It’s one of those questions that causes you to pause. Although the details and circumstance are different, the question resonates deep within . . . you can enter into the mind and heart of the asker and along him inquire of God as to the reason. Just a three word question . . . just 6 letters . . . but one deep meditative query . . . . “Who am I?”

Reading in 2Samuel . . David has been anointed king over a reunited Israel . . . he has taken Jerusalem and established it as the capital of Israel and more importantly as Zion, the city of God . . . the ark has been moved to the city . . . and David, recognizing God’s favor in this “post-Saul” season of life, desires in his heart to build a more permanent structure for the ark of God. After all, David’s dwelling is in a house of cedar, the ark is in a tent of animal skins . . . shouldn’t something be done for such a great God? David desires to build God a house . . . but . . . God says, “Hold on a sec . . .

“And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. . . . I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom . . . I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2Samuel 7:11b-16 ESV)

“Build me a house?” God says, “Not right now . . . instead, I’m going to build you a house . . . an everlasting heritage . . . an eternal throne . . . a forever established reign.” Talk about your “exceeding expectations.” Talk about your “above and beyond.” Talk about your “whodda’ thunk?” And what do you do when you realize that God’s river of blessing is more like flood . . . that His grace is not just amazing but abundant . . . that His love is not just shed abroad in our hearts but envelopes us completely? What do you do? What can you do? . . . but ask a three word, six letter question . . .

“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?'” (2Samuel 7:18 ESV)

When David hears the word of the Lord . . . as he fully comprehends the implications of the promises of God . . . he sits down. It’s not about getting busy to make God something in appreciation . . . it’s about resting . . . and reflecting . . . and then responding . . . “Who am I, O Sovereign God?”

I love to read the promises of God . . . I love to claim the promises of God . . . but God forbid that I should presume upon the promises of God or feel any sense of entitlement. Instead, the promises of God, should from time to time be a catalyst for me to humble myself in awe and wonder and wonder afresh, “Why me, Lord?” To be reminded that who I am is not who I was . . . but that He chose to love who I was . . . and determined to transform me into who I am . . . and purposes to complete the work He begun and make me into who I will be in the fullness of that day when I am with Him.

Who am I? I am a sinner saved by grace . . . I once was lost but now am found . . . I am purchased from the slave market of sin . . . I am a holder of a heavenly passport indicating my citizenship in heaven . . . I am an adoptee, brought freely and fully into all the rights of sonship and made a joint heir with the Son of God . . . whoever I am, it is because of what He has done. It is because He has chosen to love me regardless of who I was.

Oh, to take a few moments now and then and marvel at the promises of God . . . to remember that “all the promises of God in [Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God” (2Cor. 1:20) . . . and to humble myself before the God of promises and in loving, appreciative worship, lift my voice to heaven and say, “Who am I, O Lord God . . . that you have brought me thus far?” Oh, to Him be all praise and glory . . . amen?