Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 19:31 through 20:26; Psalm 7; 2 Samuel 21: 1-22; 1 Chronicles 20: 4-8
Today I got a glimpse into my future and it wasn’t pretty! My Grandma is 96 years old and my Mom turns 78 today (Happy Birthday Mama!). I definitely want to follow in their footsteps and have a long earthly life, God willing, but after today a long life doesn’t sound like a whole lotta fun!
At the beginning of today’s reading David is again showing kindness to someone who helped him out in the past. Barzillai of Gilead had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim.
David wanted Barzillai to cross the Jordan River and go with him to Jerusalem. David’s plans were to take care of him for the rest of his life. This is just one more example of the heart of David.
I don’t know if Barzillai was just a negative person or if his comments are in the Bible to prepare us for old age. Let’s read it together and see what we think…
Here’s Barzillai’s response to David’s invitation:
“No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king.” –2 Samuel 19:34-35
Can I say—DEPRESSING?
The more I have thought about this, the more I think Barzillai was just a “glass-half-empty” kinda guy! Think about it, Barzillai had the opportunity to be taken care of by the King of Israel.
Who knows God may have wanted Barzillai to be one of David’s advisors?
Who knows Barzillai could have been created by God for such a time as this to provide words of wisdom at just the right time. But Barzillai thought he was too old. So guess what; if he thought he was too old…he was too old.
I don’t want to be like Barzillai. Yes, I know I’m going to have aches and pains as I get older. What am I talking about about—I already have aches and pains! But I want to serve the Lord with Gladness all the days of my life.
Here’s a verse that would have helped Barzillai and it should be on our refrigerator as well. I’m quoting the King James Version because that’s what I memorized:
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. –Proverbs 6:2
Father, help us to watch what we say. Our words become self-fulfilling prophesies for our lives. Lord, help us to be ready and willing to serve you until to promote us to heaven!
In Jesus Name. Amen and Amen!
Determined NOT to be a Barzillai!
©2012, Dianne Guthmuller
This Week-end’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 19:31 through 20:26; Psalm 7; Psalm 63; 2 Samuel 18:1 through 19:30
I wonder tho, if there was some wisdom in this old servant as he apparently sent his son,Kimham, in his place. He had perhaps trained and prepared his son for ministry and was now affording him the opportunity to do ministry. I think of this as I get older with Titus 3:4 in mind. I need to train younger women around me, to teach them from my experiences and ministry…and then release them to do ministry…even a ministry that I might have very well done..so that they can grow, be encouraged and find God faithful. God always has something for me to do, but I cannot do it all, so I will entrust ministry to others so that they too, in turn, may teach others. Just a thought. I too, desire to be in active service all the days God gives me.