March 17 - II Samuel 9-12
Today is a time for personal reflection as we consider the life of David. We must always let the Lord speak to us personally from His Word, but there are certain passages that just scream at us. This is one of those passages.
David was chosen by God to be the king over Israel because of his heart, not his outward appearance or other qualities. David showed his heart of faith and courage by defeating Goliath and other enemies. David was able to take a group of "worthless" men and turn them into a group of "mighty" men, so he was a good leader. He was faithful to fulfill his covenant with the family of Jonathan and Saul by taking care of Mephibosheth. He was a great military leader as he trusted the Lord in battle. All in all, he was a great man fulfilling God's role for him in life. What caused him to be able to commit the terrible sins he committed at this time in his life? We must seek to learn from David's life, so we do not fall in the same way.
I believe David's lifestyle contributed to his sin. He had taken so many wives, and he was living a life of luxury. When it was time to go to war, he stayed home. After all, he was the king. Leave the fighting up to others now. It seems that his life was one of comfort and immediate gratification. Whatever David wanted he received. Therefore, when he saw Bathsheba, he did not think of God's laws but of the enjoyment of sin. He broke one of the ten commandments with no apparent guilt. Then, in the course of trying to cover his sin, he lied, made the husband, Uriah, drunk, and then committed murder. One sin followed another until he came to one of the worst ones possible. There was no guilt or repentance shown until Nathan confronted him. David confessed his sin then, but the terrible deeds were done. God's only recourse was to send His punishment on David.
God showed mercy to David in his punishment, but it was still very serious. David watched Bathsheba's child die, and God told him that the sword would not depart from his family for the rest of his life. In fact, his own family would rise up against him. God allowed him to live, even though the punishment for murder was supposed to be death. However, it seems that David paid for his sin every day for the rest of his life, so God did not let him off easy. God sent another son by Bathsheba, Solomon, who would become the next king. God continued to bless his kingdom, but David could never forget how he had sinned. David was forgiven by God when he confessed his sin, but the consequences remained to deter him from sinning again. That is how God deals with all of us. That is why we must stay away from sin.
What did you learn from David's sin? What changes do you need to make in your lifestyle, so you will not be vulnerable to sin? Do not delay to obey what God says to you. The stakes are too high. What you decide could affect the rest of your life for good or for evil.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 13-16.
David was chosen by God to be the king over Israel because of his heart, not his outward appearance or other qualities. David showed his heart of faith and courage by defeating Goliath and other enemies. David was able to take a group of "worthless" men and turn them into a group of "mighty" men, so he was a good leader. He was faithful to fulfill his covenant with the family of Jonathan and Saul by taking care of Mephibosheth. He was a great military leader as he trusted the Lord in battle. All in all, he was a great man fulfilling God's role for him in life. What caused him to be able to commit the terrible sins he committed at this time in his life? We must seek to learn from David's life, so we do not fall in the same way.
I believe David's lifestyle contributed to his sin. He had taken so many wives, and he was living a life of luxury. When it was time to go to war, he stayed home. After all, he was the king. Leave the fighting up to others now. It seems that his life was one of comfort and immediate gratification. Whatever David wanted he received. Therefore, when he saw Bathsheba, he did not think of God's laws but of the enjoyment of sin. He broke one of the ten commandments with no apparent guilt. Then, in the course of trying to cover his sin, he lied, made the husband, Uriah, drunk, and then committed murder. One sin followed another until he came to one of the worst ones possible. There was no guilt or repentance shown until Nathan confronted him. David confessed his sin then, but the terrible deeds were done. God's only recourse was to send His punishment on David.
God showed mercy to David in his punishment, but it was still very serious. David watched Bathsheba's child die, and God told him that the sword would not depart from his family for the rest of his life. In fact, his own family would rise up against him. God allowed him to live, even though the punishment for murder was supposed to be death. However, it seems that David paid for his sin every day for the rest of his life, so God did not let him off easy. God sent another son by Bathsheba, Solomon, who would become the next king. God continued to bless his kingdom, but David could never forget how he had sinned. David was forgiven by God when he confessed his sin, but the consequences remained to deter him from sinning again. That is how God deals with all of us. That is why we must stay away from sin.
What did you learn from David's sin? What changes do you need to make in your lifestyle, so you will not be vulnerable to sin? Do not delay to obey what God says to you. The stakes are too high. What you decide could affect the rest of your life for good or for evil.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 13-16.