When you hear the name “King David,” what do you think of?

Perhaps you think of the small boy who, in the strength of the Lord, defeated the giant Goliath with only a slingshot and a few stones. Or maybe you think of the strong, capable chosen man of God who could have easily overtaken the rejected King Saul…but chose not to. Possibly you think of a mighty warrior who time and time again defeated the enemies of Israel and secured peace for God’s people. You may also think of an adulterous king who, despite being a “man after [God’s] own heart,” still fell into sin. Or, despite these failings, you perhaps remember the hundreds of songs of praise written by David that bless the pages of our Bibles.

All of these thoughts would be accurate. And yet, I’m guessing when all these things come to mind, we’re all picturing the same thing: a strong, youthful, physically capable man in his prime.

But what about David’s later years?

Like all of us, there came a day in David’s life in which his physical strength and might–a trait synonymous with his name–no longer defined him. We find the passage in 2 Samuel 21:

“Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and be became exhausted…Abish-ai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.'” (v. 15-17)

David, the man famous for slaying the Philistine Goliath, now had to be rescued from the hands of his old foes.

The time of his peak physicality had passed.

He was, in short, too old and too weak.

Can you imagine what a blow that was to David’s ego? If you’re younger than thirty then no, maybe you cannot but, then again, perhaps you can. If you’re like me and have passed a certain age, you definitely can. Maybe you yourself are starting to realize physical or mental limitations in your own body. Maybe you’re struggling with a loss of certain characteristics–either from old age or disease–that once defined you. Your strong legs, quick wit, or inexhaustible energy. Or maybe it’s something more intangible–the loss of a name, title, role, or position.

And maybe, because of that, as yet another year winds to a close, you’re going through a crisis of identity. Things have changed. You have changed. And you’re struggling. Because, without xyz, who even are you anymore?

David could have easily felt the same way. Without his physical powers, which had been so useful to him during in his life, who was he anymore? More importantly, how could serve God without the very things that had defined his servitude thus far? He could no longer protect Israel from her enemies.

Was he no longer useful to God?

Perhaps you feel that way too. Perhaps the changes you’ve endured over the past year have left you feeling useless when it comes to serving the Kingdom.

Dear brother or sister in Christ, take heart. If 2023 has ushered in a new season of life for you–one in which the changes in your body, mind, environment, or circumstances seem too overwhelming to adapt–you can find encouragement in the words of one who went through the exact same thing.

When David became no longer physically fit enough for battle, he did not mope. He did not mourn. Instead, he spent his time pouring his faith and wisdom into those around him. He encouraged his fighting men–those who would now go into battle without him–by ensuring they were ready in skill and in number. He poured himself into his son, Solomon, making sure he was ready for his eventual kingship.

Most importantly, however, he continued to devote himself to praise. He wrote songs to the Lord, built altars to the Lord, and publicly professed his trust in God’s goodness. You see, David understood that while his days a warrior for God’s kingdom were over, his kingdom work was not finished so long as he had air in his lungs.

God’s work for him wasn’t finished; it was simply changed.

And, friend, so it is for you. If you suddenly find yourself in a season of change, where the old way of doing and being and serving simply no longer fits, it does not mean that God’s plan for you is through. No matter what, you are still His beloved child…and He still has work for you to do.

It may look different. It may feel different. But our God remains the same.

And He still counts you as an important and loved member of the body of Christ.