Not everyone gets to think through their final words, because not everyone knows when their last moment will come. David had a sense so he called his son Solomon in for some final words. His words were my pondering points this morning.
“I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel’… (2-4).
David’s words continue with some kingly advice about how to solidify Solomon’s reign and close out some unfinished business from David’s reign. But first and foremost David instructed Solomon in the way of the Lord, one final word to spur his son toward truth and faith.
I love this foundational line: be strong, act like a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires.
The calendar tells me that in two days is Father’s Day… what a perfect word for fathers and all men… be strong, act like a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires
Be strong… God had given us men different bodies than women. Be strong, use what God has given you… your physical, mental and internal fortitude strongly! That is part of what it means to be a man! What do we do with this strength? Observe what the Lord requires! It is not about making wealth or building lands or companies. Oh, that may come and be part of God’s plan for you, BUT first and foremost, it is to observe the laws and ways of God! God has given you strength to do just that. Faith is not a sissy matter. It takes strength and fortitude to stand against the devil and the cries of the human heart to go this way and that, anyway but God’s way. Use your strength to say first things first! God comes first… for me and for my family!
This is the strong word of the Lord that is filling my heart this morning…
Oh, God, may I love so… FOR YOU! Amen.
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