“Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: ‘The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”’” 2 Sam. 23:1-3. God raised up David on a high, spiritual plane, a place which God thought was worthy of him in relation to his humility and uprightness of heart. David was an anointed person to whom the Lord could speak by His Spirit, and He put glorious words on his tongue. In his spirit David could look far into the future, and in several of his psalms we see how clearly he wrote about the Messiah; he rejoiced and sang about Him. In his last words, which he received grace to speak, he saw the Messiah as a ruler over people, a just ruler in the fear of God. V. 3. Everything would be different if today’s Christians would see Him like this. Usually they only see Christ as someone who atoned for them and who forgives them, because they themselves are neither God-fearing nor just. However, Paul also saw Christ clearly, and he wrote that “if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17. Paul was also an anointed man of God who was raised up on a high and holy plane and who had exceedingly precious and glorious words put on his tongue. He loved Christ and believed in the power of His grace for victory over sin. He was crucified with Christ—he was dead to sin—and Christ lived in him. God, who raised up David and the apostles, gave them anointed words that were living. He will also raise us up and give us grace in the ministry by the Word and by wisdom according to our humility and faithfulness of heart. Just as Jerusalem’s collapse was awesome, so the religious world has sunk to a very low level. Almost every kind of sin rules in their midst, yet they still reckon that they are children of God. When Paul speaks about the last days, he writes that the condition among religious people will be such that they will have an appearance of godliness yet deny its power—in other words, the power to live and rule with Christ over all conscious sin. For the most part, people then will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God. 2 Tim. 3:1-5. We who are alive today can confirm that Paul saw clearly and was a true prophet. When you look at conditions at the average place of employment and at schools, you can see that insolence and ungodliness have sunk to a very low level. The words people have on their tongues have been put there by evil spirits. Song and music have also been dragged down to a low and terrible level. All of this is on its way to the pit. On the other hand, how blessed it is when the opposite is true! Brothers and sisters are separated from all this wretchedness. They cleanse themselves and purify themselves and rise from one degree of glory to another. Good, useful, and edifying words are on their tongues, and the greatest variety of gifts is manifested, to the glory of God. The result is festive and blessed on all sorts of occasions in this pure, good, and spiritual atmosphere in which songs and melodies are born that are alive. “He has put a new song in my mouth . . . .” Ps. 40:3. Let us guard our hearts and the words that proceed from our mouths. The tongue is a terrible weapon if evil powers get to use it. However, if the Spirit of Christ rules over it, it becomes an exceedingly great blessing. David became the sweet psalmist of Israel because of all the glory that God put in his mouth. The strong, destructive powers that rule in the world today will drag us down if we are not watchful and do not fight the good fight of faith. However, we can be kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet. 1:5. Let us take a close look at the sins that Paul lists in 2 Timothy 3:2-5, which will have such power in the last times. Let us be watchful that not the least of any of these sins will ever gain power over us. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.” Ps. 20:7-8. Jesus said to the Pharisees: “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23. May this testimony truly be our testimony as well. God can make good use of us if we are in this state. Christ will enter an eternal covenant with us on this high and holy plane. He will order and make secure all our salvation and our future, and He will let everything grow that is good. 2 Sam. 23:5.Aksel J. Smith

The average person thinks he has it more difficult than the next person, and humanly speaking a few individuals are in very difficult circumstances. Every once in a while one is amazed at how people can endure their situations. All this is from a human perspective. If we believe in God, we know that He is not partial. It is equally difficult or equally easy for all of us. This is evident when we read Romans 5:20: “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” In other words, the opportunity to overcome is equally great for everyone. This is also in agreement with 1 Corinthians 10:13-14: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” However, no one can invoke this promise unless he obeys the next verse: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” You cannot claim the promises for yourself if you love the world or the things in the world. The promises are for those who love God. It is common for people to blame their hereditary traits for having it more difficult in some areas. Peter says that we were redeemed from our aimless conduct received by tradition from our fathers with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Pet. 1:18-19. It doesn’t say anything about some people having it especially difficult. It is the same for all of us. Neither can you blame your headaches or your nerves. What is written is written to all, and it doesn’t say anything about anyone having it particularly difficult except that God has preferred to choose the foolish things in the world, and the weak and base things in the world, the things which are despised and which are nothing. 1 Cor. 1:26-29. When someone gains victory over sin it is a work of grace, and God alone shall have the glory. In the German Bible it says, “For sin cannot have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14. If we are under grace (which is much stronger than sin), grace rules. Therefore grace reigns through righteousness. Rom. 5:17, 21. Consequently, all those who do not have victory and who blame one thing or another do not believe in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. They do not believe in Hebrews 4:16, among many other scriptures. The beginning of victory is to see sin exceedingly sinful, believing in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and ceasing to blame other people or circumstances. “Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Pet. 5:9. When we read the Bible, we see what great things God has done with and through certain people and what glorious promises with accompanying conditions He has given to all those who thirst and have a desire: “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. Here we see that it is alike for those who thirst and desire. All of them can drink of the water of life freely, and by drinking of this water, they can obtain a life in God, just as the promises say.Sigurd Bratlie