Pray the Bible
We are almost finished looking at the admirable characteristics of David. One day he was sitting on his throne and contemplating that all was peaceful around him. There were no more enemies to fight. So he turned his attention to his dream of building God a house. But through the prophet Nathan, David found out God didn't want him to build Him a house. It's in this chapter we learn the promise that God made to David regarding the future of his family. Here is part of what God said to David through Nathan:
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
That was very interesting information to David. How did David respond to this news? As you can imagine from all we've learned about him, David talked to God about the promise. This is today's characteristic. He prayed God's word back to him. I thought I discovered something phenomenal the day I realized that the best way to assure answered prayer is to pray God's word back to him. But that's nothing new. David did it first, right here in 2 Sam. 7.
For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. (2 Sam. 7:27-29)
His example here is a tremendous pattern for us. Find God's promises and rehearse them before God, asking him to do what He promised.
There are so many promises we could bring before Him. Here's one for today:
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) That could be physical, material or emotional needs, to name a few. "God, thank you for that promise and for all the riches I enjoy by Christ Jesus. You said you will supply all my need. Today, please supply my need for xxx, for I trust in you."
And here's another: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5-6) "Lord, I'm trusting you with all my heart. I'm not even going to try to understand what's going on here or how I should handle it. Instead, I acknowledge you, that you know everything and you are all powerful. You can rearrange people and things. Please direct my path. I don't know what's best for me. You do."
By the way, who wrote Prov. 3:5-6? It was Solomon. Who was Solomon? David's son…the very son God made His promise about, establishing his throne.
But that promise extended beyond Solomon.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:30-33)
When David prayed God's promise back to him, I'll bet he had no idea how that prayer would be answered!