Our Relation to God
W. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 17:16-18 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house… The attitude which David assumed and the words of devotion he uttered on this occasion are suggestive of the relation in which we stand to our Creator and Redeemer. We gather - I. THAT WE CANNOT BE LED TO A BETTER STATE THAN A DEEP SENSE OF OUR NOTHINGNESS AND THE DIVINE GREATNESS. When Nathan had delivered his message David placed himself in the posture of deliberate reflection (ver. 16), and, thus seated, he became possessed of a profound sense of his own unworthiness. "Who am I, O Lord, and what is my house?" etc. (ver. 16). He soon passed on to cherish a deep feeling of God's supremacy. "O Lord, there is none like thee," etc. (ver. 20). This is a most suitable end to any transaction between our God and ourselves. We are then arriving at the truth, reaching a place of spiritual safety, in an attitude that is most becoming, when we are impressed with our own nothingness and with the absolute greatness of our God and Saviour. II. THAT GOD NOT ONLY CALLS US TO SONSHIP, BUT TREATS US AS HIS CHILDREN. "Thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree" (ver. 17). This probably means that, in David's thought, God had treated him as one who was most exalted, and who might on that ground look for the largest things. At any rate it was true - if this be not the exact thought of the obscure passage - that God was treating David in a way which corresponded with the exalted position to which he had called him. And this truth has its illustration in the Divine dealing with all his sons. In the gospel we are all called to be the sons of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:2). And having reinstated us in this filial position, our heavenly Father treats us as the reconciled sons and daughters we have become. 1. He confides in us; not laying down a multitude of precepts in detail, but giving us a few living principles to apply for ourselves. 2. He gives us constant access to his person; whensoever we will we may approach and address him. 3. He chastens rather than punishes us (Hebrews 12:5-11). III. THAT GOD HAS CONFERRED ABOUNDING HONOUR ON US IN JESUS CHRIST. David felt that God had put so much honour on him that he did not know how he could ask for more (ver. 18). The utmost desires of his heart were fulfilled. And what more of honour and position could we have asked of God that he has not given us in the gospel of his grace? We are even said to be "kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6). 1. We are children of the heavenly Father: "now are we the sons of God." 2. We are heirs of God (Romans 8:17). 3. We are the friends of Christ (John 15:14, 15). 4. We are fellow-labourers with the living God, "workers together with him" (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Acts 15:4). What could we speak more for the honour of his servants? - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? WEB: Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?