This article on Israel’s King David, is one of a series of articles built around the theme, “What would they say to us now?” From the perspective of eternity and a completed life, what would they say is really important?
It’s easy to start something; it’s tougher to finish it. That’s true of projects, hobbies and diets. Sometimes we lose interest, we get bogged down with difficulties or we get distracted with other interests.
The same is true of ministry. Studies indicate that only one in 10 ministers who start out in their 20s, are still in ministry at age 65. The reasons for dropping out and not finishing are many – immorality, other pursuits, health, pressure and family.
I’m proud of my parents. They were married for more than 60 years. They actually started in ministry prior to being married. They finished well. There were no scandals and no character blemishes. Dad served faithfully past his 100th birthday.
KING DAVID
Israel’s King David started well. As a boy he showed fearless trust and reliance on God when he killed Goliath. He was a gifted poet, musician, and author. The prophet Samuel referred to him as “a man after God’s own heart.” In many ways he was a great king. Yet he was not perfect. There were flaws. While he was in his fifties, he scarred his life when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband.
David’s last years reveal that he didn’t finish well. When David heard that his son Amnon had raped his daughter Tamar, David was angry but apparently did nothing. Later, when his son Absolom had Amnon killed, he mourned over Amnon’s death and longed to talk to Absolom, but again made no effort to contact his son. Even on his deathbed, David displayed a wrong spirit when he instructed his son Solomon to find a way to execute Joab and Shimei.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAISE
In the last 20-30 years, there has been a renewed emphasis on worship. There is new music and more time in services for praise and worship. I love to worship and praise God. I appreciate the renewed emphasis, but I’m shocked as I see people who have been great praisers falling by the wayside.
As biblical and important as praise and worship are, it seems that some praisers are more interested in a momentary experience than they are in obeying God’s directives.
David is known as the sweet singer of Israel. Everyone who teaches on worship talks about David. He’s a model for worship. David authored much Jewish music. He was an active, enthusiastic and demonstrative worshipper and gave a variety of expressions to his worship. David’s worship was always God-focused.
But if David could speak to us today, I don’t think he’d talk about worship. He’d say that worship is important and it pleases God. He would explain how praise prepares the way for God to work. But I don’t think that’s what he’d talk about if he had just one word or one sentence to say to us.
KING DAVID HAS MUCH TO TEACH US
David can teach us many things. If David could speak to us, here’s what I think he’d say: “There’s more to pleasing God than worship; you have to finish well.”
David would say, don’t quit half way; it pays to persevere with integrity to the end. He’d say, it’s what happens in the second half of your life that will mark your life. He’d say guard your life, your character and your spirit. He’d say, don’t take short cuts and don’t neglect your spiritual disciplines. He’d say, “Make sure you finish well.”
When you study the lives of people who’ve failed God, often they failed God in the second half of life. They start out well. They may be flashy, spectacular, charismatic and make a lot of noise, but they fall by the wayside and fail to finish the race.
Consider the apostle Paul. He said, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7).
How you live the second half of life and how you finish is determined by the disciplines you put in place in the first half of your life.
There is much David could say to us from his experience and from the perspective of eternity. He could speak of the importance of courage and faith that resulted in military victories. He could talk of the value of praise.
David had a lot going for him. He had a lot of great character qualities. He showed respect to Saul, even though Saul tried to kill him. David was gracious to Mephibosheth. David was a man of worship.
But for all his great strengths and in spite of his many accomplishments and even though he was a great worshipper, David didn’t end up well. The last part of his life left a cloud of doubt and disrepute.
David didn’t finish well and as a result, David would say to us, “Make sure you finish well!” Here’s what he would say to us.
1. DON’T TAKE THE ANOINTING FOR GRANTED
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:12-13).
I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. (Psalm 89:20).
When Samuel anointed David by pouring the oil over him, it was God’s sign to David that God was going to use him with new power. David knew things were going to be different. God was going to work in him and through him.
The anointing was also God’s sign to David’s family and the elders of the town. Everyone who watched knew something significant had happened. They knew David was marked for leadership and that blessing would come from God through him.
Tragically, David presumed upon the anointing and took it for granted. God wanted to use him, but David didn’t guard the disciplines of life. He let what was sacred and precious slip away from him.
There are many examples of Christians today, who once experienced the power of the Spirit flowing through them, but who today are missing out on what God intended for them. It is sad when people who were once used in a mighty way lose God’s anointing on their lives.
God may be using you right now, his anointing rests on you and his Spirit has set you apart for his work to bring glory to his name. You know it and so do others, but don’t take it for granted; today’s anointing is no guarantee of tomorrow’s blessing. Just because God used you in the past, is no assurance that his anointing will remain on you tomorrow.
2. DEMONSTRATE HOLINESS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.
It’s interesting that often the first things that come to mind when David’s name is mentioned are probably his experiences with Goliath and Bathsheba. His encounter with Goliath showed his courage and faith; his experience with Bathsheba revealed his moral weakness.
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful. (2 Samuel 11:1-2).
Why did David commit adultery? The lust, the adultery, the lies, the murder are all documented and the lesson is clear: what you are in private affects what you are in public.
I think David would say that as a leader, what you are in public is very important, but what is more important is what you are in private! David assumed that what happened with Bathsheba was a secret that would remain in the palace. He did not see the adultery having any affect on his public leadership as king. But it did. David’s leadership was never the same.
In the Christian church today, there is tension between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit give us power, giving ministry impact. The fruit of the Spirit provide us with Christ-like character that gives our ministries credibility. Without spiritual gifts our lives are devoid of spiritual power; without the fruit of the Spirit, our lives are moral disasters.
David would say to us, “Deal with your private weaknesses before they unravel your public life.”
3. DELIBERATELY INFLUENCE YOUR FAMILY FOR GOD
David’s family was the stuff soap operas are made of. There were several wives and more than 20 children. David’s kids knew David better than anyone. They knew the good, the bad and the ugly.
It’s as if David ignored his children or at least took them for granted. When David heard that his son Amnon had raped his daughter Tamar, David was angry, but apparently did nothing. Later, when his son Absolom had killed Amnon, he mourned over Amnon’s death and longed to talk to Absolom, but had no contact with him. Absolom undermined his father’s position and then staged a palace coup.
David had a lot of regrets. The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son! (2 Samuel 18:33).
It doesn’t take much reading between the lines to realize that David neglected his family and was afraid to confront them. He didn’t like to deal with tough issues and he avoided ticklish situations. He wasn’t a good conversationalist and his kids took second place in his life.
They knew everything that was going on. They knew the great things we celebrate about David, but they also knew his weaknesses. For some reason, kids often tend to follow our weaknesses rather than our strengths.
How can you finish well with your family?
Don’t take your children for granted. At each stage in their development children need the attention, input and care of both parents.
Take time to instruct, spiritually. I still remember the Bible stories my mother told me. They helped shape my life.
Guard your tongue in front of the kids. Don’t be critical of anyone; it breeds a critical spirit in those who listen. Don’t talk church problems in front of kids; protect your kids.
Maintain consistency of life. Kids will remember the times when you were inconsistent.
David is one of my favorite Bible characters. There is so much that is good, inspiring and helpful. But if there is one thing that David would say to us today, it is this: “There is more to pleasing God than worship; you need to finish well.”
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