The scripture gives an account of an occurrence in the life of David, the anointed of the Lord and the one who according to the Lord was a man after his own heart. It happened that the whole of the army of Israel went for a battle, but David the king didn't go with them. As to what reason he decided to stay back, the scripture gives no explanation. If he had gone to the battle, maybe there could have been a different story as opposed to the one that was captured in the scripture. Just maybe he wouldn't have fallen into the temptation of sleeping with another man's wife. Maybe the consequences that came as a result wouldn't have been so only if he had gone to the battle (read 2 Samuel 11 and 12). At the time when kings went to battle, David the king decided to stay back and that caused him something serious. May the Lord help us.
The scripture records that in the evening while walking on the roof of his house, he saw a woman bathing, and not being able to control his desire, he slept with her (summarized). This is a call to us as believers to constantly guard our hearts against every thought that will in no way glorify God.
When the woman told him she was pregnant, he thought of what to do to cover up for his sin. It was in the process of trying to cover up for his sin, that he killed Uriah (the husband of the woman he slept with). He didn't just sleep with anyone but a woman who had her husband already. Isn't this what is referred to as adultery? The king David committed adultery and this act of his displeased the Lord greatly. This was the basis for the 51st Psalm. It came from a man who having been confronted for his deeds, became remorseful that he had to seek the face of God for forgiveness. It will be safe to say that David was not just a man after God's heart because he was perfect or because he lived perfectly all his life but one who was broken, and contrite in heart. When he erred, he didn't think to justify himself but was broken enough to ask God for mercy. Are you like David? Let's see the passage of scripture below,
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:17).
David being remorseful for his action, and having sought forgiveness from the Lord said, "The sacrifices of the Lord are a broken spirit" ( one who is remorseful for his actions and will come seeking the Lord for pardon and repentance for his misdeeds just like David did): a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise( of a man like David who received grace and forgiveness from God, he says to you and I that God does not despise a broken and contrite heart).
Dear believer, God is our Father and he would look on us with great compassion anytime we come no matter how many times we err. He will not despise us if we come to him with a broken and contrite heart. This however is not to say that we are at liberty to constantly frustrate the grace of God. It is not a license to live our lives just the way we please. It is however a message to us that we are not to condemn ourselves but go to him (God) for he is ever ready, stretching his arms to receive us.
Thought for the day: Do not seek to justify yourself when you err. If the Spirit of God convicts you of a thing you did, an action you took, a word you said, be broken enough to tell him you are sorry. He does not reject the plea from a heart that is contrite and broken.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].
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