The Me Generation:

Over the last generation or two it seems our culture has developed an out of balance sense of entitlement. While standing up for what is right is a good thing, it seems to have gone well beyond that. How many times have you heard “It’s just not fair”? From toddlers to adults, humanity just seems to think they deserve special treatment of one sort or another.

I believe that this stems from a prideful spirit, an over inflated view of self-worth which leads to selfishness, and the lack of gratitude. The “Me Generation” stems all the way back to the 1970’s as narcissism started to be more prevalent in our youth. This sense of entitlement often leads to a certain sense of laziness and even defiance. It is a culture where the focus is on “Me”, not “Us”, and definitely not “You”.

Keep this in mind as we continue to be someone who seeks after God’s own heart. Today’s Scripture is 2 Samuel 7:18-21:

King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God! What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master God!

As we read this, I want to draw out four points.

First, David went in and took his place before God and prayed. In the New American Standard Version it says he went in and sat before the Lord. I’m guessing this meant that David actually went into the tent where the Arc of the Covenant was kept to enter into the presence of God. As he “sat” before the Lord it would have been like sitting on your heals in front of royalty. This demonstrated a sense of reverence or respect before God.

Second, David recognized his place before God: “Who am I”, “What is my family”, “You know me just as I am”. These statements shout out Humility. He knows his place, and his place is an unworthy one! He remembers where he came from, the life he had as the youngest son, as the one designated to watch after he sheep. Who am I that you have brought this far in life? Not only does he see that he is unworthy, but he sees what God has done for him.

Third, David is grateful for all God has done for him. Taking him from the fields of sheep to King of Israel. While I didn’t go into the details, this prayer of David’s is in response to God’s covenant with David. The Covenant that promises not only to make his name great, that his son too would be king, and that his throne would be established forever; foreshadowing Jesus as a part of David’s line.

Lastly, David understood Grace. “You’ve done all this not because of who I am, but because of who you are”. This wasn’t because David had the faith to slay Goliath. This wasn’t because David respected God, or even that David was an Israelite. This was pure grace, unmerited favor.
So as we seek after God’s own heart, may we remember to be humble, may we remember who we really are, and be thankful for everything He has done, is doing, and will ever do in our lives. Remembering that it is not because of who we are or what we’ve done; rather it is because of who He is. For God so loved the world.