April 5, 2010

Today's reading: II Samuel 10, 11, 12; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5


II Samuel 11:1-2, "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. 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."

Some people have a misconception about sin. They think their sin will not have an impact upon other. This is wrong. Think of it like throwing a rock into a calm lake. When the rock hits the water it forms ripples and they go on and on and on. This is how sin works. It keeps having that ripple effect.

In our Scriptures today we see David committed a sin. He stayed home instead of going out to battle like he should. This seems like it could have been okay. He would not be killed in battle and other thing that might seem like good things. However, disobedience is never the right thing to do.

After David disobeyed by not going he was looking around and saw a woman and we all know about his great sin with Bathsheba. What a tragedy! As a result of this seemingly small sin of looking upon this woman as she was bathing, David got into deeper and deeper sin. He even involved other people too. He had Joab bring Uriah to him. When Uriah would not conform to his convoluted plan, David had him killed. David stooped from looking at a naked woman to committing murder and enlisting innocent people to do the "dirty work" for him.

Look at another result of David's sin. Look at II Samuel 12:22-23, "And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Yes, she became pregnant and as a result of sin the child died. Sin has far reaching consequences and we need to remember that.

How are you doing?