In Greek mythology, there is a story about a young man named Icarus, who made wings of feathers and wax, but then grew haughty and flew too close to the sun. The wax melted, his wings dissolved, and he plummeted to the earth to his death. This character came to mind when I was reading about David and Bathsheba this morning in 2 Samuel 11. The previous three chapters were full of David's exploits and stories about how he chased after God with all his might. And then, in five short verses, he becomes an adulterer. Oh, how the mighty fall.
The scariest thing about this story is not that he sleeps with a married woman, or that he tries to trick her husband, Uriah, into believing the resulting child is his, or even that he eventually kills Uriah; the scariest thing to me is that this chapter is talking about David. David, the man after God's own heart. David, the man who refused on multiple occasions to hurt Saul, the crazed madman who was trying to kill him, because he was the LORD's anointed. David, the man who danced without abandon in the streets, worshiping the LORD his God. David, the man who brought Saul's grandson into his house and treated him as one of his own children because of his love for Jonathan.
None of us are immune to sin - even sins as grievous as adultery or murder. David's own pen wrote the Psalms I have written below - he KNEW what he needed to do to stay away from sin! In fact, the people who are most vulnerable to sin are those who think it could never happen to them. That's why we are told to "guard your heart above all else, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Whatever we mediate on will guide our actions, which is why God tells us to meditate on Him. Psalm 19:14 says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." One thing that is interesting, however, is that David would have never even been tempted if he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing. 2 Samuel 11:1 says, "In the Spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men." David should not have even been at the palace. Psalm 15:1-3 cautions us to keep our actions pure: "LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless, and who does what it righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart, and has no slander on his tongue." (As a side note, this story of David also speaks of the importance of having accountability in one's life - David had no one in his life to tell him that what he was doing was wrong.)
But actions always start in the heart and mind - and that's where our defense should start, too. I pray that God will "search me, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). Let's all strive to renew our minds daily (Romans 12:2). Thank you for coming on this journey with me!
The scariest thing about this story is not that he sleeps with a married woman, or that he tries to trick her husband, Uriah, into believing the resulting child is his, or even that he eventually kills Uriah; the scariest thing to me is that this chapter is talking about David. David, the man after God's own heart. David, the man who refused on multiple occasions to hurt Saul, the crazed madman who was trying to kill him, because he was the LORD's anointed. David, the man who danced without abandon in the streets, worshiping the LORD his God. David, the man who brought Saul's grandson into his house and treated him as one of his own children because of his love for Jonathan.
None of us are immune to sin - even sins as grievous as adultery or murder. David's own pen wrote the Psalms I have written below - he KNEW what he needed to do to stay away from sin! In fact, the people who are most vulnerable to sin are those who think it could never happen to them. That's why we are told to "guard your heart above all else, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Whatever we mediate on will guide our actions, which is why God tells us to meditate on Him. Psalm 19:14 says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." One thing that is interesting, however, is that David would have never even been tempted if he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing. 2 Samuel 11:1 says, "In the Spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men." David should not have even been at the palace. Psalm 15:1-3 cautions us to keep our actions pure: "LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless, and who does what it righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart, and has no slander on his tongue." (As a side note, this story of David also speaks of the importance of having accountability in one's life - David had no one in his life to tell him that what he was doing was wrong.)
But actions always start in the heart and mind - and that's where our defense should start, too. I pray that God will "search me, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). Let's all strive to renew our minds daily (Romans 12:2). Thank you for coming on this journey with me!
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