Final words are important and this leader is about to speak his final words and we have the privilege of having them recorded for posterity. Could you ever find such expressions anywhere else?
These are remarkable opening words, and especially when they are probably going to be your last and final words.
David, the King of Israel, with all his weaknesses and vulnerabilities, was exalted by the Most High God, and David was anointed by Almighty God through the prophet Samuel, and David was Israel's singer of songs.
This is an astonishing description of a very ordinary man who had been a shepherd boy but God had stooped down and raised him up and used him mightily throughout the land.
The Spirit of God spoke through this man, giving us songs to sing for some three thousand years, and dire warnings regarding how we need to be careful as to how we live our lives.
You will find all the amazing details of this in the second book of Samuel in the Old Testament section of the Bible and at Chapter 23.
God spoke to David saying that when a leader leads well, that leader is like a light to the people. He sheds abroad brightness, and the light and the moisture produce grass, which means nourishment for animals and people in the Middle East.
His light is like the light of morning shining from a cloudless sky. That is a leader worth paying attention to and seeking to have that same light. If you are in a position of leadership, and no matter where you may serve in leadership, seek this clarity and brightness and be such an example to those around you.
Oh how we need such leaders in the present days. They are scarce indeed.
Is there a President or Prime Minister who would have the courage to lead with such dynamism and integrity?
If our business and banks and boardrooms had leaders with these very simple but essential qualities we could have been spared much trouble and suffering and pain as economies collapse, but men would not listen to God. They thought they could do better. Sin demands a horrendous price.
They thought they did not require the profound yet simple teaching of the Word of God, saying, we will go our own way and it has turned out to be rather disastrous.
David has made his peace with God, as we all have to do. We today make our peace with God through Jesus Christ Who is the Light of the world. Make your peace with God and then shine. That is God's way. That is God's method.
Verses 6 and 7 give us the contrast where serious reference is made to the evil. Notice that there is no category in between.
Last words are so important. David is getting prepared to die well. Very few people prepare to die well.
With economies failing and currencies on the verge of collapse and immorality increasing and escalating is the Government leader out there in the White House in Washington or in Downing Street, London, who will have the courage to bow before the Lord God Almighty and seek His Word and His ways and His guidance?
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org/ entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
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