Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 21:15-22. Here is a link to this Scripture – 2 Samuel 21 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway
I quote only the following verses.
“Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David went down and his servants with him; and as they fought against the Philistines, David became weary. Then Ishbi-benob, who was among the descendants of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, was girded with a new sword, and he intended to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” 2 Samuel 21:15-17.
—————–
Even though David was a mighty warrior, see for example 2 Samuel 22:33-36, “David became weary.” Verse 15. “Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” Verse 17.
Today’s Scripture does not inform us why the men of David did not allow David to go again into battle. Maybe, David was growing older such that he became more and more weary when he did go to battle. Maybe, David’s fighting skills were diminishing.
But maybe, David was not becoming more and more weary when he did go to battle, and maybe, David’s fighting skills were not diminishing. Maybe, the men of David were getting better and better at fighting, and maybe the Philistines were getting weaker and weaker, such that they had the luxury of reducing risk to David. Maybe, it was more important to Israel that David provided leadership, including spiritual leadership, to the nation of Israel than it was for David to personally fight in every battle.
The theme of this devotion is to consider the importance of rest and retirement. As we get older, so to speak, we do not need to personally fight every battle. This is a particularly appropriate devotion for today, Sunday, a day of rest.
It is interesting to contrast 2 Samuel 22:33-36, in which the personal fighting abilities of David are described, with the Scripture following 2 Samuel 22:33-36, in which the LORD’S abilities to lift David “out from my enemies” are described.
“47 “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
48 The God who executes vengeance for me,
And brings down peoples under me,
49 Who also brings me out from my enemies;
You even lift me above those who rise up against me;
You rescue me from the violent man.
50 “Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations,
And I will sing praises to Your name.
51 “He is a tower of deliverance to His king,
And shows lovingkindness to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forever.” 2 Samuel 22:47-51.
The verses which I did not quote from today’s Scripture describe what the men of David were able to do. See 2 Samuel 21:18-22. We should not be so proud to think we need to fight every battle.
Rest, including retirement, is proof of our faith in the LORD to provide all that we need for salvation, to accomplish what concerns us for our works, and to provide for all our daily earthly needs.
There are also practical reasons for rest, including retirement. Here are four examples.
First, generally, with exceptions, as we get older, we get weaker physically and mentally. We become less flexible and less steady. We cannot stand as much physical and mental stress. We do not have as much energy. Although there are certainly important offsets to help cope with such weakness in old age such as wisdom, experience, willingness to focus more, and sometimes more time to do each project, generally, with exceptions, as we get older, we get more susceptible to the quantity and severity of injuries and mistakes.
“14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.” Psalm 103:14-16.
“As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10.
Every employment is different. For example, in sports, manual labor, and other employment primarily depending on physical condition, one should generally retire sooner than where one works behind a desk. Moreover, some employment has plenty of staff to hide or make up for the weaknesses of old age. Finally, it is usually not straight down hill as we get older; it is more of a rollercoaster gradually going down.
We do need to consider the possibility that when we get too tired or too old, the quality of our work can suffer, and we can harm others. Even though our poor work is not intentional, it can be negligent and can cause damage to others.
In summary, it requires much wisdom and guidance from the LORD to know when to retire.
Second, when we stay too long in our position, we do not allow the rested or younger or less experienced to serve (even though they may be more talented). We know from sports that sitting on the bench too long leads many to quit or transfer to another team. We should give opportunity to others to serve.
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-7.
Even after retirement, we can still assist others. We do not need to work. We can encourage and advise others. We can pray for others. We can give money to help support the work.
Third, retirement gives us more time, opportunity, and standing to make helpful conclusions based on a lifetime of service and experience. There are those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7. We should “come to the knowledge of the truth” and teach and pass on this truth to the next generation.
Fourth, retirement gives us more time and opportunity and desire to enjoy thoughts of the next stage: heaven. We have more time and opportunity to pray, read the Bible, and think more deeply about heaven. We are less attracted and less able to participate as fully on the things on the earth.
In conclusion, there is a long devotion that I wrote on the importance of rest and retirement. It contains much supporting Scripture. Here is a link to it – “But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more.” As a quick note, in this long devotion linked above, I am certainly not maintaining all people should retire at 50! I am more generally maintaining the importance of rest and retirement and seeking God’s guidance when to do it, all as taught by Scripture.
“3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been borne by Me from birth
And have been carried from the womb;
4 Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:3-4.
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6.
So then, as we trusted God each stage of our life, let us continue to trust God to instruct us, to teach us, and to counsel us with His eye upon us, as we step into retirement and walk through retirement.
“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 