You are the ruler of all things
1 Chronicles 29:12 - David loved and honored God, confessed his sins (even if he didn’t always repent of them), and gave thanks to God for all of his fame, power, and fortune.
“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
1 Chronicles 29:12 NIV
King David was very blessed by God during his lifetime, and he thanked the Lord through constant praise, worship, and prayer. He blessed generations of believers with many of the Psalms, and he is a human ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17). According to several sources, David is mentioned in the Bible approximately 1,100 times — that’s second only to Jesus.
It’s no surprise, then, that David is the primary subject of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and 1 Kings, and is mentioned and quoted throughout Scripture. What makes David so approachable to many of us is that he came from humble beginnings and became the third king of Israel, and his life journey was not exactly perfect. Like all of us, he made mistakes and he definitely sinned! But through it all, he loved and honored God, confessed his sins (even if he didn’t always repent of them), and gave thanks to God for all of his fame, power, and fortune.
In today’s verse, David acknowledges God’s ultimate role in his life. He knows that God is the source of all wealth and honor. In this verse, King David is speaking to the people of Israel and recognizing that both material blessings and social status originate from God. Much of the wisdom literature in the Bible repeats this theme of God as the source of all wealth and honor.
David also admits that God is “the ruler of all things”. The King might have dominion over God’s people, but ultimately it is the omnipotent Lord that is in control of everything in the universe. During King David’s reign, Israel was establishing itself as a nation under the rule of God. God’s sovereignty is also the subject of other scriptures, for example: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalms 103:19). This is also found in the New Testament, as Jesus declares in Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Once again, the Old Testament points to Jesus!
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Looking at the second part of this verse, David attributes all power and strength to God. The wording “In your hands” evokes a powerful image of God’s active involvement in the world, as in Isaiah 41:10:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God’s power is on display throughout the Bible, from the creation of the universe in Genesis to the many miracles of Jesus chronicled in the Gospels. God’s ultimate display of might was displayed in the resurrection of Christ.
The last phrase, “to exalt and give strength to all,” shows that God elevates and empowers His people according to His will. God exalted people like Joseph and David by raising them to positions of leadership and power. The strength that God gives “to all” may not necessarily be physical or political strength — it can also be spiritual strength. Think of Philippians 4:13, Paul’s admission that “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Finally, David’s prayer here foreshadows our future hope of being exalted with Christ, as Peter promised in 1 Peter 5:6 - “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, all power and might are in Your hands, and You alone give strength and honor. Riches and glory come from You, for You rule over all. Teach us to trust in Your provision and to walk humbly in Your grace. May our hearts overflow with gratitude, knowing that every blessing we have is a gift from You. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.