even your life and eternal destination? Are you prepared for the
day you stand before Him and answer the question He will ask, “Why should I
allow you into my Kingdom?” What will your answer be? The only answer God will
accept is that you have asked His Son Jesus to forgive your sins and invited
Him into your life. If you have not done this, then I plead with you to ask
Jesus Christ to save you right now. Then you will live eternally with God the
Father and Jesus His Son.
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