I don't know if he just thought he could get away with it. Maybe because he was king or because he was just naive. Then again, maybe he wasn't thinking at all, he was simply reacting to his basic human instincts...take what you want, then make excuses as to why.
I don't think there's ever a good reason why!
King David, the greatest King who ever lived (according to scripture and tradition) made some the greatest mistakes ever committed. (also according to scripture and tradition.) A man after God's own heart, forsook that love for the comfort of a beautiful woman. (and Bathsheba for a chance to be with the king while her husband, Uriah, was away at war. Now I understand the complexities of this story for Bathsheba, how when the king calls, you just comply. But there is nothing in the story that speaks of her refusal. So we'll leave that for another day.) In other words, David messed up!
There's no other excuse. Maybe he was lonely because all of his other wives were against him. It doesn't matter what the reason or the excuse. David did what he did. And he got caught!
Maybe I'm naive, but I believe that rarely do we do what we do because we won't get caught. Getting caught either is far from our minds or not an important factor. Now most of us on the other hand don't do certain things because we might get caught, like speeding excessively, or sticking our hands in the cookie jar. We don't steal or lie because we know that we'll more than likely pay for it. It's the negative the forces the positive. It's Mom's words echoing in our ears, "don't you do that!"
It's why the 10 Commandments are written in that way, "Thou Shalt Not..."
Because we won't get away with it...or for that matter, with anything!
David was caught red-handed and red-faced. So are we. Whether anyone else sees or knows, God does.
We're guilty!
What we can learn is how to cut our losses, end our suffering, come clean. The road of honest living is so much smoother than the road of deception. It's time we come into the open with the one who sees everything anyway. We won't get away with murder or anything else, but we can receive God's forgiveness even in the midst of God's discipline (which David received in a generous portion).
Our mistakes are ours alone. And the road back to the arms of God...
...as easy as turning around, toward God. It's called repentance.
And in the name of Jesus Christ...you are forgiven!
Peace ><>
pc
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Greatest Kingdom
And so it begins, the greatest time in Israel's history, the kingdom of David in the City of David (Jerusalem or J-town!). Why was it so great? There are a couple of reasons...
Unity. David united people; helped them to see a new vision of what was possible for a nation of people dedicated to God. Sure it had something to do with David's power and ability as a warrior, but it also had everything to do with David's faith in God and in the phrase that had been spoken of David, "You will shepherd my people Israel and you'll be the prince." (2 Sam 5:2, Msg) It was a promise fulfilled and the people were ecstatic.
God. David had become king, not because he was a great warrior, but because he was "a man after God's own heart." (1 Sam 13:14, NLT) From a child, he was taught to love God, his parents showed faithfulness in a place where parental faithfulness was a longstanding tradition (Bethlehem). David was sold out to God. He didn't care at all what others thought of his faith, He would do what he knew to do. He'd talk to God about the most minor things and would do what God told him to do.
David sought to bring the Ark of God into the city of David, into the center of this nation, this people. He knew that the Ark was the symbol of presence of God and he wanted it at the center for himself and for his people. And he danced as it made its way into the city. When his wife, Michal(Saul's daughter), saw his "foolish" behavior, she chastised him. But listen to how David responded,
"In God's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory - more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool..." (1 Sam. 6:22, Msg)
Matt Redman wrote a song called "Undignified." (it was made popular by the David Crowder Band) It was based on this passage (as translated in the NIV). It goes like this:
I will dance, I will sing, to be mad for my king.
Nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul.
I'll become even more undignified than this
(some would say it's foolishness.)
I'll become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by my side
It's all for You, my Lord!
It's no wonder God made this the greatest kingdom, his servant, David, was completely sold out to God!
That in itself says something about our lives doesn't it?
The greatest kingdom of God's people were led by the greatest king because he didn't care what others thought of his love for God.
That's what I'm striving for...not the blessing of God...
...rather for an undignified life in my love for God!
Peace ><>
pc
Unity. David united people; helped them to see a new vision of what was possible for a nation of people dedicated to God. Sure it had something to do with David's power and ability as a warrior, but it also had everything to do with David's faith in God and in the phrase that had been spoken of David, "You will shepherd my people Israel and you'll be the prince." (2 Sam 5:2, Msg) It was a promise fulfilled and the people were ecstatic.
God. David had become king, not because he was a great warrior, but because he was "a man after God's own heart." (1 Sam 13:14, NLT) From a child, he was taught to love God, his parents showed faithfulness in a place where parental faithfulness was a longstanding tradition (Bethlehem). David was sold out to God. He didn't care at all what others thought of his faith, He would do what he knew to do. He'd talk to God about the most minor things and would do what God told him to do.
David sought to bring the Ark of God into the city of David, into the center of this nation, this people. He knew that the Ark was the symbol of presence of God and he wanted it at the center for himself and for his people. And he danced as it made its way into the city. When his wife, Michal(Saul's daughter), saw his "foolish" behavior, she chastised him. But listen to how David responded,
"In God's presence I'll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over God's people, over Israel. Oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory - more recklessly even than this. And as far as I'm concerned...I'll gladly look like a fool..." (1 Sam. 6:22, Msg)
Matt Redman wrote a song called "Undignified." (it was made popular by the David Crowder Band) It was based on this passage (as translated in the NIV). It goes like this:
I will dance, I will sing, to be mad for my king.
Nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul.
I'll become even more undignified than this
(some would say it's foolishness.)
I'll become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by my side
It's all for You, my Lord!
It's no wonder God made this the greatest kingdom, his servant, David, was completely sold out to God!
That in itself says something about our lives doesn't it?
The greatest kingdom of God's people were led by the greatest king because he didn't care what others thought of his love for God.
That's what I'm striving for...not the blessing of God...
...rather for an undignified life in my love for God!
Peace ><>
pc
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