It was the time when the kings were going forth to battle... but David didn't go forth. He sent someone else in his place. And it was during this time of ease and inactivity that a new battle faced David, the battle of his flesh. And he gave in...
Thus enters Bathsheba into the story... He not only goes and sleeps with another man's wife, but he then arranges the murder of that man to cover up his sin. How could David do such a thing?
In the book Patriarchs and Prophets we are told, "David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his wise and able rule. It was now, while he was at ease and unguarded, that the tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind. The fact that God had taken David into so close connection with Himself and had manifested so great favor toward him, should have been to him the strongest of incentives to preserve his character unblemished. But when in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt." (p. 718)
This could have been the end of David's story... but David acknowledges his sin, as we see in the beautiful Psalm 51 (which is also providentially part of today's reading!) "I acknowledge my sin... and against thee only have I sinned," David cries as he prays to God. "Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." (Ps. 51:3-4, 10-12)
In Psalm 51 we discover afresh that the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart. David may have committed adultery, and he may have committed murder... but he was truly repentant of his sin, and God heard his cry. And as we will see in upcoming chapters, God blessed the fruit of his marriage to Bathsheba... while their first child (born from their dark night affair, had to die) it was from Bathsheba that Solomon (their second child) would later be born.
This gives hope for us today, because although we may sin and walk away, when we acknowledge our sin and in true hearted repentance, fall before His throne, He will hear, He will forgive, and He will make us clean again! Praise the Lord for this promise!
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me! May this be our daily prayer!
Tomorrow's Reading: 2 Sam. 13-14 and 1 Cor. 6
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