One Sin, Many Consequences 04.14.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday April 14, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read Chapters 10-12 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2010%20--%2012&version=9

In today's study we will read and learn about the Ammonites and Syrians defeat; Bathsheba and David; Nathan's parable and David's repentance; and the birth of Solomon. Today's message focuses on the importance of understanding that it only takes one sin to create life changing consequences.

David, king of Israel, had never lost a war and had grown accustomed to getting what he wanted. "And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem." (II Samuel 11:1). Satan always has something or someone to distract and attract us when we are in a position to gratify our fleshly desires. He always presents sin as both attractive and satisfying.

For David, his spiritual defeat began with a look of lust at the beautiful Bathsheba. David knew that adultery was a wicked sin against God and was punishable by death. "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house." (11:2-4). All it takes is one sin, which usually leads to another and to unforeseen complications, as well as to other evils.

David did not stop there, he even went as far as sending Uriah out into battle knowing that he would be killed so he can take Bathsheba as his wife. (11:6-24).
Davids actions displeased the Lord, "And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD." (11:26-27)

For a king to take the wife of a poor man would seem insignificant to one with the power and privileges which David possessed. Once the deed was done, David, no doubt, performed all his official tasks just as before, and even went to the services of the Tabernacle with no one the wiser. Until this sin, David rose in power with one mighty victory after another.

From the moment David first lusted after Bathsheba until their marriage, no one interfered with their pleasure. However, about one year later, Nathan the prophet boldly confronted David, "Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun." (12:9-11).

Deeply grieved and repentant, David confessed, "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die." (12:13). Although forgiven, the next twenty years the entire last half of his reign, until his death David's sorrows and sufferings never ceased from that one night of yielding to his lust.

It is not a sin to be tempted, it is however a sin to act on those temptations. God may allow us to be tempted, but he always gives us a way out of them. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:12-15).

God in His righteousness and holiness declares that He is no respecter of persons. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35). No one is above the will and Word of God. David, one of His best servants still had to suffer the concequences of gratifying his fleshly desires. Because of David's sincere repentance God forgave him, but forgiveness does not remove the natural results of sin. We never receive the true blessings that were intended for us when we sin.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the prophet Nathan in giving Solomon the name Jedidiah which means beloved of the Lord (II Samuel 12:24-25) Christ was greatly loved by the Father.

Today's Psalm: 51:1
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you, Jesus for dying and saving me from my sins. It is not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit that we can stand against the temptations of the enemy as we build our foundation of faith, one brick at a time. Lord, walk with us, guide us and abide in us as it is only when you are with us are we able to overcome the temptations that cause us to sin and fall short of Your glory. Teach me to follow Your will and to keep my focus on You at all times so that I am less likely to fall into temptation. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a great Monday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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