//Women Made for His Glory//
If You Think God Can’t Use You, Remember . . .
Finding the David Within You
//1 King Worship//
David and Goliath
//Rivers of Living Water//
God Can Use Our Mess
//Beulah Hope Ministries//
Finding the David Within You
//Heart Light Inspirations//
The Bible in a Year – Day 144 – David’s Last Words
Daily Devotion: An Emotion-Stirred Heart
“How have the mighty fallen … I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been a close friend to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women.” – 2 Samuel 1:25-27 NASB
David gained fame as a mighty warrior. He also was a man of principle with deep feelings. This became clear after the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Others thought he would be relieved. Instead, David wept openly. He expressed his feelings in a lament, which showed compassion for Jonathan, his friend, but also for Saul, the king who sought to take his life.
This lament became a central moment in King David, a drama with music written by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger. Born on this day in 1892, Honegger was chosen for this assignment because he had musical skills, but he also had a spiritual understanding.
He was raised in a home where spiritual things were important. He knew the Bible and had insights into David’s character. Honegger threw himself into the challenge, completing his composition in just two months.
In this drama, the key moment comes as David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan. Honegger’s music helps us appreciate how David put aside the horrible things Saul had done to him. This moment symbolized what made David so unique. We can see why God chose him to be king, for he was a man after His heart (Acts 13:22).
The Bible reminds us that God seeks people of principle who are fearless and compassionate, who boldly embrace every assignment. He seeks those who are ready to serve Him with their mind, soul, and emotions.
Prayer
Father, I desire to serve You with my whole being, without reservation. Give me boldness and compassion. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
2 Samuel 1
//Inspiration Ministeries//
Saint of the Day – March 1st
Saint David of Wales’ Story
David (D. March 1, 589) is the patron saint of Wales and perhaps the most famous of British saints. Ironically, we have little reliable information about him.
It is known that he became a priest, engaged in missionary work, and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks. Their austerity was extreme. They worked in silence without the help of animals to till the soil. Their food was limited to bread, vegetables and water.
In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw, where he had his monastery, now called St. David’s. He ruled his diocese until he had reached a very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: “Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me.”
Saint David is pictured standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. The legend is that once while he was preaching a dove descended to his shoulder and the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that he could be heard. Over 50 churches in South Wales were dedicated to him in pre-Reformation days.
Reflection
Were we restricted to hard manual labor and a diet of bread, vegetables and water, most of us would find little reason to rejoice. Yet joy is what David urged on his brothers as he lay dying. Perhaps he could say that to them—and to us—because he lived in and nurtured a constant awareness of God’s nearness. For, as someone once said, “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.” May his intercession bless us with the same awareness!
Saint David of Wales is the Patron Saint of:
Wales
//Franciscan Media//