Who’s Behind It?

16 Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said,

Who am I, LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, LORD God.

18 What can David [say] yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? for you know your servant. 19 LORD, for your servant's sake, and according to your own heart, have you worked all this greatness, to make known all [these] great things.

20 LORD, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 What one nation in the eretz is like your people Yisra'el, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Mitzrayim? 22 For your people Yisra'el did you make your own people forever; and you, LORD, became their God.

23 Now, LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. 24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, the LORD of Hosts is the God of Yisra'el, even a God to Yisra'el: and the house of David your servant is established before you. - 1Ch 17:16-24 HNV

At a cultural show in Bandung, Indonesia, we enjoyed a wonderful orchestra performance. Before the finale, the 200 people in the audience were each handed an angklung, a musical instrument made of bamboo. We were taught how to shake it in rhythm with the conductor’s timing. Soon we thought we were performing like an orchestra; we felt so proud of how well we were doing! Then it dawned on me that we were not the ones who were good; it was the conductor who deserved the credit.

Similarly, when everything is going well in our lives, it’s easy to feel proud. We’re tempted to think that we are good and that it is by our abilities that we’ve achieved success. During such moments, we tend to forget that behind it all is our good God who prompts, prevents, provides, and protects.

David remembered that truth: “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?’” (1 Chron. 17:16). David’s heart swelled up in appreciation of God’s goodness.

The next time we are tempted to take credit for the blessings we enjoy, let’s pause and remember that it is the Lord who brings blessing.

No strength of our own, nor goodness we claim;
Our trust is all thrown on Jesus’ name:
In this our strong tower for safety we hide;
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.” —Newton

The hand of the Father is behind all good things.
http://odb.org/2012/07/09/whos-behind-it/
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