If you put yourself in David’s position whilst reading this, it will have great value to you.
In our previous message we discussed the passage in 2 Samuel 11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2011&version=NIV1984.
David had seen this woman, Bathsheba, and immediately desired her. He allowed temptation to turn into sin very quickly and when he had realised what he had done, the first thing he seemed to be concerned about is what the people would say, or maybe he was concerned for her when her husband would return and find out what she had done. Whatever the reason for his behaviour, he did act as many of us do – he tried to cover up. His behaviour was definitely not godly, but motivated by his sinful nature and suggestions from evil sources. He had not realised what he actually did until Nathan came to him as recorded in chapter 12 (see next message).
The same happened with, for example Judas, who betrayed Jesus. It was only after he had done the deed that he realised what he had done. Up to then he was blinded.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and in trying to cover it up arranged for Uriah, her husband, to be killed so David could take her for himself – one crime to cover another. Nobody knew about it but him, Bathsheba and the Lord. David previously had had a victorious life because he acknowledged the Lord in everything he did. He never made a move without enquiring from the Lord and in everything he desired for the Lord to be glorified, but during this temptation he forgot to seek the Lord’s face. He probably was at a stage in his life where contentment with earthly comforts overruled his need for the Lord.
What sins stand between us and a victorious, full life in Christ? For some men it may be adultery in the heart via the door of the eye - lust. For some women it may be vanity and idle social relationships. For most Christians it could be a lifestyle of comfort and entertainment. Sports, money, success, earthly ambition and the like are all considered temptations that could result in us not having the relationship with the Lord as we should have.
This was David’s greatest sin. It was not so much the deed as it was the fact that he had not been sufficiently in touch with the Lord to heed to His warnings. If he had been in constant worship as he had been before, he would probably not even have heard the invitation to go walk on the roof of the palace. He would most likely have been with his men at the war front.
Jesus’ dream for us is to follow Him with all we have – to live for heaven. “‘The most important one [command],’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,’” (Mark 12:29-30). Many of us think that we do not sin. We do not mess with other women or men; we do not steal or are dishonest and so on. But sin is to disobey God’s commands and the greatest is quoted above. When we are so self-absorbed, so busy with pleasing ourselves and our carnal desires, so involved with building for ourselves comfort and reputation, status and honour that we do not really consider the Lord’s concerns and needs, do we then love the Lord?
This command states that our entire heart, soul, mind and strength should be involved with doing love things that please the Lord. In other words my spirit (heart) should be constantly aware of the Lord, my will and emotions (soul) should be focused of Him, my mind should be occupied with Him and my energy and strength should be put to work for His purposes.
David broke Moses’ commands against adultery and murder. If we live for our own comfort we break the greatest command, and we don’t even try to cover these sins.
Lord, I want to love you as I should.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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