As I was reading my Bible this morning I came across a passage that made me stop for a moment. It was one of those scriptures that jumps off the page and begs your attention. Before I share this scripture I need to tell you a little bit of the story of what is taking place in David’s life at the time of its writing. David’s popularity after the slaying of Goliath has grown enormously in Israel. His boldness to step out in faith with just a sling and a prayer moved those who had been cowering in fear for so long. This human behemoth blasphemed God everyday and called them cowards. People love David’s humility and boldness in his relationship to God. It has been like a refreshing breeze after the stagnation of a king who has turned his back on God and lost favor with many in his kingdom.
David’s favor has displeased the king who feels threatened by David’s popularity. The Bible mentions that after Saul’s rejection of God’s commands that an evil spirit came and troubled him. At the time that this scripture is written Saul is obsessed with wanting to kill David. This obsession will go on for quite some time until Saul himself falls in battle.
David is talking with Saul’s son Johnathan, the two are knit together in a very close friendship. To say that they were best friends would be an understatement. They were not brothers in blood but no doubt were bonded together with a love for each other so strong each would gladly lay down his life for the other.
They are having a private conversation and as David speaks to Johnathan he says these words.
1 Samuel 20:3 NLT
3 Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, “Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, ‘I won’t tell Jonathan—why should I hurt him?’ But I swear to you that I am only a step away from death! I swear it by the Lord and by your own soul!”
David knew full well that Saul would consolidate every bit of power and whatever resources he had to kill him. Each day that he rose from sleep he would be only one step away from possible death.
I think that one of the reasons that this has drawn my attention is that is how I feel. After all the serious illnesses and diseases I have fought and continue to fight I realize that I am only one step away from eternity. Now don’t misunderstand, I do not live each day in fear of dying. Quite the opposite, it has taught me the value of every moment of my existence. Every breath of air. Every time I laugh, every time I see a sunrise and a sunset. Every relationship I have becomes precious to me. Each time I hug my grandchildren I hug them as though it might be the last time.
If you have never been on a ventilator or suffered from acute asthma you may not understand what I am about to say. However when I walk in the morning I thank God for the ability to fill my lungs with clean air. I thank Him for the absence of pain even if it is for only a short time. I have learned to chrish life and friends and family. For I know that one day the angel of death will visit me and take me to a place where I already call home. Paul said, “to live is Christ, to die is gain”. What Paul is saying is this, I will appreciate what I have whether here on earth or with God in heaven. The second of course which is heaven, is not able to be compared with our temporal life here on earth. So my dear friend, whether you are eighty years old or fifteen learn to appreciate each day you live. For we are not promised another day but we may live many days. Don’t let the apprehension of what you may lose keep you from enjoying what you do have. Laugh a little. Live alot and always be looking up to remember the Lord loves you so much he cannot wait to get you home.