Good Friday: the darkest day leads to morning light

I been reading David's final words before his death, as recorded in 2 Samuel 23.

I was particularly struck by his prophecy of the Messiah in verses 3-5:

'When One rules over men in righteousness,

when he rules in the fear of God,

he is like the light of morning and sunrise on a cloudless morning;

like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.

Is not my house right with God?

Has not he made with me an everlasting covenant,

arranged and secured in every part?

Will he not bring to fruition my salvation

and grant me every desire?'

Two things are striking. Firstly - that a dying man can still look forward to the coming of the Messiah (from his own line) and all that he brings. David's own view of the Messiah was evidently greater than just a military victory for Israel. Secondly - that the Messiah's victory is for his people like a sunrise on a summer's morning (what a beautiful description!); and all the more poignant juxtaposed against the 'darkest day' of the cross that we are remembering today. The horror of the cross leads to peace and joy for God's people - what a God it is that we worship!