1 Samuel 20:3
“…But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”

Be conscious of how brief your life here can be. Knowing that your life can be cut off at any moment should make you walk more circumspectly and with greater focus. It is not lack of faith to confess this reality.

Death is a topic we often avoid and refuse to examine, but only the foolish shuns this all-important topic. Jesus spoke frequently about life and death, and so should we. Talking about death brings wisdom to living.

David knew that he had favor with God, and he knew that he was anointed to be king, and yet he was conscious of how close he was to death. In fact, he confessed that he was “one step” away from it. And this guided his actions.

Like David, live with the awareness that you are one step away. Being aware is not a call to fear but a call to critical thinking. While God is the One who protects, He will guide and preserve us through our human faculties.

What could God be asking you to do as you are one step away from death? For David, he knew he had to reach out to Jonathan and, together with him, take steps to preserve his life. Paul had to be let down in a basket. What are you doing?

Unfortunately, many pilgrims disdain discussions on death and see it as a confession of fear. In reality, however, our inability to discuss death is the actual evidence of fear. We are one step away from death, and we need to embrace that thought.

Blessed is the man who understands and recognizes the importance of this. Such a person will live life well, take steps to live life longer, order his life well, relate with life well, and prepare well for the next life.

In verse 5, David chose to “hide in the field” to avoid impending death from Saul. Was this cowardice or skillful thinking? Dear friends, you will live as long as God intends for you to live, but please apply skillful thinking to living.

May you live to the fullness of years ordained for you. But may you also live critically, strategically, and purposefully. Amen.