TEXT:
‘Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase?’ – 2 Samuel 23:5
THOUGHT:
This teaching is the third in the King David trilogy and is taken from 2 Samuel 23:1-7. It is about the thoughts or positive confession of David towards the end of his life. Not the confession of his sins, but of the promises of God. There are some wonderful truths to be discovered than can shape our lives and help us understand why David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart – Acts 13:22.
- Keep going to the end and then look back over your life with thankfulness – ‘Now these are the last words of David’
He lived a life of praise and thankfulness often in the midst of great difficulty. It started early in his life as a psalmist and musician while still a young shepherd boy. Many of the psalms were written by David when he went through a crisis but then came into blessing as God intervened. Too many leave this life in bitterness and regret. Not so David! At the end he was still being influenced and inspired by the Holy Spirit. His relationship with God was as real as during those early years. We see a parallel with the Apostle Paul when he wrote, ‘The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ – 2 Timothy 4:7.
- Praisers are more likely to hear God speaking to them than complainers – ‘The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue’
Complainers are too busy complaining to listen. Moses had his fill of them during the wilderness years and God’s anger was unleashed against the murmurers – Numbers 11:1. For the Christian to live a life of complaining is a contradiction especially if we claim to believe, ‘All things are working together for good’– Romans 8:28. The Bible say, ‘Be thankful’ – Colossians 3:15. ‘With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God’ – Philippians 4:6. Then God will be able to speak His word to bring His peace into our lives. If you are having difficulty hearing from God, check out your thankfulness.
- God sets high standards, especially for leaders – ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God’
James warns in his epistle, ‘Dear brothers, don’t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others’ – 3:1. In evangelism we come across many people claiming to be good enough to get to heaven. But who are they comparing themselves with? Certainly not Jesus! One would have to be perfect to get to heaven without needing Jesus, and no one is, ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’ – Romans 3:23. If leaders are to lead effectively, whether in the home, church or society, there must be:
Fear – a reverence of the Lord – ‘Ruling in the fear of the Lord’
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ – Proverbs 1:7. Godly fear is good and necessary.
Fairness – ‘He who rules over men must be just’
A willingness to listen to both sides equally, not swayed by those who can exert influence or offer bribes.
Freshness – ‘And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain’ – v4
Leadership can be very demanding, but if we will do it God’s way, there will be a daily refreshing. Just as the dew refreshes the grass so God can revitalise leaders ready for the challenges of another day.
- Grace is given to compensate for imperfection – ‘Although my house isnot so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase?’
Hallelujah! Blessed in spite of me! Knowing David’s sin, mistakes and imperfections, God still chose to bless him. ‘Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more’ – Romans 5:20. David could scarcely believe God wanted to treat him that way. Knowing the real “me” can destroy my faith if I am not careful, but, ‘If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart’ – 1 John 3:20. The hymn writer summed it up in a wonderful way when he wrote, “Amazing Grace”. Thank God the past does not have to prevent God from blessing our present and our future. Do not look at yourself but at Him. Grace brings the favour of God into the lives of those who least deserve it, when they have faith in Jesus.
- Handle carefully those who are rebellious v6-7
Protect yourself well so you are not hurt or damaged by those who have a rebellious nature. It is not easy clearing away brambles and thorns but being suitably dressed and equipped minimises the risks. God resists the proud and rebellious and we need to do the same too. Otherwise they will have a detrimental effect on our faith and obedience.
Sin reminds us of why we think God cannot bless us or even want anything to do with us. God, however, declared everyone is a sinner, so that everyone could benefit from His grace. When was the last time you said a real, heart-felt “Thank you” to the Lord for what you have and what He has brought you through? However old you are, it’s never too late to start saying “Thank you”. Try it right now and see what happens!
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