I encounter David’s question twice a year in my reading plan. First in May, as it’s recorded in 2Samuel 7, then in July, where it’s recorded again in 1Chronicles. It’s David’s question, but I own it as my own.

David, wanting to build a house for the LORD, wanting to provide a space for the glory of God to dwell — a permanent home rather than a transient tent — is told instead by the prophet, Nathan, “the LORD will build you a house” (17:10). While David had in his heart a magnificent cathedral of cedar and gold for His God, His God had in mind a forever throne for David. To which David quiets his soul and ponders, “Who am I?”

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?”

(1Chronicles 17:16 ESV)

Who am I? It’s a reflect and remember sort of question. It’s an awe and wonder sort of question. And even though it’s a “me” question, it really is a “be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10) question?

O, the unfathomable depths of God’s grace. The inscrutability of God’s purposes. The incorruptible and unfailing reality of God’s promises. Who am I?

And, as David chews on God’s unmerited favor towards him, he expands his meditation to consider his community.

“And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be His people, making for Yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? And You made Your people Israel to be Your people forever, and You, O LORD, became their God.”

(1Chronicles 17:21-22 ESV)

Who is like Your people? Redeemed from bondage. Redeemed of God. Redeemed to be His people forever.

A motley crew. A whiny lot. Prone to wander. Slow to sanctification. Yet, redeemed forever, so that God might make for Himself “a name for great and awesome things.” Who are we?

Then, noodle long enough on “Who am I?” and “Who are we?”, and you can’t help but eventually ask, “Who is He?”

“There is none like You, O LORD, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

(1Chronicles 17:20 ESV)

There is no God like our God. There is no favor like His favor. No patience like His patience. No steadfast love like His unfailing love.

Who am I? I am a trophy of God’s grace solely because of God’s sovereign determination to enter into covenant relationship with me. Counted as holy and credited with Christ’s righteousness. Being conformed to the image of Jesus, transformed into holiness, by the regenerating work of the Spirit.

Who are we? We are a special people, redeemed through the shed blood of the Son. We are a holy temple where the glory of the living God is in the midst through the Spirit (Eph. 2:21-22). We are a sanctified bride in the making, one day to be presented to Him “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

Who is He? He is God and God alone.

His grace all sufficient to complete the saving work begun in us. Our salvation the source of eternal glory for Him.

Amen?