David lived to be 70 and at the end of his life had a problem staying warm. Let's read what his attendants did to address this problem:
When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. So his attendants said to him, “Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm." Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her (1 Kings 1:1-4).
There's nothing wrong with staying comfortable in one's advanced years. The problem in this case, however, was that while the servants were focused on David's well-being, one of his sons decided he wanted to be king. Everything that David had worked for was almost lost due to the insurrection of his renegade son.
About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome (1 Kings 1:5-6).
The writer also lets us know that David created this problem with his son by not disciplining him "at any time." David's lack of fathering skills didn't just impact him or his family, but had implications for the entire realm. And now, it seems that it was more about David and his needs than the needs of the nation. What lessons are there in this story for us as we study the topic 'Never Too Old for Purpose'?
It would seem the main lesson is that you never retire from God's Kingdom work or responsibilities. The same principles that got you through your life still apply when you're older. Certainly you should not ignore your physical limitations or needs, but they should not be the main focus for you or those around you. You must maintain a Kingdom mindset throughout your life, remembering that it's not about you or what you have done. It's always about Him and what He's doing and wants to do—even after you're gone. No one, including God, owes you anything for your life of service.
David was popular but on more than one occasion his self-centered tendencies caused his subjects many problems. Determine to be a person of purpose right up to the end, not insisting your own needs be met but doing what you can to meet the needs of others. And don't look for a way for the young to serve you but find ways to serve them to ensure that they have a chance to be successful in their day just as you had in yours. Have a blessed week.
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