David: A Man After God’s Own Heart – Sermon #24

 

1 Chronicles 28-29

(Read: 1 Chronicles 29:26-30)

A DIGNIFIED ENDING

Intro: We have been studying the life of David since the beginning of this year.  We have watched as the boy became a man.  We have watched as the shepherd became a king.  We have followed David across the high mountain peaks of success and into the deep valleys of defeat.  We have seen him when he gleamed with the glory of righteousness and we have seen that glory tarnished by devastating sin.  We have watched David as he enjoyed the blessings of his God and we have watched him as he endured the consequences of his sins.  His life has challenged us, because there are so many parallels between his experience and ours.  We can identify with David.

      In this text, we find David at the end of the trail, as far as this life in concerned.  He is seventy years old.  He has reigned as king for forty years.  He is about to pass the torch to the next generation.  Before he does, David has some last words for those who have gathered around him, 28:1. In these last words of David, we can see what occupied his thoughts as he reached the end of his life.  In his last words, we can read about A Dignified Ending to a life pleasing to the Lord.

      Let’s examine these last words of the old king.  In them, we will encounter some characteristics that should mark the end of our own lives. As the Lord gives liberty, I want to preach about A Dignified Ending.

 

  I.  28:2-8               IT WAS A TIME OF REFLECTION

A.  David lets us know that the last days of his life were filled with thoughts of a dream that he never saw fulfilled.  David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God had said “No” to David’s dream, telling him instead that David’s son, the next king would build the temple, 1 Sam. 7:1-17.  This had been a disappointment to David.  Evidently, it was a disappointment that lingered until the day of his death.

            But, David did not allow the Lord’s “No” to derail him.  David gathered the necessary materials to build the temple, so that Solomon would have what he needed when the time came. In David’s words, we see a man who died with an unfulfilled dream still in his heart.  But, David did not look back on what God had not allowed him to do with anger. He, instead, looked back on what God had allowed him to do.

            He tells us that God had chosen him to be king!  God had picked David the youngest son of an unknown family to be the king over His people Israel, v. 4!  God had blessed him greatly, promising to establish his kingdom forever, v. 5-7.  David rejoices that God has chosen his son Solomon for a special relationship, v. 6.

            Instead of focusing on what God had not done in his life, David reflected back on what God had done in his life.  In doing so, he displays an attitude that we should all have, especially when the end of life draws near.

B.  If we are not careful, we will come to the end of the way bitter, disappointed and disillusioned because we did not get to see the fulfillment of our dreams.  As we age, it becomes clearer with each passing year that some of our dreams are not going to come to pass.  What do we do with those shattered dreams?  We can become bitter because God said “No” to our dream.  Or, we can look back with joy, thankful for the things that He did bring into our lives.  I suppose that it all boils down to who we believe had the best plan.

            We can sit around and grouse about what we did not get, or we can than Him for what we did get.  We can blame Him for what we think we missed out on, or we can rejoice in what He brought into our lives.  It comes down to a matter of sovereignty.  Who is God in our lives, us or Him?  If we are the masters of our own destiny, then don’t blame God for unfulfilled dreams, blame yourself.  If God is the Lord of your life, then thank Him for what He has done, because He has brought into your life the things that were best for you, Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:1.

C.  So, what kind of shattered dreams are you looking back on today? Maybe you wanted more from your marriage.  Maybe you wanted your children to accomplish certain things.  Maybe you wanted to achieve certain goals along the way.  Maybe you are disappointed in your financial success.  Maybe you wanted to succeed in some ministry.  Maybe you had big plans and goals for life, but none of them have been achieved.  Now, you realize that those things will never be realized. 

            What does that do to you?  How does that make you feel?  Are you content with where the Lord has brought you in life?  Or, are you bitter that things have not turned out like you planned them?

            The best thing to do with the past and its broken dreams is to let it go!  Thank God for where He has brought you and what He has done in and through your life.  Learn the lesson of contentment that Paul talked about, Phil. 4:11-13. I am sure that he never dreamed he would die like he did, but he was content to allow the Lord to have His way.  Are you?

 II.  28:9-29:1       IT WAS A TIME OF RESPONSIBILITY

(Ill. Now, David speaks to Solomon.  He realizes that the young man standing before him is about to shoulder an awesome responsibility.  He is untried and untested, but he is about to become the King of Israel.  He is about to take the reigns of the nation and David knows that he needs a few words of instruction. David speaks to Solomon on two levels.)

A.  His Relationship To God – 28:9 – He challenges Solomon to Know God; to Serve God; and to Seek God.  David knows that if Solomon is to be the kind of king he needs to be, then he is going to have to develop an intimate relationship with God. He is cautioned to keep his heart and thought life pure. David wants Solomon to be a Saved man, a Serving man, a Seeking man and a Sold Out man!

            David is speaking these words from experience. David knew the blessing of walking with God and he knew about the pain of turning away.  Therefore, he challenges Solomon to stay close and to stay clean.

