“O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.”

1 Chronicles 29:16

Before the start of a new year, we typically reflect on what happened during the current year. We think about the things we accomplished, remember the good and the not so good memories, and certainly the things we want and don’t want for the new year. In 1 Chronicles 29, the people of Israel were building a house for God. They brought many gifts such as silver, gold, brass, and iron. It is a blessing to be able to give. But what the people back then and today are saying is: here is what I did, gave, here’s what I can do, look at what I’m doing. The focus here is only on “I.”

Listen to the full audio reading of 1 Chronicles 29 here: (coming soon)

If you like would you heard, like, comment, share and subscribe to God Revives Me Devotional YouTube channel.

It’s easy to give when we are fortunate to have much. Or we think if we gave, then we’ve done our job; we can check it off our list. This can happen when we believe that what we give is ours, so therefore we can give it however we want. 

Starting in verse 13 of 1 Chronicles 29 David does something that we often forget or goes unnoticed: he begins acknowledging the one who made it possible for him and the people to give generously: God. David goes on to say that riches and honor comes from him, power, might and the ability to make great and give strength. Then David questions himself, reminding himself and the people that they are only giving God what already belonged to him. What we have isn’t ours but God’s. 

Though the people of Israel gave with a perfect heart, willingly to build the house, David still took the time to thank and acknowledge something very important: everything belongs to God, he is the source of our ability to give.

Taking the time to reflect humbles us. It reminds us to be grateful for the things we have and recognize who made it possible for us to have those things. As we reflect on the year 2019 and move into 2020, let’s not forget to thank and acknowledge our God for all that he’s done. 

My prayer for 2020 is, “Lord, let us not forget that it is you who made, makes and will make all things possible this new year. We thank you in advance for the answered prayers, blessings, healing, and deliverance you’ve already prepared for us in 2020.