2 Samuel #26: an exposition of 2 Samuel 23:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on October 6, 2013.
Intro:
Is there anything worse than “hopelessness?” Is there anything worse than being at the end of your rope, having some great calamity barreling down upon you and there is nothing you can do about it? You know there is no way out? Whether that calamity is a doctor’s diagnosis, a financial collapse, the loss of a relationship or the death of a loved one – there is nothing quite like the death of hope. Yet, as the people of God, we are to live as people of hope. For us hope never dies. Hope never dies because it is tied to the One who forever lives! Sure we experience the sense of hopelessness. We travel through the valley of despair. That’s part of life in this fallen world but we are not to live there. When you find yourself drawn to hopelessness you need to flee to David’s Rock. His fortress. His Deliverer. In 2 Samuel 22 David looked back on his life and praised God for His grace. In chapter 23 the king looks forward to the consummation of the kingdom. Not his kingdom. Not Israel. The Kingdom of God. Our text this evening is found in the opening verses of 2 Samuel chapter 23.
Text: 2 Samuel 23:1-7
Note – “These are the last words of David”
These are not David’s last words, those are found in 1 Kings 2:1-10.
This is his last “official” or formal words.
This is the last of his psalms or songs.
This is a great, poetic statement of hope.
The aged king looked back in chapter 22 at God’s grace in delivering him and establishing him as king. He rejoiced in God’s past acts of kindness and grace. Now looking ahead he rejoices in God’s future work of grace in establishing an everlasting kingdom. As we work our way through the text we are reminded that…
Thesis: In times of uncertainty, danger and heartache our hope is anchored by the promise of the coming Righteous King.
There are three things I want to point out that will give us hope in the face of hopelessness.
- The coming of this Righteous King is as certain as the Word of God. (23:1-3, 5)
- The reign of this Righteous King will bring life, clarity and refreshment. (23:3-4)
- This Righteous King will rule over an exclusive kingdom. (23:6-7)
Conclusion:
Part of understanding and appreciating the wonder of the Gospel and the certainty of our hope is to view it against the darkness, the hopelessness of life outside of Christ. Life apart from the will of God.
In times of uncertainty, danger and heartache our hope is anchored by the promise of a coming Righteous King.