Finish: Imitating An Imperfect KingSample

David continued to face challenges even after he became king, some of his own making and some created by others. Thanks to his preparation, David was equipped to handle them in a way that honored God, even though he sometimes felt overwhelmed. 

The mistake David’s most famous for is his affair with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his most trustworthy soldiers, Uriah. Not only did David have an affair with Bathsheba, but he arranged to put Uriah in harm’s way so he would be killed—and he was—so David could marry Bathsheba and hide the fact that he had conceived a child with another man’s wife. 

How in the world did David, God’s chosen king, beloved, protected, and gifted, get himself into that mess? Easy. David may not have planned to have an affair, but he didn’t plan not to. When you stop moving forward, you usually slip backwards.

Used to winning, David got lazy. When his army went to war, he hung back, something kings just didn’t do. David’s laziness created time and opportunity for him to sin. Huge mistake!  No longer actively pursuing God’s plan, David took a giant step off the path God had laid out for him. Soon, he was out of control and making all kinds of bad decisions. 

However, when Nathan confronted David, David saw clearly what he had been doing. His response to the truth of his sin is what sets him apart from other kings—what sets him apart from most people—who find themselves in similar situations. 

He didn’t justify his actions or make excuses, but threw himself at God’s feet. More upset that he’d let God down than the fact he’d made of mess of his and other people’s lives, David waited for God to set things right.  When his baby died, David wasn’t bitter or resentful.  He simply moved forward with new resolve to obey and honor God and endure the consequences of his actions.

As is always appropriate, David loved God more than anyone else and cared more about the state of God’s reputation than he cared about getting what he wanted for himself or those he loved. 

Thank God for confronting you with your sin and giving you the chance to turn things around with His help and for His glory.