Christian Living

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David was 30 years old when he became king. (II Samuel 5:4) God was with him as he "became greater and greater." (5:10) The reason for this is that David was an obedient servant.

When David was seeking God's will to go up against the Philistines, the Lord gave him very specific instructions which he carried out. Then God gave him a battle strategy and in verse 24 we read 3 important phrases: "when you hear", "act promptly", and "the Lord will have gone before you." What a great application for us today. Listen and act, because God has prepared the way.

Now fast forward a bit to 7:5. God sends Nathan, the prophet, to ask David a question about building a house for the Lord to dwell in. This is another test of faith. After a long discourse with God, wonderfully narrated in verses 7:18-27, David says he will build the house.

Chapter 8 records that "the Lord helped David wherever he went." (verses 6 and 14) This story concludes with David ruling over all of Israel and administering justice and righteousness for all the people. Wouldn't that be nice to have a king like that today?

David rose to great fame and responsibility as a direct result of obedience to God. God's favor was upon him in whatever he did. He listened to God and acted with a heart after God.

Are you listening to God today? Or are you allowing too much noise and distraction from the culture? Wouldn't it be nice to have God help YOU wherever you go? Then you must be obedient to His plans.

However, greatness and blessing come with a price. Back in chapter 6, verse 16, David was rejoicing, leaping, and dancing over a victory, but Michal, Saul's daughter, saw him doing this and despised him. People sometimes will not like you if you become successful, victorious, and see God's blessing upon your life. But, be obedient to God you must, no matter what people think or how they feel about you. If you are not, you will never know what God has in store for you.

David's life was about to take a negative turn in chapter 11. David was at home when he should have been at war. Verse 1 says "...at the time when kings go out to battle...David stayed at Jerusalem." He was on the roof of his house and happened to see Bathsheba bathing, and then summoned her and committed adultery with the wife of Uriah the Hittite. (verse 3)

Then things get even worse. David requested that Uriah be put at the front of the battle line so he would be killed. Indeed, he was, and David took Bathsheba as his wife. So, neglect of duty in fighting the war led to an abundance of down time at home. This led to lust and adultery, which eventually resulted in murder, and "the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of God." (verse 27)

Moving into chapter 12 we see Nathan, the prophet, who had done many things for David and paved the way for his success, ask the question, "Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in his sight?"

Then David responded by acknowledging his sin before God and received forgiveness. He fasted and worshipped the Lord, but the child born to him and Bathsheba died. Verse 14 very harshly declares, "However, because by this deed you have given occassion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die."

This story ends on a sad note but with some profound wisdom, profitable for all people today. Adversity can come as quickly as blessing. Blessing results from obedience and faith, but blessing can come to a halt by poor choices with how you use your time. Poor choices, in this case lust, can bring you down, destroy one's reputation, and bring disdain to the name of God. Poor choices can also negatively impact your family and children.

We can all, especially young people, learn from this episode in David's life.

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