Sunday, 11 March 2007

The Adult's Sunday School Class - Proverbs 22:16-23 Do not get rich off of the poor and do not exploit the poor!

Scripture reading: #671

Sunday evening Vesper's at 5:00 - Matthew 7:15-23 False prophets - what do you do about them? 

Wednesday, @ 7 - 8 p.m. A class on "Anger: the theological, psychological, emotional and social aspects of our temper."

"...Who am I that you have brought me this far?"

II Samuel 7:1. After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2. he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."

3. Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 4. That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5. "Go and tell my servant David, `This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?

6. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" '

8. "Now then, tell my servant David, `This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. 9. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

10. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning

11. and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "`The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12. When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

16. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'" 17. Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

18. Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

"David went in and sat before the Lord and said..."

This is the difference between a great man and an also-ran. When David was confronted by his inadequacies and faults he went in and sat before the Lord and said, "Who am I that you have brought me this far?"

David was cognizant of the great blessings that had come his way. He didn't get angry with God when God said, "No!" Instead, David reviewed the history of God's blessings upon him and said, in essence, 'Wow, God, you have been far better to me than I ever deserved.'

David went on to express how unbelievable it was that God had brought him so far in this world. He had come from following sheep - all the way to being King.

How far has God brought you? Do you appreciate it? Are you to the point yet where you can thank God for the journey?

David's journey had plenty of caves and valleys but he ended up king of the hill. Joseph's journey went from pit to palace by way of a prison. Your journey has its twists and turns and times of despair, but God has not, and will not, forget you and where He is taking you.

Hang in there and be thankful...he has not forsaken you.