Come to Him in Humility

By Hannah Bolden

“’But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes, and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.’ Then David said to the whole assembly, ‘Praise the Lord your God.’ So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.”—1 Chronicles 29:14–20 (NIV)

Sometimes, I get a big ego when I accomplish something big. At work, when I have a difficult task, I see it almost as a challenge to complete it in record time and with no mistakes. Sometimes I fail, but sometimes I succeed. In those moments, I lose sight of the truth—that all I’ve achieved is because of God’s hand in my life.

We’re unworthy of many things that happen in our lives; however, God chooses to bless us anyway. He loves us so much that He blessed us with the greatest gift of all: His son, Jesus Christ. In this passage, David not only offers his thanks to the Lord, but he approaches Him with deep humility and unwavering integrity.

In a moment of gratitude, David acknowledges his unworthiness to receive such a gift from those around him. He humbly approaches the Lord and gives praise in front of the whole assembly. This is how we ought to approach God every day. Some days, we may get overwhelmed by the darkness that surrounds our culture. It may feel like there are more bad circumstances than good ones. These good things may be even fewer and farther between, but it’s important to recognize that God is working, even if we don’t see it. All that is good comes from the Lord, as James 1:17 proclaims. As we acknowledge these gifts from the Lord, we’ll start to see the enduring beauty of God’s creation all around us.

Beyond that, it’s essential we take what we've been given and intentionally dedicate it to the Lord. Our calling in life is to walk alongside the Lord, shining His light so others, too, may be touched by His goodness. As David states in this passage, “Everything comes from [God]” and we need to be good stewards of what He’s given us.

Whether it’s money, food, or a special talent, all these blessings come from the Lord. Is there any better way to honor Him than by giving back in abundance? We can find ways to do this in our churches, local charities, or even at work. God presents ways for us to put His gifts to good use every day. We just have to humbly approach the Lord and ask Him to work through us.

Pause: Think about the resources you have in your life. Are you using them in a way that honors God? If not, take a moment and reflect on how they can be used to honor the Lord.

Practice: Whether it’s through your time, knowledge, or financial assistance, there are ways to honor the Lord. Take some time to pray to the Lord about the gifts you’ve received. Give thanks to the Lord for all He’s blessed you with and ask how you can dedicate all you’ve received back to Him.

Pray: Father, thank You for all You’ve blessed me with. I know that no matter how hard I work, it’s ultimately Your will that blesses me. I pray for the humility to honor You and bless You in front of everyone—for Yours is the kingdom and the glory. Show me the ways I can honor You today with all You’ve given me. Thank You for guiding me through each day, whether good or bad. Amen.