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May 21st
The Last Words of a King...David...not his death bed words to his wife and children, but his last poem put to music, expressing his heart thoughts and soul’s longings. 2 Samuel 22,23 and Psalm 57.
David was thinking on God’s wondrous benefits. Humbly confessing his own sins. Professing his own faith in the Lord. Comforting himself with thoughts of his covenant relationship with God. And one last time pronouncing a warning of destruction coming for those who would choose not to believe the Lord.
As Christopher Trapp put it, “Oh how much.... in so little.”
I'm older now than David was when he died. If he was inspired to sit down and write the most important thoughts in his mind and heart as a part of his legacy...so might I.
What a life was David’s. Son of a humble farmer, raised up by God to lead a nation. Anointed by God and then men. With a beautiful gift to express his innermost devotions for God to others.
David’s life was not perfect. He and his brothers couldn't get along. He and his wife struggled. He suffered repeated family crises, including an attempted insurrection by one of his sons. So-called friends bailed on him when things looked darkest. And yet, David recognized the grace and mercy of God upon his life.
He certainly had downtimes, that’s for sure. But even in the midst of the bad and the hard, God was drawing him ever closer to Him. And David knew it. And thus he repeatedly declared, “Bless the Lord O, my soul...”
David’s son, Solomon, reigned in Israel for 40 years after his father’s death. He blessed his father’s name and God used him to pen parts of our bible. His reign seemed perfect. He enjoyed a reign of peace and prosperity and glory in the world.
Yet the Bible has far more praise for David than Solomon. What made the difference. Well...Perhaps it had to do with their personal relationships with God. Perhaps the difference lay in spiritual desire...just guessing.
David desired fellowship with God...”For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the fine tents of wickedness...” Ps 84.
Solomon desired personal improvement from God. Including wisdom, which was honored by God. However, David wanted to worship God. Solomon wanted to impress God.
The biblical record shows another difference between David and his successful son. David endured to the end. Loving and serving God through the final chapters of his life. Solomon forsook God in his later years.
This so reminds me of Paul’s commentary on fellow disciple, Demas...found in his second letter to Timothy. “...because Demas has loved this world, he has deserted me...and gone to Thessalonica.”
Demas and Solomon both had good starts on their missions with the Lord. And sadly, they both failed to finish well.
Lord, help us to be of a mind and heart, above all else, to love and worship You...to the end of our days.
Have a great day
