Last Words

David’s “last words,” as recorded, are a song—a song of trust, of loftiest principle, and undying faith:

“David the son of Jesse saith,
And the man who was raised on high saith,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me: ….
One that ruleth over men righteously,
That ruleth in the fear of God,
He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth,
A morning without clouds,
When the tender grass springeth out of the earth,
Through clear shining after rain.
Verily my house is not so with God,
Yet he hath made me an everlasting covenant,
Ordered in all things, and sure:
For it is all my salvation, and all my desire” (2 Samuel 23:1-5, R.V.).

Great had been David’s fall, but deep was his repentance, ardent was his love, and strong his faith. He had been forgiven much, and therefore he loved much (Luke 7:48).

The psalms of David pass through the whole range of experience, from the depths of conscious guilt and self-condemnation to the loftiest faith and the most exalted communing with God. His life record declares that sin can bring only shame and woe, but that God’s love and mercy can reach to the deepest depths, that faith will lift up the repenting soul to share the adoption of the sons of God. Of all the assurances which His word contains, it is one of the strongest testimonies to the faithfulness, the justice, and the covenant mercy of God…. Glorious are the promises made to David and his house, promises that look forward to the eternal ages, and find their complete fulfillment in Christ.
Conflict and Courage p. 187
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Prayer Requests
—–I still need prayers for something at work. Ron
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Dear Friends,

I thought that I would share a very familiar song with you today. Its words should be the sentiment of our heart.

I’d Rather Have Jesus

Words by Rhea F. Miller

Music by George Beverly Shea

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold,

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway,

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause,

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause,

I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,

I’d rather be true to His holy name.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway,

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb,

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway,

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

When Jesus walked this earth, “one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, ….if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matt 19:16-22

This rich young man’s possessions were more important to him than was the One Who was giving His life that he might live eternally. Jesus tells us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” vs 24-26 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” 6:24

So it is with us. Throughout each day, we are making decisions for or against our Dear Saviour. Each day we have the opportunity to do His. Yet, how often we go through the day with scarcely a thought heavenward. How often our desires, our wishes, our plans are first and foremost in our mind. May we lay aside our plans and follow Jesus’ plan for our life, serving Him with our whole heart is my prayer.

Rose