So David had it all together, didn't he? King of Israel, Commander in Chief of the army, beautiful wives, children, and riches galore. His life was perfect, at least from the outside looking in.
What more could he want? What more could he need? He had it all. And then he saw a beautiful woman. He wanted her. The only wife of one of his soldiers. Someone who should have been off limits.
In fact, he shouldn't have been home in the first place. He should have been off to war, as verse 1 of today's passage tells us: "in the spring, at the time when kings go off to war..." But he was home, and he had time on his hands. He wasn't where he should have been. And he goes down a path that leads to sin, to heartache, to murder, to grief, to devastation. David recognizes his sin (read Psalm 51) and he asks God for forgiveness. Yes, David was a man after God's own heart.
This passage is a cautionary tale for all of us. What has God asked you to do with your life? Where has he placed you? There is a plan for each of us, a plan to bring God glory through our work, our life, our witness. I don't have a kingdom like David, did but God tells me through scripture what he wants from me.: Take a look at Micah 6:8:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. [emphasis added]
David had it all together, but he got careless. He took his kingdom for granted, and he delegated responsibilities that should have been his to others so that he could satisfy selfish desires. Paul says it well in Philippians 3:14:
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Don't ever tire of doing good!
Lord, it's so easy to get distracted, and to take my eyes off the prize of doing your will. Help me to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly. Forgive me when I stray. Amen.
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