More Like Barzillai in 2023
Nº 231
weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - January 3, 2023
Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. - Winston Churchill
The older I get the more I admire Barzillai. He was a loyal friend to King David and when Absalom rebelled and David fled from Jerusalem, Barzillai came to his aide. David was stunned and vulnerable. The tide of public opinion favored Absalom yet 80-year-old Barzillai and some devoted friends risked their lives to provide food and supplies for David and his beleaguered soldiers.
Upon David’s victorious return to Jerusalem, he offered Barzillai a place in the palace where he could live out his days in comfort. Barzillai declined. “Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?” (2 Samuel 19:35b) But he did ask a favor of David: “Here is your servant Kimham, let him cross over with my lord the king.” (2 Samuel 19:37b) Kimham was probably Barzillai’s son or beloved servant.
I want to be like Barzillai because:
He was a loyal friend.
He was generous.
He stayed active throughout his life.
He stood on God’s side despite the contrary opinions of his day.
He was altruistic.
He did not want to be a burden on others.
He cared for the next generation.
My resolution for 2023 is to be more and more like Barzillai.
Dan Bolin
Author & President
Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc.
