“Who am I, O Sovereign LORD . . . that you have brought me this far?”
2 Samuel 7:18
Honestly, who am I to complain to the Lord about how frustrated I am of my seemingly endless struggles and suffering? Of course, it is out of immense pain that I demand an explanation from him, but what if I turn my questions around? Instead of asking why this pain remains, what if I ask him why so much grace has been poured onto me and why I have been protected and kept safe all this time? If I asked him this, I think the simple answer would be that it is because he loves me. We must remember that our God is gracious and merciful to his children, compassionate to the hurting, just and righteous in all his ways, and always faithful to his promises to us. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, his truths all-encompassing, and always present in every situation, everywhere. Out of his sovereignty he has chosen me, created me, and saved me, and he desires to refine me according to his good purposes. God has brought me safe thus far because he has promised to carry to completion his work of sanctification in me. He is a God who is able to and will keep me from falling. He will present me before his glorious throne without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).
These truths are sufficient to fully answer all the questions I can ever come up with, be they questions about my joys or sorrows, my easy or hard times. They leave me completely humbled and feeling tiny and small, but this is precisely the place where I should be. Realizing my deep need for and utter dependence on God is where I can begin to come to terms with my circumstances. I may not fully understand all the intricate details of his plans for me, but I do know this: every breath I take and every pleasant and unpleasant moment I experience is a gift given by this indescribable Lord whom I have described. Because he desires to work nothing but good for my life, I know that it is his grace and strength alone that has sustained and will continue to sustain me, no matter what comes my way.
Prayer
Dear Lord, why do you love me so much? Why do you protect me and keep me safe? Who am I that you have chosen me, created me, saved me from hell, and given me the gifts of your Holy Spirit and eternal life? Thank you for promising to complete the work of sanctification in me. I believe your promise that you will present me before your glorious throne without fault and with great joy. Your desire is to work nothing but good in my life. Your grace and strength alone have sustained me and will continue to sustain me, no matter what trials will come my way. Thank you. I pray these things in the loving and sovereign name of Jesus my Lord, amen.
Practical application
· Write down this verse twenty times: “Who am I, O sovereign Lord, that you have brought me this far?”
· After writing each sentence, thank God for his goodness and faithfulness to you. Remind yourself each time that his love for you is perfect, eternal, and not something you can, or have to, earn.
Have you ever counted how many times you complain to God and people in an average day? How might you acknowledge and express your frustrations about your suffering in a healthy way, while still focusing on the goodness and faithfulness of God to you?– Adapted from the book ‘Overwhelmed Again’ by Dr. Peter Golin and Dr. Winnie Chung
