I thought I was a homeowner, but it turns out I am a tenant. A tenant - a renter - doesn't lay claim to the place of residence; he is merely a temporary occupant.
"For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope." (1 Chronicles 29:15)
These words are part of the recorded prayer of King David, near the end of his life, when offerings were made for the great temple that his son, Solomon, would build. As David considered the immense greatness of Yahweh God, and the temple to be built for His worship and glory, he considered the lowly condition of himself and his people. In contrast to the Almighty, we His creation are mere travelers; temporary residents in this present age. The sum of our lives is "like a shadow", and there is no hope of avoiding the end of our days. A rather dismal picture, huh?
David's words, rather than reflecting a pessimistic outlook on life, reflect a realism necessary for true living. The sooner we see how temporary we really are, the more urgently we seek the eternal. There is nothing "business-as-usual" about living; each passing moment is indeed rare and fleeting. As tenants, we temporarily reside in this world as we await the world to come. And, as tenants, we do well to give all respect and honor to the true homeowner, as David did:
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name." (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).
As a tenant in God's house, I am moved by David's words of praise. Heartfelt appreciation and awe are reflected by David as he pondered God's greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. He saw the true ownership that God uniquely has, and willingly expressed his gratitude to the One who is truly source of all. May we join this day in similar praise and gratitude: "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope." (1 Chronicles 29:15)
These words are part of the recorded prayer of King David, near the end of his life, when offerings were made for the great temple that his son, Solomon, would build. As David considered the immense greatness of Yahweh God, and the temple to be built for His worship and glory, he considered the lowly condition of himself and his people. In contrast to the Almighty, we His creation are mere travelers; temporary residents in this present age. The sum of our lives is "like a shadow", and there is no hope of avoiding the end of our days. A rather dismal picture, huh?
David's words, rather than reflecting a pessimistic outlook on life, reflect a realism necessary for true living. The sooner we see how temporary we really are, the more urgently we seek the eternal. There is nothing "business-as-usual" about living; each passing moment is indeed rare and fleeting. As tenants, we temporarily reside in this world as we await the world to come. And, as tenants, we do well to give all respect and honor to the true homeowner, as David did:
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name." (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).
As a tenant in God's house, I am moved by David's words of praise. Heartfelt appreciation and awe are reflected by David as he pondered God's greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. He saw the true ownership that God uniquely has, and willingly expressed his gratitude to the One who is truly source of all. May we join this day in similar praise and gratitude: "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:26 AM
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