July 22, 2009
A Place of Thus Far
“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?’” 2 Samuel 7:18 (ESV)
Devotion:
Have you been in a place of “thus far?” A place where you find yourself in the constant misting of God’s blessing and favor on your life. Not blessings and favor by the world’s standards of materialism and wealth, but by the Lord’s standard of provision, protection, providence, and peace that come from walking with the Lord on a daily basis.
You arrive at the place by faith, following the Lord’s leading and trusting His ways, not your own. One day, as you meet with the Lord, like David, you sit and take summary of all the Lord has done for you. With compulsory praise and complete humility you say to the Lord, “Who am I that you have brought me thus far?”
Oh the places David had seen in his lifetime! From the grassy meadows, to the splendor of palace life, a drafty cave, back to the throne itself. Yes, King David had arrived at a place of “thus far” in his life. He had experienced every emotion that exists, from confidence to fear, love to hate, and sadness to joy. After all that King David had been through I can certainly understand why he needed to go sit before the LORD and ask, "Who am I?"
He was overwhelmed at the goodness of God and the faithfulness he had experienced. He had been through some of the toughest situations a person could go through, yet because He remained faithful God was allowing David to receive his just reward. I have to think the reward of kingship and royalty paled in comparison to knowing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Have you been there? Life has taken twists, turns, and changes at every bend, yet somehow for a season you have arrived at a place to receive abundant blessings from the Lord. You realize your place of thus pales in comparison to knowing and experiencing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
No matter what current circumstances you find yourself in, with our Living God there is always a place of “thus far” awaiting around the next bend. This is a place of celebration, praise, complete humility and gratitude before the Lord. I have discovered the hardships we go through are all worthwhile when we get to our place of “thus far.” In compulsory praise, with a humbled heart, we can pour our blessings back out to the Lord in praise and cry, “Who I am Lord, that you have brought me thus far?”
Dear Lord, forgive me when I fail to sit and take summary of Your tremendous favor in my life. The misting of blessings and favor are far superior to anything this world can afford me. Help me to remember my place of “thus far” when Your plan for my life leads me to another season that may be risky and cause me to walk by faith and not by sight. I offer this praise of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Related Resources:
Living Free in Christ-CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but I know I am, by Louie Giglio
Visit Wendy’s blog and resource page
Application Steps:
Find a place to sit quietly with the Lord. Take summary of His blessing and favor on your life. Write down all the Lord brings to mind. Read the list back to Him as a song of praise.
Reflections:
Is there anything in my life preventing me from entering the place of “thus far” the Lord has for me?
How can I use my time while in a place of “thus far” to be a blessing or encouragement to others?
Power Verses:
Psalm 52:9, “I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” (NIV)
Psalm 63:4, “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105