SEP 3

2 Samuel 11
Memorise 1 Peter 5:8
"be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

On the flip side, when you think about great moral failures and succumbing to temptations of the flesh, the famous example one would recall would be that of David and Bathsheba. He was a great king, chosen of God, described as a man after God’s own heart. He wrote beautiful Psalms that spoke of his passion for God and His Word, and also how he greatly desired to walk close to God, praise and glorify Him. His life and devotion to God were set as the yardstick by which all future kings of Judah would be compared against. Yet despite all his achievements, and all that he was lauded for, there is one large black mark that stains the otherwise exemplary life of David, and that is the sin of adultery with Bathsheba.

How did such a man like David fall? Well the narrative begins with an introduction that tells of how David was idling at home when other kings would have been leading their men in battle, having sent Joab in his place. He did not deliberately intend to sin that day, but because he had nothing better to do, David took a walk on the roof top, and that was when he noticed the beautiful Bathsheba washing herself. One thing led to another, and before long he found himself in bed with her, despite the fact that she was already married to his soldier Uriah. Thus while that brave man was out fighting for him, David was in bed committing adultery with his wife. In this whole incident David not only broke the 7th commandment, but he also first coveted, then lied to Uriah, murdered him, and stole his wife. The tragic sins and the decisions that followed had numerous repercussions on the life and family of David, and his reign as a king was never the same after that.

So you see, it all began when David was complacent. He was relaxing, free, and at that moment, he let his guard drop, and temptation came and snared him! If this same thing had happened when he was out in the battlefield fighting for his life, he probably wouldn’t even take a second look. With his guard down, at that moment, he forgot about God, and allowed his carnal lusts to take over. He rationalised away his sin, and plunged headlong into his crimes. Dear Teen, may we learn from this negative example of David, and never allow ourselves to fall into the same temptations of lust and sin.

Thought: An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
Prayer: Lord, may You guard my soul and help me to always be vigilant.