May it Please You

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?  And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!  And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God!  Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.  Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?  And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God.  And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.  And your name will be magnified forever, saying, “The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,” and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, “I will build you a house.” Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.  And now, O Lord, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.  Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.'” 2 Samuel 7:18-29

David’s prayer of awe-filled gratitude poured out in response to God’s bountiful promise to him. He was reminded of His shaping and calling, His grace and protection, His throne and victories. Now he knew his own name and throne would remain forever. His spontaneous reaction was an undone heart, vibrant faith, and praise. God’s grace and faithfulness were absolutely trustworthy.

We come to the Lord with so many instructions and suggestions. We approach Him arrogantly knowing best and wanting much. But when we sit before Him and recount His words and promises, and the name and voice behind them, we learn to shush our will and seize His. We learn to respond in prayer, claiming His pledge instead of our self-made pronouncements. We learn prayer that pleases Him is prayer that asks He be pleased to perform His bidding and accomplish in time what He’s already done in heaven. (Matthew 6:7-10)

Would we take the plunge to sit and learn? Surrendering self relinquishes flesh impulses and worldly thinking. It frees us to seize His promises that He delights to fulfill. With what prayers of faith will we seek God’s pleasure today? (Romans 12:1-2)

Lord, teach me to seek, embrace, and do all that pleases You so that You might be pleased in and glorified through me.