2 Samuel 12:4-7a
“‘Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.’ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’”
Back in the 1970’s I taught a Bible class at the Idaho State Penitentiary. One of the men had been convicted of murder and was serving a life sentence. One night he was sharing with the group what had happened. His crime was accomplished in the heat of emotion. His evening had begun in a festive atmosphere but ended with murder and ultimately a life behind bars for the rest of his life.
The result of our actions will always result in consequences. The result of doing things God’s way will result in honor and blessing. Refusal to obey God and His commands will carry shame and dire consequences.
In 2 Samuel 11:1, we read; “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.” What a sad verse. At a time when David should have been with his army he stayed at home. I am sure that he rationalized that he was needed back home, but that was not the place he was called to serve. KINGS LEAD—THEY DO NOT SEND!
You no doubt recall the sad story of David’s sin. He STAYED—He STARED—He STOLE—He SLEW! He was guilty of not going into battle with his men; of committing adultery and of killing Bathsheba’s faithful husband.
David repented of his sin, but there were serious consequences. Like my friend at the Penitentiary, a consequence was required. In David’s case it was the death of his baby and chaos between his sons. It is essential that we stay close to the Lord and live a life that is in His will, not our own self will.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil