FINISHING WELL
Opening Prayer
Lord, may Your living water refresh my spirit today
Read 2 Samuel 23:1–7
These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs:
2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.’
5 “If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
they are burned up where they lie.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of a Christian who has passed away who ran the race to the end. What did you admire about his or her life?At funerals we hear about the life of the person who has died. What do you want to be said of you in your eulogy? David knows this is the end of his life; he utters these words in the form of a poem.
His life certainly had its ups and downs; his journey was not always easy. Yet David is able to point to God and give him glory. Some see here an allusion to the Trinity—the Father, the God of Israel (3), the Spirit of the Lord (2), and Jesus the Son, “the Rock of Israel” (3; 1 Cor. 10:4).
David writes of an encounter with this Rock of Israel (3), who spoke to David about righteousness, justice and the light that is to come (3,4). David’s faith is in God’s everlasting commitment in covenant relationship with his people (5). He had lived a full life, but he knew that there was more to come. His life was pointing to the true King, the “Son of David,” who on that great day will come to bring the sunshine of the light of his perfect rule on the world (3,4). But the Rock of Israel will not only come as Savior, but also as Judge (6,7).
Apply
Is there an area of your Christian life that you have become “weary in doing good” (Gal. 6:9)? Recommit today to push ahead and finish the race well.
Closing prayer
God, help me to run the race in Your strength and finish well.
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