Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
1 CHRONICLES 17:16 | 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?”
“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.”
David marvels at how God has brought him to the place where, as king, he is planning to build a temple in Jerusalem. God’s grace helped him become king against all the odds and despite Saul’s murderous opposition. It helped him navigate international intrigue and conflict, expanding Israel’s domain and uniting its desperate tribes around Jerusalem as a capital. It helped him through his abysmal failures and his awful betrayals, including the affair with Bathsheba and covert killing of her husband. It got him past family rebellions and tragedies. David knew his life as inconceivable without God’s help, direction, and grace.
John Newton identified with David’s attitude. He loved this verse and had in mind when he wrote this stanza, recalling his own journey from rebel to cleric.
Have you had dangers, toils, and snares?
Gracious God,
Let us live with the confidence that your saints know ups and downs, failures and struggles, and triumphs. Uphold us in temptations and troubles by your amazing grace.
Amen.
