WHY ME, OR WHY ME?

               WHY ME, OR WHY ME?

Isn’t it amazing what a difference context can make? I was struck by this as I read David’s response to God in 2 Samuel 7:18-21.
 ¹⁸ Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
   “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? ¹⁹ And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign LORD, is for a mere human!^[c]
   20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign LORD. ²¹ For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.”
Often our “Why me” moments are fueled by confusion or even despair over circumstances that may be very difficult. But once in a while we have a moment like David appears to have had here. A moment when we are smacked in the face by the absolutely unbelievable thought that He has chosen us, and our cry of “Why me?” takes on a totally different meaning. Can’t you see David? He went in and sat before the Lord. Plopped down, came to a screeching halt and said “Who am I?” What could I have possibly done to deserve your favor? Why? I deserve nothing good. My wicked heart cannot even desire to know you, if you don’t incline my heart toward you.  

The group Casting Crowns sings the following song “Who Am I?”

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

While I’m not sure that this song was inspired by the above passage, it certainly could have been. And my hope is that in my life the moments of stunned wonder at His grace to me would be a firmer foundation to support me when I encounter the “Why me?” moments when I cannot see the direction His sovereign love is taking me. That the contrasting “why me” moments would become entwined to strengthen my faith. As Randy Alcorn says, “Faith that cannot be shaken is faith that has been shaken.”