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We have come to the closing years of David’s life. David – whom we know more about than any other human recorded in God’s Word. Because God spends so much time capturing David’s life, seen through the lens of Scripture, we have more truth explained about each era of life we face, than in any other place.

There are four concluding eras, or stages through which David passes on his way to Heaven. Those are what we’ll walk though in the days ahead. First, let’s survey some of the nuggets of truth for each stage. These are:

Truths that Can Anchor our Lives

Life Lesson 1: As we open to Psalm 71, we will see God show us through David’s life: How to get ready for growing old in a godly way.  God has truths to anchor us in godliness through the closing days of our lives.

Note especially these words in v. 18:

Now also when I am old and gray headed,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come.

Life Lesson 2: Then, as we turn back to Psalm 18, will see God show us through David’s life: How to magnify God to the last breath. God has truths to anchor us in magnifying Him through the closing days of our lives.

The verse to note is v. 1. This verse is the most outspokenly clear declaration of love for God found ANYWHERE in the Old Testament. This verse is the manifesto that shows why God said that he was the ‘man after God’s own heart’. Listen to David’s cry:

I will love You, O LORD, my strength.

Life Lesson 3: Then, we will go to Psalm 116 and see God show us through David’s life: How to die gracefully. God has truths to anchor us in gracefulness through the closing moments of our lives.

Look at v. 15 that sets the tone for this entire Psalm.

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

Someone wisely said that we are not really ready to live until we are ready to die. This Psalm shows ten ways to live that make us ready at ANY moment to die. This is a must read, must understand, and must apply Psalm for believers of any age!

Life Lesson 4: Finally, we will turn to Psalm 23 and see God show us through David’s life: How to follow the Good Shepherd safely home. God has truths to anchor us as we follow Christ down the pathway of the closing days of our lives.

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the simplest and yet most profound Psalm of David’s life. Probably his first, and most assuredly on his heart as he slowly felt the weaknesses of his physical body, bring him to the doorway of the Valley of the Shadow of Death. There the Lord, at just the right time, led David safely home.

David Heads into The Sunset of a Great Life

That is where we are going in the days ahead. To prepare us, turn with me now to 1 Kings as we see David headed into the sunset of his life.

1 Kings 1:1-40 (NKJV) Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah.

9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.

11 So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? 12 Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 16 And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?”

17 Then she said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know about it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited. 20 And as for you, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.”

22 And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 23 So they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But he has not invited me-me your servant-nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. 27 Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king took an oath and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, 30 just as I swore to you by the LORD God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this d
ay.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”

32 And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. 34 There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. 37 As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. 39 Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.

As David faced his waning years-He had to come to terms with old age and impending death.

During this stage, David most likely wrote Psalm 71how to overcome feelings of loneliness when you’re about to leave behind health, comforts, friends, family, and security.

Loneliness is a Tool God Can Use in Our Lives

Loneliness is a tool to glorify God, to turn and trust and triumph, and to make some great discoveries about God. From David’s life as captured in the Psalms, we have seen how God used loneliness to refine and sharpen David’s usefulness for the Lord.

Note what we have learned:

  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of youth? The Lord taught him that he was never alone, God was always with him!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of life facing family conflict and danger?  The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of job loss, and family separation? The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of moving to a new location that is very foreign to you? The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of living and working with a tough crowd? The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of unemployment and unsettled home life?  The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of betrayal by friends?  The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of being wronged in a business deal?  The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of the complete loss of family, friends, and finances?  The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of temptation and failure? The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of chastisement and restoration? The Lord says I am always with you!
  • Like David, are you feeling the loneliness of old age? The Lord says I am always with you!

Jesus has clearly expressed what He would like to say to each of us when we arrive safely home to dwell with Him forever: “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matthew 25:21)![1] Christ’s “Well done!” is the ultimate prize for living purposefully for God-even in our waning years when old age and all that entails has come upon us.

When We Are Weak Then He is Strong

The older we get, the harder it is to hide what is really going on inside our hearts and minds. Consequently, we become more and more transparent with our feelings and fears.  And God designed it that way. For as the clay pot, the tent we live in, cracks and tears, He wants the treasure of Christ within us to spill out to encourage others in their own unending struggles.

