“‘But listen, O Zedekiah king of Judah, to the rest of the Message of God. You won’t be killed. You’ll die a peaceful death. They will honor you with funeral rites as they honored your ancestors, the kings who preceded you. They will properly mourn your death, weeping, “Master, master!” This is a solemn promise. God’s Decree.'” Jeremiah 34:4-5 (MSG)

As I read God’s message to King Zedekiah, I felt pangs of depression. What a sad message to hear. Your life and impotent reign as king will be marked by failure, destruction, humiliation and captivity. But hey Zed, look on the bright side, you’ll die a peaceful death.

Suddenly, I have Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” going through my head.

God, mercifully spare me from Zedekiah’s fate. I don’t really care about my death. Let my life count for something.