Lessons from Bible Characters
123
covetousness was dreadful. They often thought that their own children
and relatives were wishing them to die in order to take their place and
possess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowed
upon them. And some were so controlled by their jealous, covetous
[169]
feelings as to destroy their own children.
David marked that although the lives of some while in the strength
of manhood had been righteous, as old age came upon them they
seemed to lose their self-control. Satan stepped in and guided their
minds, making them restless and dissatisfied. He saw that many of the
aged seemed forsaken of God and exposed themselves to the ridicule
and reproaches of his enemies. David was deeply moved; he was
distressed as he looked forward to the time when he should be aged.
He feared that God would leave him and that he would be as unhappy
as other aged persons whose course he had noticed, and would be left
to the reproach of the enemies of the Lord.
With this burden upon him he earnestly prays: “Cast me not off in
the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” “O God,
Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy
wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God,
forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation,
and Thy power to everyone that is to come” [
Psalm 71:9, 17, 18
].
David felt the necessity of guarding against the evils which attend old
age.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:422, 423
.
David Planned Ahead
David, in arranging his business, sets a good example to all who
are advanced in years, to settle their matters while they are capable
of doing so, that when they shall be drawing near to death, and their
mental faculties are dimmed, they shall have nothing of a worldly na-
[170]
ture to divert their minds from God.—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary
2:1025
.
How Peter Faced Death
Since his reinstatement after his denial of Christ, Peter had un-
flinchingly braved danger, and had shown a noble courage and boldness
in preaching a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. As he lay in