LAST WORDS
Today's reading: 1 Kings 1-4

'Am I dying or is this my birthday'-Lady Nancy Astor

'I'm bored with it all.'-Winston Churchill

'All my possessions for a moment of time!'-Queen Elizabeth I

Famous last words. Final utterances before eternity begins and judgement is doled out. In some cases, the spoken words some have been remembered for after a lifetime of achievements and honor.

Another quote from a death bed...

"As the time of King David's death approached he gave this charge to his son Solomon, 'I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep each of the laws, commands, regulations and stipulations written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and whereever you go." 1 Kings 2:1-3 NLT

In his dying breath, with the last of energy he could muster, as he lingered on the edge of here and there, David placed before Solomon a charge, a challenge, a plea--to seek God first. David experienced what it had done in his own life and wanted to make sure he passed on the knowledge to his son. Of all life's lessons learned, David felt this was the most important thing he could say.

And when Solomon followed that advice? Wisdom, riches, honor, you name it--Solomon received it. To this day, there's never been a king so successful, so revered, so referred to. His words are still quoted, his riches are still spoken of. His decision to follow God's decrees have placed him as an example of what happens when good advice is followed...even advice given on death beds.

What will you say when your last breaths come? What will you urge loved ones to seek/do/throw their lives into? What are you saying with your life today?