David and Bathsheba In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army… But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.… Extracts from 2 Samuel 11:1-5
Comment
We all mess up. David was the most successful king in the Bible, ‘a man after God’s own heart’ and he still messed up. Instead of being where he should be (at war) he took his eye off the ball, stayed at home, succumbed to temptation, misused his authority, committed adultery, and later murder. Not good.
In Christ our sins are forgiven but sin always has repercussions. Devastation resulted in David’s family. I’m often vulnerable to sin when things are going well! We do well to be aware of our weaknesses and vulnerabilties and to help each other to avoid ‘messing up’.
Prayer (To be done together, each in turn)
Dear Lord. You hate sin and it always has consequences. Help both of us to avoid it. Show us where we are weak and vulnerable, what habits we need to change and how to help and encourage each other to sin less. In particular I am concerned with _____ (a particular aspect of my life), please help me and guide _____ (my partner) to help me in this particular area where I know I am weak. Amen
Prayer (for others)
Dear Lord. We lift up _____ and _____ to you. Help them to know themselves and to support each other, to flee from temptation and to avoid sin. Help them to fight sin together, as a unit. Amen
Quote
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal 6:7
