Monday 23 May 2022
- Bible Book:
- 2 Samuel
… the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning. (vs 3-4)
Background
Do you ever reflect on what your last – or best-remembered – words might be? John Wesley, on his deathbed, encouraged those with him by declaring "The best of all is, God is with us." What would you like to be remembered for saying?
Today's passage from 2 Samuel 23 is described as King David’s last words. More accurately, we understand it to be his last inspired utterance because there were more commands and conversations before he died.
What makes this significant is the image it gives us of what being a king, a ruler or a prime minister should offer their people. Just rulers affect people for the better.
I am writing this on a bright, sunny morning. The sky is a cloudless pure blue and walking outside is a pleasure.
David was the greatest of all Israel’s kings and the author of some of the most beautiful psalms, but also an example to us that being chosen by God doesn’t automatically make you without sin.
He conspired to have one of his own people killed so he could continue an affair and that act had consequences for following generations. But despite David’s failings, which were significant and costly, St Paul was later able to describe him as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13: 22).
David says that being under the authority of "one who rules over people justly" (v. 3) is as life-fulfilling as walking out to see the sunrise on a cloudless morning.
He recognises that for all his power and all the inspired words God has given him, the impact on his nation is more about God than him. He declares: "Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure." (v. 5)
Not many of us will govern a country or a people but, recognising God’s Covenant promise to shape a people for his glory, we can commit to making the impact of our influence "like the sun rising on a cloudless morning".
To Ponder:
- What do you hope people will remember of what you say?
- How can we pray and act for just politics in our country?
Prayer
Covenant God, help us to speak and act in ways that radiate justice. Amen.