Prayer – Lord, the last words someone speaks are often the most remembered. Your last words, “It is finished” are quoted time and again—especially at Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Today I’m looking at David’s last words—recalling that he was a man after Your own heart—and a distant relative. What will my last words be? Likely, just like my parents… “Good-bye. I love you.” Simple words, but reassuring that love we all need to know. Your death and last words can give all Your followers hope—knowing that You loved us enough to die for us.
These are the last words of David: "David, the
son of Jesse, speaks—David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man
anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. "The
Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of
Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: 'The one who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a
morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.'
Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant
with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will
ensure my safety and success." 2 Samuel 23:1-5
Meditate. Consider God’s blessing on David.
He will ensure my safety and success. Strange words
to utter at the end of his life. Safety. Success. What will he need to be “safe”
from at the point of death? Was he claiming this safety and success for his family? David was already very successful—a great king and
mighty warrior. His soldiers were also strong and valiant, serving David and
the nation of Israel well. There were three of David’s men who were particularly
loyal and great leaders over the army. You can read about them in the book of 2
Samuel 23, just after the description of David’s last words.
David was honored that God had delegated him to be king and
to have his family chosen by God. The prophesy—a covenant—was for David’s
lineage to be everlasting.
The LORD swore an
oath to David with a promise he will never take back: "I will place one of
your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my
covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue
forever and ever." Psalm 132:11-12
David so often wrote in the Psalms about God’s mercy. In his last words he gives glory to God once more. Do we give glory to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—on a daily—even moment by moment basis? Don’t wait until the last minute of your life to honor God.
Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD will comfort Israel again
and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren
wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there.
Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air. "Listen to me, my people. Hear
me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light
to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the
way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will
look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and
gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the
earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die
like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!"
Isaiah 51:3-6
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
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