Sunday Sermon: We Give You What Comes from You
“10David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
11Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
14”But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
15We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
16O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
17I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
18O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.
19And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.””
Today’s scripture from 1 Chronicles 29 finds us at a pinnacle moment in King David's life—a moment of both celebration and humility. David, a successful and established king, stood before the people of Israel, ready to dedicate all his resources to build a temple for God. His desire was rooted in a longing to honor God, as he was troubled by the contrast between his palace and the tabernacle, where God’s Ark still resided. But God’s plan was different: while David could gather resources, it would be his son Solomon who would build the temple.
1. Remembering the Amazing Grace
In his prayer, David reflects on God’s nature and greatness, leading with praise: "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory" (1 Chronicles 29:11). This is more than simple praise—it is a confession of who God is and a reminder of why they are building this temple. David recognizes that every resource they have comes from God, that all wealth and honor flow from Him alone.
This confession then pivots to a question that may seem out of place: “Who am I, and who are my people?” David, a prosperous king, knew he could have claimed power, wealth, or his legacy as his identity. Yet, he chooses a humble perspective: "We are foreigners and strangers in your sight." Even in a time of strength, David understands that his life and his people’s identity are grounded in their reliance on God’s grace, not their accomplishments.
2. Responding with Whole Devotion
David’s understanding of God’s grace inspires him and the people to give generously. They offer their resources willingly, recognizing that the materials they contribute are not truly theirs but blessings from God. David models a posture of thankfulness, realizing that their temporary possessions are part of a greater legacy of faith. In this, we see a model of how the grace we receive calls us to respond with generosity and devotion, to give from a place of thankfulness rather than obligation.
3. Remaining Hopeful
Though David deeply desired to build the temple himself, he accepted God’s plan for Solomon to fulfill this task. Instead of pleading to complete it himself, David prays for Solomon, showing a profound trust in God’s timing and sovereignty. David's prayer is a reminder that while we dedicate ourselves to God’s work, we often do not see the final outcome. Our faith requires that we plant seeds of dedication, trusting that God will bring His work to completion in His time.
Like David, we are reminded that we are strangers and sojourners in this world, reliant on God’s provision and grace. Our identity is not in our possessions, accomplishments, or security but in our relationship with God. We live and give generously, knowing that our true security comes not from earthly things but from God's unwavering faithfulness. Let us also embrace the humility of not needing to control every outcome, trusting that God, who began His work in us, will bring it to completion.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)