The Secret to Living Well

I think we wall want to be remembered for having lived well. I think we all want to live well. But I also think most of us have no clue how to get there and mismanage our path along the way.

David lived well. He had his bad moments, but he ended well and brought Isreal to unprecedented heights. His last words are a testimony to his secret to living well. For David, it was his complete heartfelt devotion to the Lord.

2 Samuel 23:1–4 (ESV) Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel: 2 “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, 4 he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

David knew the Lord raised people up regardless of what others say or do to them. He was dismissed by his father Jesse. He was from a town virtually unknown apart from his story. Even Saul had trouble recognizing him though he was employed by him (1 Samuel 17:55). Yet to this no-account shepherd boy was given the Spirit of the Lord to speak God's Word and sing God's praises. Today the name David rings in the halls of history and is designated to men around the world. There even stands a priceless piece of art in the world's most famous museum commemorating this once overlooked child.

We do well to remember Paul's words of encouragement to Corinth:

1 Corinthians 1:26 (ESV) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are...

David's life is a reminder to those who feel like they are nobodies living in nowhere: Your life is significant in the hands of God. Do not fall for bitterness or resentment at what people think of you, their opinion will NEVER have the last word when your heart is set on the Lord. David lived this and understood that God alone was the cause of his great success and accomplishments. 

2 Samuel 23:5 (ESV) “For does not my house stand so with God? For He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will He not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

What a far cry from the ambition-driven world of today. David's testimony was God's work in him and for him. His ambition, therefore, was to glorify the Lord and bring others in on the experience. We remember his words in the Psalms. 

Psalm 34:3 (ESV) Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

David's life is proof positive that God needs not the one who shouts his own glory and praise but rather a person who is able to enjoy God's presence alone. So while you may be in a place of little things take time today to develop a heart for God. For even your greatest accomplishment will pass into history as David's did, but if your heart is set on the Lord, there's nothing the world or people can take from you and you can die in peace and contentment. 

I think of Paul's words from an Ephesian prison to the Church in Philippi:

Philippians 1:21 (ESV) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

And later in the same letter:

Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV) I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The last testimony to David's life was the 30 mighty men that surrounded him. 

2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV) These are the names of the mighty men whom David had...

2 Samuel 23 will unpack all the exploits of grandeur from these great men and they are incredible. Yet they are a testimony to the fact that Godly men will be surrounded by mighty men. When we make the Lord our first affection, I believe the Lord brings the right people around you to accomplish great things together. Instead of chasing a solo-performance in life, seek the Lord, love His purpose and plans. He will add the right people to it for He intends to accomplish it.