Paul referred to this when he explained his difficulties as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Writing to the church at Corinth, in 2 Corinthians 4:7 he said: … we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (Emphasis added to verses in this chapter.)

That is why David’s final words spoke of the power of the Holy Spirit within him (2 Samuel 23:2). God’s grace and power, through His precious Spirit, is our only source of strength to live and die this way.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-18, the Apostle Paul tells us what a treasure it is for us to go through times of weakness. Even when life is as rough as Paul’s explanation shows in this passage, we only realize what a real “treasure” we have because of Christ:

On every side being in tribulation, but not straitened; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; at all times the dying of the Lord Jesus bearing about in the body, that the life also of Jesus in our body may be manifested, for always are we who are living delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our dying flesh, so that, the death indeed in us doth work, and the life in you. And having the same spirit of the faith, according to that which hath been written, ‘I believed, therefore I did speak;’ we also do believe, therefore also do we speak; knowing that He who did raise up the Lord Jesus, us also through Jesus shall raise up, and shall present with you, for the all things are because of you, that the grace having been multiplied, because of the thanksgiving of the more, may abound to the glory of God; wherefore, we faint not, but if also our outward man doth decay, yet the inward is renewed day by day; for the momentary light matter of our tribulation, more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us-we not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are age-during (2 Corinthians 4:8-18, Young’s Literal Translation, 1862).

For a modern illustration, a song is written from the lives of two saints who suffered deep loneliness and physical struggles, whose lives became a great blessing to others by viewing all their hardships through the lens of God’s Word. Songwriter Civilla D. Martin (1869-1948) wrote of these saints’ lives early in the spring of 1905:

… my hus­band and I were so­journ­ing in El­mi­ra, New York. We con­tract­ed a deep friend­ship for a cou­ple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doo­lit­tle-true saints of God. Mrs. Doo­lit­tle had been bed­rid­den for nigh twen­ty years. Her hus­band was an in­cur­a­ble crip­ple who had to pro­pel him­self to and from his bus­i­ness in a wheel chair.

De­spite their af­flict­ions, they lived hap­py Christ­ian lives, bring­ing in­spir­a­tion and com­fort to all who knew them. One day while we were vi­sit­ing with the Doo­lit­tles, my hus­band com­ment­ed on their bright hope­ful­ness and asked them for the se­cret of it. They read us this verse:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

God’s Eyes Are On the Sparrow

Then, Mrs. Doo­lit­tle’s re­ply was sim­ple: “His eye is on the spar­row, and I know He watch­es me.” The beau­ty of this sim­ple ex­press­ion of bound­less faith gripped the hearts and fired the imag­in­a­tion of Dr. Mar­tin and me.

The hymn “His Eye Is on the Spar­row” was the out­come of that ex­per­i­ence.

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav’n and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; tho’ by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know we watches me.

3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.[2]

What a difference it makes to see our life as God’s plan that we willingly submit to day by day!

The prophet Habakkuk, who wrote one of the most hope-filled paragraphs in the Bible, understood this vital principle. Twenty-seven hundred years ago, when Israel was in a steep decline and headed for national ruin, defeat, and deportation to Babylon, he wrote:

Though the fig tree may not blossom, 
Nor fruit be on the vines; 
Though the labor of the olive may fail, 
And the fields yield no food; 
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, 
And there be no herd in the stalls-
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 
I will joy in the God of my salvation (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

The key to finishing life by ending well like this is the long term cultivation of godly habits. Life is a constant stream of choices, and each choice we make has a consequence. The consequences of godly habits are good; the consequences of ungodly habits are bad.

Truths that Can Anchor our Lives

Life Lesson 1: In Psalm 71, God shows us through David’s life: How to get ready for growing old in a godly way.

God has truths to anchor us in godliness through the closing days of our lives.

Remember the power of the Cross that gives us the hope found in these words in v. 18:

Now also when I am old and gray headed,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come.

[1] 061008AM DSS-35; 061008PM DSS-36

[2]  Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace-366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997).