Devotional - July 19, 2004

David enjoyed a good life and died happy. And isn't that just about what every one of us wants? To die happy means your life had meaning, you have children who who remember you and honor you with their lives. Then, when the end comes, you have nothing that needs attention. Everything is resolved and you leave nothing behind that places an unnecessarily burden on your family.

I guess the thought of death may be morbid to most people, but it is something that each of us must reconcile. To do anything less will no doubt leave many issues our family must resolve in our place. To finish strong and know we've worked hard and completed the race will be gratifying.

David finished strong. God blessed him with long life, wealth and honor according to Scripture. Even though his life had some bumps, the memory of David was something that was revered generation after generation after his death.

Are you happy? Are you blessed? Are you ready to cross the finish-line of this life? David wrote is Psalm 15 of ten things that defines a person who runs the race in such a way God is pleased and he's happy at the end.

1) His walk is blameless and does good works,
2) He speaks truth,
3) He does not slander anyone,
4) He doesn't take advantage of anyone,
5) He speaks no wrong of others,
6) He hates sin,
7) He loves the sinner,
8) He keeps his word,
9) He doesn't get rich on other's misery and
10) He is a protector of the innocent.

If you're like me, you may have some housekeeping to do after reading this list. David's son, Solomon said "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, their is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." In other words, if I know what to do and put it off till tomorrow, I may find someone may have to do it for me. So I submit to you the words of encouragement I have placed over my office door:

Today is the tomorrow I talked about yesterday.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ch. 28:1-29:30 Rm. 5:3-21 Ps. 15:1-5 Pr. 19:18-19 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society