2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 – You Are the Man!

Why is it we are so quick to judge others while we are lenient with ourselves?  We are able to make excuses for ourselves, justifying our actions and behaviors.  When we knowingly do something wrong, we come up with reasons as to why it’s not so bad…at least we aren’t hurting anyone else.  But oftentimes we are.

Life is filled with cause and effect.  When we do something that isn’t quite on the up-and-up we have to cover up.  Maybe misleading someone here or omitting some information there…at least we’re not lying – because that would be wrong.  This deception grows and grows until it’s out of control.  But if someone else did the same thing? We would be horrified by their behavior.

From the beginning of today’s passage, David was tangled in a web of sin of his own making.  In the spring, when kings go off to war, King David didn’t go.  Instead, he sent someone else.  Instead of going and doing what he was supposed to, he sent Joab with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.  Instead of leading his people, he was lounging around Jerusalem.  Truly the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” apply here (this saying is often credited to St. Jerome or Chaucer).

First, David takes another man’s wife and she becomes pregnant.  Instead of confessing his sin, he calls for her husband, Uriah, but he sleeps with the servants.  Now here is an upright man, doing what is right.  David isn’t convicted of his sin, instead, he decides to get Uriah drunk – surely then he will stay with his wife.  But no.  Even in a drunken state, Uriah does what is right.  David still doesn’t confess.

So now, David is lazy, avoids responsibility, an adulterer, a liar, and a deceit.  And now, he adds murderer.  This spiral of sin has grown out of control.  But when Nathan comes and confronts David with his story, David is very quick to judge another for a similar wrong.  Sometimes we are harshest with those who struggle in the same areas we do.  Instead of developing a compassionate understanding, we comfort ourselves knowing that “we aren’t as bad as                              .”

The lesson here is just do what you are supposed to do!  Seek God and follow Him.  Then you won’t have time to “play with fire.”  There are consequences to your actions, but confess and repent before things get worse!  Your sins will be taken away – even David’s sins were taken away (11:13b), but the repercussions of your sin will remain.  And have compassion for others who struggle with sin.  We need to lovingly correct one another – not condemn one another.  Though we are not called to turn away and ignore the sin either.

God loves you so much!  I’m praying for you J

Pastor Amy