Look How Far You’ve Come

By Dean Collins

We all have difficult moments. Quite often, we have difficult years or seasons of life. Regardless of the kind of challenges or difficulties we face, it is normal—maybe even necessary—to focus on the problem. If we ignore the financial challenge, the medical diagnosis, or the family dysfunction, things likely will not get any better.

Sometimes, though, we get stuck focusing on the mess we are in and fail to see how far we have come or that there is hope for the future. It is easy to forget how many victories we have experienced in the past or to consider just how far we have come in our lives.

There are many words of encouragement that you have likely given to a friend or family member when they have experienced some setback or stalled in their growth or progress in life. I wonder how many times we have all said to someone, “But look how far you have come!”

In 1 Chronicles 17, we find King David reflecting on this very topic. Chronicles records a summary of David’s many accomplishments. Toward the end of his life, as he considered his situation as king, he wanted to do something to honor God. Living in a palace, he thought it was only appropriate that he build a temple for the Ark of God. He considered the tabernacle and thought it would be so much better if the presence of God could have a permanent place.

David, like us, seemed to forget that God doesn’t reside in or is limited by physical space. God is all-powerful and always present.

The prophet Nathan first told King David to do what was in his heart. However, God later revealed to Nathan that it would be David’s son Solomon who would be given the privilege of building the Temple. God then revealed through his prophet that He had a bigger role for King David.

“I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”

As David contemplated what God had revealed, he was overwhelmed that from his lineage God would establish a permanent kingdom! It was overwhelming to David, and he responded with these words:

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”

God’s promise had an immediate fulfillment in David’s son Solomon, who would build the Temple and continue David’s royal line. But the promise pointed beyond Solomon to a kingdom that would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom would have no end.

We, as believers, now live as citizens of that kingdom through Christ, and we will experience its fullness throughout eternity. We are sons and daughters of the King and ambassadors of his kingdom, yet we often forget just how far we’ve come!

I don’t know who or what you thought you might grow up to be one day, but I’m guessing you didn’t think you would be a child of the King! Or that you would be an ambassador charged with representing King Jesus in the world today.

We have, we do, and we will experience setbacks and challenges in our lives until King Jesus returns and completes the renewal and restoration of all things. But maybe today—and even with increased frequency—we might look back and consider just how far God has brought us. And then imagine how Jesus might use us, even today, to spread the good news of the kingdom of God to someone nearby.

Father, we are awestruck when we consider just how far you have brought us. Thank you for canceling our debt of sin and allowing us to be united with you through Christ Jesus our Lord. Use us today to encourage someone else as we remind them of who you are and what you have done for them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
1 Chronicles 17:5–27 ESV

Photo by Pexels
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.