Clearly this is not David's last words. This is actually David's last song. In his praise he reminds himself of several life events that God orchestrated to bless him, rebuke discipline him and encourage him. David wrote that he was "anointed by God to serve God's kingdom. Unlike what is possible today, God spoke to David audibly, but also spoke through David. God also declared a permanent covenant with David.The covenant is David will always have a descendant ruling on the throne in Jerusalem. We now know that descendant is the Lord Jesus Christ and the covenant he cut with David is also guaranteed to us. If you are in Jesus, you are part of the promise God made to David and this song.

As David reminisces God's faithfulness, he allowed us to see an event that he was thinking of as he was approaching his last days.

Write down five instances in which God's faithfulness was evident in your life. Place the piece of paper in your bathroom so you can be reminded of God's goodness daily for the next month.

Real friends will do almost anything for you. They are there through it all. Sicknesses, financial struggles, marital issues, challenges with your children, and just the day-to-day difficulties of life. David had three such warriors that he considered friends. This odd request from David may have been said in jest, but his friends took him very seriously and fulfilled David's desire. When David saw what they had done for him he was broken, and made a water sacrifice to the Lord. What David was saying is, my friends are more important to me than my thirst. I would rather die than lose them.

If you are fortunate enough to have a couple of good friends, why don't you send them a text this morning and let them know how appreciative you are for them.

David was surrounded by great men. Each one of us have people in our lives that helped push us to greatness. Usually, they are people not desiring the spotlight. These are the best kind of people to have in our lives. Today, the challenges are to think back through your life, and thank one person you have never properly thanked for challenging you and being by your side at a critical point to look around and see if you are doing this for someone else. If not, who can you encourage today to be all they can be?

This Psalm speaks for itself. The beauty of David's words have meant so much to so many through the toughest of times. David writes this Psalm during a tough time of his own, in his own words he finds the peace he needs to face tomorrow.

There are two reasons David should not have taken a census. The first is he was depending on the strength of his nation to protect him, not the living God. The second is David was planning on going to war without the prompting of God. David was desiring to murder innocent men, women and children in order to increase his kingdom. God was not pleased. It is never a good idea to "go at it" without the approval of God. Also, it is never a good idea to go against a clear command of God. When we do we can expect "the anger of the Lord burned against" our decision. In verse 10 we see our only hope. "David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” Repenting of our sin is the only way to bring peace and a sense of purpose back to your life. David understood as we should, forgiveness is ours if we will admit we were wrong and call on the finished work of Jesus.