Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David.
He died at a ripe old age,
having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.
I Kings 2:10 & I Chronicles 29:28
Monday
Beloved, today we have gathered together to pay tribute to an extraordinary man. Generations to come will tell of his greatness; how God took a young boy from shepherding his father’s sheep, groomed him in the wilderness, and prepared him to become the shepherd of His people. His songs will be sung from one generation to the next. His faith in God and His word will inspire people throughout time. His testimony of God’s faithfulness in places of difficulty will encourage many in their darkest hours.
David’s legacy will live on in the life of his seed. God has promised him an enduring house. He has promised him that one from his loins will sit on the throne forever. Some have tried to gain the rule over God’s people through self-ambition and have endeavored to appoint themselves as king, but their plans have failed and God’s choice remains.
What will we remember about this mighty man? Will we remember his humble beginnings? With his last breath David reminded us from where he came. Will we remember the hardship he endured in the wilderness as jealous people sought to snuff out his flame? Honestly, who could forget it? Will we remember him as a mighty warrior? The people still sing, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” Will his songs be his greatest legacy? What psalmist could compare? Or perhaps some will choose to remember his failings, his sin. He only had one that made God’s list, and God forgave him for it. Unfortunately, many are not able to see his repentant heart, nor can they evaluate the tremendous consequences David paid for his sin. All they will remember is that he failed.
There are so many things that we can remember about this man, but the one that stands out above all the rest is that David was a man after God’s own heart! Two things David put a higher value on than anything else was God’s presence and His Word. Knowing God was his life’s ambition.
As we leave this gravesite today, may David’s songs continually remind us that we have a Rock, a Fortress, a Shelter in which we can hide. May we be reminded that every event and emotion we struggle with in our life’s journey finds release when we bring it into God’s presence. May we be encouraged to find God’s path and continually walk in it. And may we never lose hope that one day the eternal throne of David will rule from Jerusalem and he will forever have a Seed to reign on his throne!
Tuesday – Friday
Although we have buried David, we will spend the next few weeks pouring over his life as we read through the Psalms. We will be reminded of his high points and his low points. We will stand with him on the mountaintop as he declares God’s greatness, and sit with him in the valley as he struggles with feelings of abandonment. One thing remained constant no matter what David faced, he knew his answers lay in seeking God. If he were enjoying success, he would remember where he had come from and remind himself that he was only there because of God’s choice. If he were in a place of wandering and struggle, he would remember God’s promises and hold on to them because he knew God was faithful to His word.
David wasn’t afraid to have God search his inner thoughts. Sometimes he asked God to do it because he knew the integrity of his heart. Other times he bowed to God’s scrutiny because he knew the heart is deceitful and only God can reveal it. Let each Psalm remind you of all that this man went through in life, and may you be encouraged that God’s unfailing love is there for each of us as well.
The Psalms are filled with glimpses of the coming Messiah. Don’t miss their message of hope regarding the reign of the Son of David, the Eternal King. They are also filled with prophecies regarding Christ’s sacrifice. May they inspire praise for God’s faithfulness to accomplish His promises, and encourage your faith, knowing that He is able to fulfill all that He has spoken. And always remember that His lovingkindness endures forever!!!
He died at a ripe old age,
having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.
I Kings 2:10 & I Chronicles 29:28
Monday
Beloved, today we have gathered together to pay tribute to an extraordinary man. Generations to come will tell of his greatness; how God took a young boy from shepherding his father’s sheep, groomed him in the wilderness, and prepared him to become the shepherd of His people. His songs will be sung from one generation to the next. His faith in God and His word will inspire people throughout time. His testimony of God’s faithfulness in places of difficulty will encourage many in their darkest hours.
David’s legacy will live on in the life of his seed. God has promised him an enduring house. He has promised him that one from his loins will sit on the throne forever. Some have tried to gain the rule over God’s people through self-ambition and have endeavored to appoint themselves as king, but their plans have failed and God’s choice remains.
What will we remember about this mighty man? Will we remember his humble beginnings? With his last breath David reminded us from where he came. Will we remember the hardship he endured in the wilderness as jealous people sought to snuff out his flame? Honestly, who could forget it? Will we remember him as a mighty warrior? The people still sing, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” Will his songs be his greatest legacy? What psalmist could compare? Or perhaps some will choose to remember his failings, his sin. He only had one that made God’s list, and God forgave him for it. Unfortunately, many are not able to see his repentant heart, nor can they evaluate the tremendous consequences David paid for his sin. All they will remember is that he failed.
There are so many things that we can remember about this man, but the one that stands out above all the rest is that David was a man after God’s own heart! Two things David put a higher value on than anything else was God’s presence and His Word. Knowing God was his life’s ambition.
As we leave this gravesite today, may David’s songs continually remind us that we have a Rock, a Fortress, a Shelter in which we can hide. May we be reminded that every event and emotion we struggle with in our life’s journey finds release when we bring it into God’s presence. May we be encouraged to find God’s path and continually walk in it. And may we never lose hope that one day the eternal throne of David will rule from Jerusalem and he will forever have a Seed to reign on his throne!
Tuesday – Friday
Although we have buried David, we will spend the next few weeks pouring over his life as we read through the Psalms. We will be reminded of his high points and his low points. We will stand with him on the mountaintop as he declares God’s greatness, and sit with him in the valley as he struggles with feelings of abandonment. One thing remained constant no matter what David faced, he knew his answers lay in seeking God. If he were enjoying success, he would remember where he had come from and remind himself that he was only there because of God’s choice. If he were in a place of wandering and struggle, he would remember God’s promises and hold on to them because he knew God was faithful to His word.
David wasn’t afraid to have God search his inner thoughts. Sometimes he asked God to do it because he knew the integrity of his heart. Other times he bowed to God’s scrutiny because he knew the heart is deceitful and only God can reveal it. Let each Psalm remind you of all that this man went through in life, and may you be encouraged that God’s unfailing love is there for each of us as well.
The Psalms are filled with glimpses of the coming Messiah. Don’t miss their message of hope regarding the reign of the Son of David, the Eternal King. They are also filled with prophecies regarding Christ’s sacrifice. May they inspire praise for God’s faithfulness to accomplish His promises, and encourage your faith, knowing that He is able to fulfill all that He has spoken. And always remember that His lovingkindness endures forever!!!
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