Norm Spohr delivers a powerful message centered around the life of King David, using David’s final words in 2 Samuel 23:1–5 as a lens to explore three foundational qualities of a godly life: integrity, focus, and finishing well. The message encourages believers to examine how they live and lead, especially in the final chapters of life.
1. Integrity: Leading with a Clean Heart
Norm highlights that David, though not perfect, was described as a man after God’s own heart. What set David apart wasn’t flawlessness, but his sincere desire to follow God and his willingness to repent when he failed.
David’s leadership was marked by justice and the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3).
Norm challenges the listener to be people of integrity—those whose lives are consistent with their faith, especially when no one is watching. Integrity, he notes, brings stability and respect, like the morning light or the refreshing rain David poetically describes.
2. Focus: Living with the End in Mind
David knew he was near the end of his life, and he looked back not just on what he had done, but who he had become.
Norm draws attention to how easily we can lose focus on what really matters—often getting caught in distractions, ambitions, or regrets. He calls on believers to live each day in light of eternity, asking:
“Will I look back with peace or with regret?”
He references Paul’s statement in Acts 20:24, where Paul says he considers his life worth nothing except to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus gave him.
3. Finishing Well: Faithful to the End
Norm shares that many people start well in their spiritual journey, but far fewer finish well. He reflects on David’s ups and downs—his victories and failures—and shows how, even through it all, David clung to God’s covenant grace (2 Samuel 23:5).
The key to finishing well, Norm says, is faithful dependence on God, not personal perfection. It’s about staying in step with God’s purposes through all seasons of life, and ending our days with the testimony: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Closing Encouragement
Norm invites the listener to:
Be people of character and consistency.
Refocus on what matters most—God’s call and mission.
Finish the race not with regret, but with joyful endurance.
“Your legacy will be shaped not just by what you started—but by how you finish.”