Scripture text for Monday, February 22nd, 2010: 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25
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Did you ever wish you didn’t have to find out what happens next? Me too.
“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”
It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.” (2 Samuel 11:1-4)
Oh, David! Does this passage feel like a giant let-down to anyone else?!? The big man on campus was doing so well! Defeating giants; dodging death threats; writing poetry; leading a nation . . . it’s all in a day’s work. I have a hard time imagining someone who is doing so well falling so far so fast. I’m sure the golf fans out there can relate to my disbelief. 😉 This passage, and recent media scandals, remind me that only God deserves my worship, for all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), even men after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14).
Aside from making me think about golfers, this passage reminds me of my grandma. Did you
ever hear yours say, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground?” I think she was right! If David
would have gone to battle with his men, he would have missed the opportunity to get bored and fall into sin. We like to point the finger at sins like adultery, but what about less overt sins of a restless mind like hatred or worry? We’d do well to heed Paul’s advice: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9)
Father, reveal those areas in our lives where we’re allowing sin, however subtle, to creep in, and give us practical ways to turn our hearts and our minds toward you instead. Be the God who sees us. Amen.
Devotion prepared by Amber Stanley