The Source of Secret Strength

If you want to know how to pray effective prayers, find the great men and women in the scriptures who prayed and watch how they did it. We come to David's response in 2 Samuel 7 to God's promise to build him a house and establish his kingdom forever. The words that come from David are eloquent, exalting the Lord and submitting his blessing to His plan and purpose. They also provide us with a key to secret strength as people whom God chooses and uses for His purposes.


2 Samuel 7:18–19 (ESV) 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? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!

I love the picture of David sitting before the Lord. This is a humble posture. He's overwhelmed with God's promises made to him earlier in the chapter. What can David do but bask in awe of God's goodness?

David's words first reflect a humbled heart. He responds with wonder at God's marvelous grace in seeking to do such good for him. There's no entitlement spirit. David refers to himself as God's "servant" or "slave" 9 times in 11 verses!

Second, we see David's gratitude for God as he scatters praise throughout the prayer:

2 Samuel 7:22 (ESV) Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
2 Samuel 7:26 (ESV) And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you.

2 Samuel 7:28 (ESV) And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

David writes in the Psalm that God's "praise would continually be in his mouth." (Psalm 34:1). David did not just say it, he lived it. Seven verses later, David says,  "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8). Praise is gratitude. You are overjoyed at what you have and you share it and want others to experience it.

Finally, David concludes his words by seeking God's pleasure in God's blessings. David understands that all God's goodness is to be leveraged for others and not just for his benefit. He even points forward to Christ who is the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises to David.

2 Samuel 7:29 (ESV) Now, therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”

David's prayer is filled with humility and gratitude for the goodness of God.

Christian, herein lies the secret weapons of a Christian's strength: Humility and Gratitude. Where do I see strength? Keep reading into the next chapter. David goes on a military tear. He conquers king and nation after king and nation. He becomes so powerful that foes start sending him gifts! Read:
2 Samuel 8:1 (ESV) After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them...
2 Samuel 8:2 (ESV) And he defeated Moab ... And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

2 Samuel 8:3 (ESV) David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah...

2 Samuel 8:13 (ESV) David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

Victory after victory after victory... increase and prosperity. This on the heels of David's heartfelt prayer of humble gratitude for God's promises. Friends, this is why God gives you the promises in His word. So that you might know them and be secure in His love for you. And you know you are secure in His love, being both humbled and thankful for it, it empowers victory through you. 

You say, "I'm no David." Ah, but you can know the Son of David, Jesus Christ. And if you are IN Christ, the blessings of the TRUE Son of David are yours forever. God's acceptance, approval, goodness, and mercy follow you through life. You cannot lose. And when you know you cannot lose, you find the strength to fight and win.