| TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem." (2 Samuel 11:1)
TODAY'S WORD , as he was running the race of life, David was doing so well he thought he could slow down a little bit: take a breather, relax a bit. He didn't have to run with as much commitment. He got sloppy.
It started with a lustful look, and it ended up as a nationwide scandal. Though the sin lasted only minutes, the repercussions of it lasted for the rest of his life.
I am speaking, of course, of the story of David and Bathsheba. This sin was so devastating to David's life, you might think that he could never survive such a fall. Amazingly, he did, though it cast a shadow over his life from which he never fully recovered.
Let's not forget, as sordid as the details are, that David was still a man after God's own heart. That is not to justify what he did in any way, but we should remember David was a godly man who made a big mistake. (Which, by the way, could happen to any one of us. If David had the potential to fall into sin like this, then you or I can fall as well.)
There is no vacation from the spiritual battle. I wish there were. I wish we could kick back for a month or so. But the Christian life is not a playground-it is a battleground. The moment you begin to slow down or relax your grip spiritually, you are going to start having some serious problems.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Almighty God, thank you for the work my hand may find this day. May I find gladness in all its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success, and even in its failure and sorrow. I would look always away from myself, and behold the glory and the need of the world, that I may have the will and the strength to bring the gift of gladness to others; that with them I stand to bear the burden and heat of the day and offer you my work, as well as I may accomplish it, as praise. In Jesus Name, Amen. |
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