May This Be True For All Generations

“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”  - Ephesians 1:4

From the mouth of David:

“Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in Your sight, Sovereign LORD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant—and this decree, Sovereign LORD, is for a mere human! What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, Sovereign LORD.  For the sake of Your word and according to Your will, You have done this great thing and made it known to Your servant. How great You are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like You, and there is no God but You, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for Himself, and to make a name for Himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt? You have established Your people Israel as Your very own forever, and You, LORD, have become their God. And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in Your sight. LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. Sovereign LORD, You are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and You have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever in Your sight; for You, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”   (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

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.  We are foreigners and strangers in Your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.  LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a temple for Your Holy Name comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to You.  I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You.  LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You.  And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep Your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”  (1 Chronicles 29:14-19)

Lord,

Today I echo the words of King David, Your humble servant. 

“How great You are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like You, and there is no God but You.  Your covenant is trustworthy, and You have promised these good things to your servant. And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever. Keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You.”

Lord, make us holy and blameless in Your sight.  Both today and forevermore.

Amen