A Small Thing?

In 1 Chronicles seventeen we read of David’s desire to build a house for the LORD. He was bothered that as he lived in a house of cedar, the ark of God was in a tent. (vs.1) Nathan encouraged David in this regard, but then God came to Nathan with a message to give to him. (vss.2-3) Though David desired to build a house for the LORD, God had in mind to build a house (a family) for David (vs.10). God was going to make David’s name “like one of the great ones of the earth” (vs.8 ESV) and his kingdom would be established forever. (vs.14)

As David began a prayerful response to God we read. . .
“(16) Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘WHO AM I, O LORD God, and WHAT IS MY HOUSE, that you have brought me thus far? (17) And THIS WAS A SMALL THING IN YOUR EYES, O GOD. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God!’” ( 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 ESV)

“A small thing”? Didn’t David see it as a big thing to be honored in such a way? After all, God had taken David from a pasture to a palace; from being a shepherd of sheep to becoming a prince over His people. (vs.7) Was he trivializing what God said He would do? No! It was a big deal! It was a great blessing! David was greatly honored! (vs.18) However, David compared the blessing with the AWESOME GREATNESS of God. In David’s view that there was no other like God to do all that He had so powerfully done (vs.20), COMPARED TO GOD’S GREATNESS and power that cannot be fathomed, this was in reality a small thing for Him to do. There were greater things God had done, but this was also one thing He had chosen to do. Such a view ACKNOWLEDGES GOD’S GREATNESS and also reveals a sense of trust in His ability and willingness to carry out even the smallest of things.

The ways in which God blesses our life, reveals His interest in us and may be rightly viewed as huge. However, all of this in reality is “a small thing” for God; just a pinch of THE AWESOME POWER He has over all! As Paul declared to those at Corinth, “the weakness of God is stronger than men.” ( 1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV) There is just no comparison! There is none like Him! The GREAT POWER He works on our behalf is an EASY THING FOR HIM to do! May we therefore retain our confidence in God to fulfill all He has promised to do.

Have a great day ENCOURAGED BY GOD’S AWESOME POWER FOR EVEN US!
Carl

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