Daily Readings and Thought for October 3rd. “WHO AM I LORD GOD?”  

As a lad David was a shepherd, he sought to do his job properly, and he did; he protected the sheep.   His father sent him with provisions for his brothers in the army, he knew nothing about the Philistine champion Goliath until he got there.

The act which was to give him fame and cause us to think of him as “Great David” was caused by a situation thrust upon him.  His faith in God, developed from his youth, his assurance that God was a “living God” was the foundation upon which his thinking and attitudes were built.

This in turn led to further situations that developed into a conviction of God and a day to day relationship with Him. It was a wonderful state of mind, it gave him the strength to triumph over God’s enemies – they were not his enemies – they only became so because they were jealous of the successes he gained through his faith and trust in God.

Saul is a particular example of this happening – both of his jealousy caused by David’s popularity – and the result of his failing to develop a daily relationship with God.  A vital factor for us in our endeavours to develop this relationship ourselves – is ourdaily reading of God’s word.  How we read is a vital factor in this!  Are we as “hungry” for food for our minds as we are of food for our bodies?

In our reading today in 1 Chron. 17 David is astounded at the promises God makes to him! God speaks of his servant David’s house, a spiritual house, revealing the blueprint of what will unfold in the future.   David realizes God has spoken of “a great while to come and have shown me future generations” [v.17].  David says, in his humility, “Who am I LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”[v.16]

Reflect on your life – are your attitudes of faith, aims and ambitions such that God will be able to use you in some part of his purpose?

This is the lesson we learn from David’s life.  Note what he says in his Psalm (a prayer really) to God; “You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great” [18 v.35]   God is “gentle” with those who seek to serve him with a humble and awed attitude of mind.  What an example to us – much food for our thoughts and our contemplation of our own relationship with God. Are you finding this food a remarkable stimulus to the health of your mind – day after day?