Goodness and love for evermore – 30 July 2021

We are living in interesting times, through this Covid-19 pandemic. It has caused much worry and stress. Some of us have experienced deep sorrow, with friends or family members losing the battle against the virus. In these troubled times, we are searching for God’s presence, in him we find hope and rest.

David knew the Lord as his Shepherd, he followed him all the days of his life. Some parts of the journey were pastures green, others were dark valleys. When he looked forward to the path ahead, he had one certainty giving him hope. God’s goodness and love would be with him for evermore. When we finish the race of life, then we, the children of God, will dwell in the house of our Father forever. We know this is our final destination. Jesus promised it in John 14:2-3, the night before he died on the cross. “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” This gives us hope. Our journey may be difficult, times may seem uncertain, but we know where we are going.

In 1 Kings 2:2-3, David knows his end is near. He calls his son Solomon to his deathbed and admonishes him, ‘“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “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 …”’ This was David’s legacy. He served the Lord faithfully until the end of his life. Yes, he made a lot of mistakes along the way. Each time he repented and returned to God. He fell to sin many times, but each time, with God’s mercy, he got up and began to follow God again.

The shepherd boy became a mighty king. The Lord called him and helped him to lead an exceptional life. The legacy of David will be celebrated until the end of time because God made a promise to David. How did that promise work out? We read it in Matthew 1:1, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David …”

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the story of David’s life. Thank you that you can make a mighty king out of a shepherd boy. Thank you that you can write the history of the earth with people like him. Thank you that we see human frailty combined with God’s goodness and love to make an exceptional life. Thank you that you also call me by name, to follow you, to become and to be … me, your child. Amen