Today’s readings.. (1 Chronicles 17), (Ezekiel 29), (Galatians 3), (Galatians 4)
 
    Today we read King David’s reaction to the special message from God that Nathan the prophet brought to him. Originally Nathan, on hearing of David’s desire to build a house (Temple) for God to ‘dwell’ in so that God’s ‘presence’ would be there as it had been in the ‘Ark’ – told him, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you” [1 Chron.17 v.2] But God sends Nathan back to David with a new and remarkable message.  
David is not to build God a Temple, but “the LORD will build you a house” [v.10] meaning a ‘house’ in the sense of a line of descent, like the present Queen of England is of ‘the house of Windsor.’
    God’s message is about both David’s immediate chosen son – Solomon – but also, wonderfully beyond that to a much greater son “ … I will establish his throne forever.  I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son, I will not take my steadfast love from him … I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever …” [v.12-14]
    David’s reaction to this is the exclamation, “Who am I?” He is totally humbled and overwhelmed by this revelation of the ultimate future God had revealed.  David, in humility says, “What is my house” you have “spoken of your servants house for a great while to come …” [v.17]; he prayerfully says,  “and now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as you have spoken, that your name (reputation) will be established and magnified forever …” [v.23,24].
    Jesus is constantly referred to as “the son of David” and will one day sit on  David’s throne: the angel said this to Mary (Luke 1 v.32).  Should we not ourselves reflect on David’s exclamation “Who am I!”?  As David was overwhelmed by the vision God revealed, should not we, if we are committed baptised followers of Christ, also say “Who am I?” to have such a prospect as Jesus reveals, for he said, “The one who conquers and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations …” [Rev. 2 v.26]   
    What an awesome challenge when Christ is reigning and “he shall judge between the nations, and decide disputes for many peoples.” [Isa.2 v.4] ‘Who am I’ we ask ourselves – to be part of the task of bringing order to this utterly chaotic world – made even more so by events at Christ’s return!