Bitter Last Words

One of the hardest things to do is to let go of bitterness. Overtime it can grip us so tightly that we can hardly breathe. We know that a bitter and critical spirit isn't a good thing for us, but why?

Job 21:23,25 One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and satisfied another dies with a bitter soul.

The last words of King David were spoken to his son Solomon and are recorded in 1 Kings. The dying ruler, speaking of his enemy Shimei, said, "Bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood" (1 Kings 2:9). Shimei was the man who had thrown rocks at David and cursed him as he left Jerusalem in disgrace (see 2 Sam. 16:5-14).

Earlier, David had told his men to leave Shimei alone. Now, on his deathbed, this king who was once described as a man after God's own heart (see 1 Sam. 13:14) talks like a dying gangster putting out a contract on a guy's life. Why did he change his mind about punishing his enemy? Why were David's last words so bitter and full of hate?

Do you know any people like that? Filled to the brim with resentment and a critical attitude? A critical attitude about everyone and everything? How many times have you walked away from such a person and prayed, "Please, Lord, don't let me become like that person"?

Now, consider the way another Bible character, Abraham, approached his death. "Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life" (Gen. 25:8). It is my hope to approach the end of life like this, not as David did.

People don't become bitter overnight. Bitterness comes because of choices-many wrong choices. The way we live and handle our relationships today will determine our attitudes when we're in our sixties, seventies, eighties-and on our deathbeds. David allowed the seed of bitterness to grow and flourish in the garden of his mind over many years.

Hebrews 12:15 warns us to not let a "root of bitterness" spring up in our lives. We can dig up the seeds of bitterness before they take root, or cut the young roots out now, digging them up, roots and all.

Praying that we all weed out the ugly weeds
Pastor Mike

The New Living Room Suite

Pete and Gladys were looking at a new living room suite in the furniture store.
Pete says to the salesman, "We really like it, but I don't think we can afford it."

The salesman says, "You just make a small down payment ... then you don't make another payment for six months."

Gladys wheeled around with her hands on her hips and says, "Who told you about us?"