Learning How To Pray Pt. 34 Humbly Praying And Giving Glory To God

In our last post, we looked at the first part of King David's beautiful prayer to Jehovah.

Now we move to the next part of this prayer from a mature but humble saint of God. The context is David transitioning the kingdom to his son, Solomon, whom the LORD appointed to be the next king. 

I suggest reading 1 Chronicles 28:9-21, where King David gives Solomon the solemn responsibility to build the temple for Jehovah. 

In those verses, you will find a very detailed inventory of all the wood, metals and precious things that David accumulated for this project. 

You will also see a beautiful example of verbal inspiration in verse 19, where God gave David blueprints for building this beautiful structure. 

The bountiful supply of building materials is what I call to our attention, for the next part of David's prayer speaks about it.

We need humble hearts when praying to God. 

1 Chronicles 29:14,15  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15)  For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 

Even though he was a mighty king, David remembered his humble roots and he recalled the history of his people from Abraham to Moses to the Judges and to wicked King Saul.

In his prayer, David marveled that God took notice of him and the nation Israel. Most of the people lived humble lives as strangers and pilgrims passing through the land, with no sense of permanence. Life could be hard and time passed swiftly. 

David was an honourable person, and Israel an honourable nation at that time. Yet the king speaks of himself and the people, as unworthy of receiving God's care and favour. 

He reflected how God's providential provisions prospered the nation and how generously all the people contributed materials needed for building the temple of God. 

Also notice that King David was not covetous, even though he accumulated much wealth. David recognized that every good thing that he and his people enjoyed, came from the hand of God. 

The wealth, lands, skills and abilities they enjoyed, all belong to God. He is to be praised for giving such wonderful gifts to men. The king and his people were giving back to God that which already belonged to Him. 

David was a humble shepherd before God made him king.

1 Chronicles 17:7,8  Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: 8)  And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth. 

As David continued his prayer, he was filled with wonder that a vast and glorious God like Jehovah, would show so much kindness to a humble, shepherd boy. 

Nathan was a prophet who brought the word of the LORD to King David. Jehovah stated what he did for the king when he was a teenager. 

A shepherd was a lowly occupation and they often were looked down on because of their work environment. 

They endured harsh weather conditions, and had to fend off predators. They remained vigilant even during the night hours, to protect their flocks. 

Shepherds had to care for any sick or injured sheep. They had to lead them safely to pastures for food and springs of water to quench their thirst. 

Each of us should remember that when we pray, we have no status, no amount of money or privilege, that could cause God to overlook our sins and love for us.

Isaiah 40:10,11  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

Here is a sure promise from God that was given 800 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He promises to care for each child of God just as a good shepherd cares for his flock. 

This is a beautiful picture of how our Father in heaven tenderly cares for and loves us. We receive His protective care, and a strong, gentle hand to guide us. He restores our soul when we are weak, weary or when we fall. 

David is showing us that we come to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, just as we are, repenting of our sins, and trusting Him to save us. 

Giving glory to God when we pray, for all His benefits. 

1 Chronicles 29:16  O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 

King David finished this portion of his prayer expressing thanksgiving and gratitude to God. Why? Because the massive inventory of supplies and building materials came from God his Father. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

John 10:4,5  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5)  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 

Jesus Christ is the door for the sheep to enter safely. He is the good shepherd who died to save His sheep. 

Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ know their Good Shepherd and He knows us. 

Those saints of God, who are the sheep of His pasture, follow Christ our Good Shepherd. We know the voice of Jesus and refuse to follow a stranger, no matter how alluring their teaching may sound. 

Let us seek to have a humble heart before the LORD when we pray, for we have nothing that was not given to us by our Father in heaven.

Let us remember that as David was a lowly shepherd boy before Jehovah elevated him, and like David, we were lost sinners, enemies of God, before Christ saved us. 

Let us give cheerfully and generously to the work of God, for all our resources came from God and rightly belong to Him. 

May the LORD of glory shape our minds and help us pray as we ought.

Bob