DEVOTION – DAY 194

1 Kings 2:1-4 “Final Words”

1 Kings 2:1-4 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon, his son. “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 of 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 and that the Lord may keep His promise to me: “If your descendants watch how they live, and of they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.”

King David knew he was about to die so he summoned his son, Solomon to give him his final parting words. It is common for people on their deathbeds to want to give the most important advice, instructions, or wishes to their loved ones because they know it was their last chance to do so. To King David, his final instructions were the best advice he could give his son. The instructions were based on his own lifetime experience walking closely with God. God had blessed Him greatly when he walked closely with God, loved and obeyed God. He wanted to pass this legacy on to his son. God had promised that if David’s descendants also obeyed Him with all their heart and soul, God would bless them with the throne of Israel. David knew that his final words were his most important to his son. Every word had to be meaningful and so, the above verses were to him, his top priority for his son. God may not have promised us the throne of Israel but the Bible is full of His promises to all who would follow, obey and love Him. So, David’s final words are also great advice for us to follow.

Recently, a woman died of old age. She had left behind many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had spent most of her life worshipping idols but one day, someone shared the gospel with her. She realized that she was worshipping idols because of family tradition. But for the first time, she knew that the gospel was truth. She decided to follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She also went through water baptism to publicly declare that she was willing to submit and obey to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She also instructed her family she wanted a Christian funeral. At her funeral, her gathered family who came to mourn her passing also had a chance to hear the gospel. This was the legacy she wanted her family to have.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love, faithfulness and mercy over us all. May all of us heed the advice of David to walk in obedience to you, obey your commands and to love you all the days of our lives and may we teach our children to do the same. In the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Questions

1. What kind of legacy and parting words will you give your children? You do not have to wait till you are on your deathbed. What is stopping you from doing so now?
2. What are some of God’s abundant promises given to you in the Bible for those who love, obey and follow Him? Discuss.
3. How can you live a life that will be a good legacy to leave behind for others to follow?