Old Testament: 1Ch 17.23–24

To read the Bible in a year, read First Chronicles 17–19 on May 26, In the year of our Lord Christ 2023

By Don Ruhl 

David wanted to build a house for the Lord, but the Lord did not want David to build it. Instead the Lord spoke of what he would do for David, building him a house, meaning a family name. This so touched David that he responded with a magnificent prayer, but notice how he prayed. Notice what he wanted to happen and why: 

“And now, O LORD, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said. So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.”

– 1 Chronicles 17.23–24 

David’s motivation for wanting the Lord to establish his house was not for self-glory or anything in regard to himself, but it was that the name of the Lord would be magnified forever. 

Much of our prayers are asking God for what we want, and rarely do we ask that it be done that God might be glorified. 

Friends, whatever you pray for, be sure to see how the answering of that prayer will glorify God, and mention it to him in prayer. If he were to answer according to what you ask, and if you cannot see how it would glorify God, then do not make the prayer, or change your thinking to see how your request should be redirected for the glory of the Lord. 

Questions: 

• How many of your prayers are about earthly things versus heavenly things? 
• When you think of how the Lord has blessed you, what comes first into your thinking? Do you think of material or spiritual blessings first? 

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