“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.” 2 Samuel 11:1
Most of my life I’ve heard mature men stand and declare, “The older I get the more I realize … I just want to finish well.” I used to scoff at the statement. “How hard can it be?” I wondered. “Surely when you are old and tired living the Christian life becomes easier!” I was puzzled by hearing this dictum often repeated at a men’s retreat or from a prominent minister in a pulpit. Now that my age number begins with a six, I’m realizing the wisdom behind this truism.
When I was younger, I normally worked under supervision. Almost always being part of a team. But like many others, the older I got, the more freedom I had. I was allowed to build and develop more of my own schedule. I was reporting less and less of my own daily activities while being asked to oversee the work of others. Subtly this freedom can lead to downtime or too much free time on one’s hands.
The proverb “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is thought to have originated from Geoffrey Chaucer, but is based on Proverbs 16:27, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece…”[1] The Apostle Paul warned, “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” [2]
This leads me to King David and the thought of finishing well. The Scripture that states King David was “a man after God’s own heart” is found in Acts 13:22 which says, “And when he had removed him [king Saul], he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will'”.
“A man after God’s own heart!” Wow … would that be said of us. And yet, we also know David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed. How do we square these ideas? What led to David’s downfall. There are gaps in the Scriptural story, but the verse shedding perhaps the most light on this question is found in 2 Samuel 11:1 “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”
The phrase I’ve emphasized with italics provides the most obvious clue. David wasn’t where he should have been. Or David was where he shouldn’t have been. He was still the King of Israel. The phrase implies he should have been out with his army … fighting … leading … inspiring. Instead, he was at home … relaxing on his balcony. Gazing upon a beautiful young woman. And … well, you know the rest.
A young seminarian was soaking up the knowledge of an older, wiser man. What we refer to in church circles as a Senior Saint. The man was 94 years old. “Thanks,” the young man said as he began to close the conversation. “This time has been invaluable. Before I let you go, could I ask one more … very personal question?” “Sure,” the old man said, “what are you concerned about?” “Well,” said the seminarian, I sometimes struggle with looking at beautiful women. You know I’m happily married. But I just feel I need to ask you – At what point will I finally get over this urge I have?” The old man smiled, put his hand on the young man’s shoulder and said, “Sometime after 94.”
No matter how old you are I need to ask you … are you preparing to finish well? Are you nearing retirement age and thinking, “I cannot wait to sit around and do nothing!” Remember the Scriptures that warn this can be a dangerous place. Make a list of activities you look forward to getting involved in as you slow down from vocational work. Volunteering. Mentoring. Guiding. Serving. Stay active in the work of the Lord. Paul said, “We were not idle when we were with you… On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.”[3]
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
[1] The Living Bible version.
[2] 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
[3] 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8
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