All that’s happened so far is nothing compared to what is to come.

When David finds himself settled in a palace and at rest with all the enemies around him, his mind turns to the ark. How can he live in a house of cedar when the ark of the Lord is in a tent? However, it seems that God likes it that way and wants it to stay that way for now, according to the prophet Nathan –

‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’  2 Samuel 7:5-7

And via Nathan, God has more to say to David –

Remember, I took you from where you were.

I appointed you.

I have been with you.

I protected you.

I will make your name great.

I will provide for you.

I will bring you peace.

Your own offspring will succeed you –  ^‘I will be his father, and he will be my son’.

I have been with you wherever you have gone.  2 Samuel 7:9

It is good to be reminded of this. It is good to look back and see where we have come from and how different things could have been. What we have been protected from, what we have learnt, how God has been there with us and for us every step of the way.

Gratitude and thankfulness well up naturally for this God who loves us and cares for us and provides for us and protects us.

David couldn’t hold it in –

Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God! What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it.

This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears. And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique in the earth, whom God set out to redeem for himself (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt? You established for yourself a people—your very own Israel!—your people permanently. And you, God, became their God.

So now, great God, this word that you have spoken to me and my family, guarantee it permanently! Do exactly what you’ve promised! Then your reputation will flourish always as people exclaim, ‘The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will remain sure and solid in your watchful presence. For you, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, told me plainly, ‘I will build you a house.’ That’s how I was able to find the courage to pray this prayer to you.

And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!  2 Samuel 2:18-29

It’s that first paragraph that gets to me. That can be our prayer too. That can be my prayer and your prayer….

Who am I, that you have brought me to this place?

Who am I, that you have given me so many good things?

Who am I, that you have done so many amazing things in my life?

And yet the best is yet to come.

I believe in better.

All that’s happened so far is nothing compared to what is to come.

That blows my mind!

What can I say?

How can I find the words to describe how I feel right now?

But you know.

Of course you do.

You know everything about me.

You know me better than I know myself.

All that I have achieved is not because I am great but because you are great.

You’ve brought out the best in me – the God in me.

Thanks for letting me be a part of that.