Text: 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Main Idea: It all comes from you, Lord.
Literal definition – a modest or low view of one’s own importance.
Spiritual definition – acceptance of God’s perspective on all things related to attitude and conduct.
The late, Lloyd Ogilvie, former pastor and chaplain to the U.S. Senate once said, authentic humility is an expression of honesty, gratitude, and courage. It asks three crucial questions:
1. Who am I, really? (Psalm 51:6; Psalm 145:18)
2. What do I have that I was not given. (1 Corinthians 4:7).
3. What are the next steps in the adventure of growth for me? (Philippians 3:12)
David addresses all three of those questions in this glorious prayer.
1. Vs. 14 Who am I? (And who are my people)
The answer to David’s question is implied. He knew who he was: a shepherd boy that God exalted to king. He knew who his people were. Deuteronomy 7:7: The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Who are you on the inside?
• Who are you Paul? I’m the foremost of sinners and less than the least of all saints.
• Who are you John the Baptist? I am the one who preached about the coming Messiah and later on had my doubts about whether He was really the one?
• Who are you, Dan Baty. I am needy and insecure.
• I have symptoms.
o I worry about how well I’m doing my job.
o I worry about having enough money.
o I worry about my wife’s health.
o I get the “what if’s” and the “if only’s.”
o I really do care what people think about me.
o God’s given me all these promises and I really believe them. But sometimes I doubt. So, I’m insecure and needy.
But what I am learning, and re-learning is my insecurity is a blessing because it gives me an opportunity to practice humility, to accept God’s perspective and experience His presence and His love, wisdom and power.
Jesus said we are to say we are unworthy servants, but we are also fellow heirs, new creatures, sons and daughters of the Most High, Citzens of Heaven.
Who are you? You are “all that” and “not all that” at the same time.
• Never let anything in your past bully you into thinking you are less than someone else. But don’t let any present success deceive you into thinking you are more than someone else.
• Jesus modeled how to hold onto both. John 13:14 You call me teacher and Lord and so I am, if I washed your feet so also should you. The message: Use your exalted status to humbly serve one another.
Everything I am that is admirable or praiseworthy, it all comes from You, Lord.
2. Vs. 14 Everything I have comes from You
1 Corinthians 4:7 “What do I have that I did not receive?”
Vs 16 of our text: All this abundance comes from You, and it belongs to You
• David also notes in Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”
Not just material possessions and wealth. Acts 17:28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.
To thank God for everything is not an exaggeration. We cannot over thank Him.
Everything I have, it all comes from You, Lord.
3. King of Hearts.
What are the next steps in the adventure of growth…?
Vss. 18-19 David prays for something he knows he cannot do change hearts. Not even his own (see Psalm 51:10.
We all have the same next step; it is always “to believe in the One whom the Father has sent” (John 6:29). What changes are the circumstances in which it is applied.
-When your children are young, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-When your children are adults, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-When you are working, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-When you are unemployed, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-When you are retired, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-When you are sick, the next step is to believe God for what you need in that stage.
-Just the next step!
And to the extent that I am able to do so, I owe it all to You Lord.
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