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Life Of David: Part 7 Series
Contributed by Nate Buchner on Oct 5, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: David Prepares to Die
It does not always happen this way, yet I would not go so far as to call the situation unique. I have personally witnessed it on a few occasions. There, the family has gathered around the death bed of the loved one, tears streaming down their face, silently waiting for the end. Yet, the person you would most expect to be in need of comfort at the moment, the person who’s dying, they’re the ones who encouraging and cheering up. They’re the one with a smile on their face, and a heart that is bursting with hope and expectation. This is not to say that death is not a cause for tears and sorrow. It very much is. Jesus, knowing that he would raise Lazarus from the grave within minutes, cried himself at the graveside. But, as that loved one can teach us, death is also a time of great celebration and a time of refocusing.
David in our lesson knew that he was about to die. So, he called on his son Solomon, the man who would take up the throne next. Once Solomon had come he said this, “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
Notice who’s talking here. Not Solomon, but David. Just like we were talking about, the loved one who’s dying has a tremendous opportunity to speak of the hope there is in Jesus. Yet, it’s not as if David just was plopped into this situation. His whole life he continued to return back to his Lord. Yes, he was guilty at times. Yes, there were times his faith was in serious jeopardy. But, because of the Holy Spirit’s work, David continued to return to the Lord.
Let’s face it. Death is coming. But, yeah, I know, for some of us, it’s a way off, though. Not necessarily. Just on Facebook this past week one of my friends posted a picture of his brother who’s been dead more than five years. The guy was in his early 20’s. One of my first grade classmates died in a house fire. We all know of times when our youth were the ones to die. It may not be the norm, but it is far from unusual.
The truth of the matter is that death is possible at any moment. Yet, you are living as if we have time. You are treating the situation with the attitude that you’ll deal with it when it gets here. What happens though if that moment is today? Are you ready to meet your maker? Like Jesus told us, it’s coming as a thief in the night. It will be here sooner than you know. So why is it that we aren’t taking the Word more seriously? Why do we only have 40 or so members in bible class (a class which by the way is speaking of the end!)? Why are you too awkwarded out about talking to your children about Jesus, when death could be right around the corner for them too? Why are you not preparing your own self for this with more dedication, instead of just lollygagging around? Old age is a blessing from the Lord because it’s a sure sign we’re all mortal. Yet, not all of you will receive that blessing. Be prepared.
Yet, even if you haven’t been taking care of yourself spiritually doesn’t mean that you don’t have a chance now. It is not easy, but it is worth it. Look at what David tells his son, “Be a man. Observe what God says. Walk in his ways.” Yikes. Just a little intimidating of a prospect. If we’re already failing, how are we going to find the resolve and the wisdom to turn our lives around?
The fact of the matter is you’re not going to be able to on your own. When he tells Solomon here to be a man, he’s not saying, “Find the intestinal fortitude and strength within yourself!” Nor is he meaning for Solomon to spout off all of these self-empowerment mantras to be able to do this. Instead, in order to be strong, David directs him to the Word of the Lord. Go to the Scriptures, listen to the Lord, walk in his ways.