All that I have

“Praise be to you , O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things, in your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”   1 Chronicles 29:10-13

      David uttered this prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God as he passed the torch for building the temple to his son Solomon.  David had gathered much of the materials and wealth needed for this project.  David’s understanding of God’s power comes in verse 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Every thing comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”   How do you view the things that you ‘own’?   Do you consider them to be yours or do you attribute them to God’s providential hand of favor upon you?  The ‘it’s mine’ attitude leads us towards selfishness, self-centeredness and the delusional thinking that on our own we can make and produce things.  The ‘it’s His’ attitude and that all I have comes from God leads us toward thankfulness, a grateful spirit, and humility before Almighty God.  I am reminded of the words in Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Will you endeavor to walk humbly before God today acknowledging that all you have comes from Him? Will you praise Him, like David, as Sovereign Lord and Creator, full of majesty, power, strength and splendor in His glorious name?

Thanks be to my Lord and Savior,

Linda

The math teacher in me connected with this simple diagram that explains God’s providential care.