Day 94

A Great Man Commits a Great Sin

Read: 2 Samuel 8-11

David soundly defeats his enemies on all sides. He is riding high. But the time of success can be a time of special spiritual danger. David no longer goes forth to battle himself; he sends others. He is in control of everything—except himself! Bathsheba was also at fault. Should she not have been more careful to be modest? In a day of great immodesty, Christian women should dare to be different, difficult as this may be. The Bible specifically says to dress modestly (see 1 Tim. 2:9-10).

But David was fully responsible for his action. He should have put the sight of Bathsheba out of his mind. But he chose to dwell on it. Wrong thinking led to wrong action.

David committed adultery. How could this man after God’s own heart do such a thing! No matter how common adultery is today, it is abominable in the sight of God. David got the woman pregnant. He tried to cover it up by calling her soldier husband home from battle. When that didn’t work, he arranged to have her husband killed. Once caught in the web of sin, we are tempted to try to cover up one sin through another. It may succeed temporarily, but not in the long run, because God will reign in righteousness.

PRAYER
Father, give us the wisdom to avoid temptation and the strength to say no when it comes. In Jesus’ name. Amen