 

(Ill. These are the kind of traits every godly parent wants to see in the lives of their children.  We should be striving to instill these characteristics into our children as they grow and mature. If I can live to see my children fulfill these words of David to Solomon, I can die rejoicing.  There is no greater joy than to know that one’s children are living lives pleasing to the Lord!)

 

B.  His Reign Over The People – 28:10-21 – In verses 10-19, David gives Solomon the plans and the materials for the construction of the temple.  He challenges Solomon to get to the job and to do it right! Then, David turns his attention to Solomon the King.  He speaks of the pressures and the doubts that come along with the title of King.  He reminds Solomon that no matter what the future holds, he can count on the Lord’s presence, power and promises to help him make it through. What a blessed hope to instill in one’s child!

 

      (Ill. We must be careful that we do not fill our children’s heads with our own doubts, fears and prejudices.  We must never teach them to fret or to worry.  They need to see us trusting the Lord by faith.  They need to know that God will never leave them nor forsake them, Heb. 13:5.  They need to know that God will guide their steps, Psa. 37:23.  They need to know that God will bring them safely through this life.  You see, much of what our children know about God they learn from their parents.  That places an awesome weight of responsibility on our shoulders.)

 

III.  29:10-19             IT WAS A TIME OF RELIANCE

(Ill. In 29:2-9, David challenges the people of Israel to give to the work of the temple.  They do so willingly and when they do, David lifts his voice in a prayer of faith, thanksgiving and supplication.  We want to look into this prayer for just a moment.)

A.  Here at the end of the road, David is still praising the Lord, v. 10-11.  He still has a sweet spirit.  He is able to praise the Lord for His grace, His blessings and His sovereign power, v. 12-13.  His is still amazed at what the Lord has done for him through the years, v. 14-18. He is still praying for others, v. 19.  David sets a great example for the rest of God’s saints.

B.  The end of life is not a time to let up on spiritual disciplines.  It is not the time to stop praying.  The end of life is best spent at the altar of prayer, seeking the Lord, praising the Lord and calling on the Lord in the behalf of others.  The end of life is a time to draw closer to the Lord.

            Far too many people have the attitude that they have what they have by their own power and efforts.  They feel that their success in life came about by their own abilities. So many people fail to see the necessity for leaning solely upon the Lord. 

            I pray the Lord will help me to reach the end of the way rejoicing in His blessings; thankful for His grace and leaning on His arms.  I was headed for Hell when He found me.  He saved me by His grace and He has blessed me in ways that defy belief. I never want to get to the place where I take credit for who I am and what I achieve in life.  I want to stay tender and dependent upon the Lord.  How about you?

 

IV.  29:20-25            IT WAS A TIME OF REJOICING

A.  David’s life concludes not with sadness, but with rejoicing.  He leads the congregation in offering worship and praise to the Lord.  They celebrate his life and they rejoice in their new king.  David does not go out with a whimper; he goes out with a bang!  He leaves this life praising the Lord.

B.  The end of life does not have to be a sad time!  It is possible to leave this life on a high note when it has been well lived.  When you come to the end of the road still close to the Lord; still clinging to the Lord and still calling on the Lord, there is no reason for sadness, but for rejoicing.

            We always mourn when death takes our loved ones.  That is right and proper, for they will be missed.  However, when we mourn, we do so for ourselves because we know that we will miss them here.  But, if they knew the Lord, we can rejoice because we know where they are, 2 Cor. 5:8.  And, we can know that they are doing far better than they ever have, Rev. 21:4.

C.  In this passage, it is the dying man who is rejoicing.  David seems to have no fear regarding his impending death.  He does not seem upset by the fact that his earthly journey is about over.  Why?  He knows the Lord and knows where he is going.  That kind of knowledge gives great comfort!

            It always bothers me when I meet a person who is afraid of death.  It makes me wonder where they stand with God.  The believer knows that God has promised to bring His children safely home at the end of the way, 2 Tim. 1:12.  The end of the road is not a time to dread, it is a time to rejoice.

            Can you see the end drawing ever closer?  How are you going to meet that day?  Will you face it with dread and fear?  Or, like David, will you be able to rejoice in the day of your death?

 

Conc: With the death of David and era came to an end.  Israel’s second king was her best and brightest king. But, the lessons we learn from the life of David still speak today. As we consider the end of David’s life, let us also consider the end of our own lives.  How do we want to finish the race?

      Like David, I want to finish strong.  I want to end up remembering His blessing; carrying out my responsibilities; relying on the Lord and rejoicing in Him.  I want to finish like Paul, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

      If there are areas in your life that need adjustment, this is the time to deal with them.  Are there some broken dreams you would like to surrender to God?  Are there some responsibilities you need to fulfill?  Are you relying on the Lord as you should? Are you rejoicing as the end of life gets closer?  If the Lord has spoken to your heart today, please hear His voice and come to Him!