For the past several weeks, I have been writing a blog series titled “Six Signs You Are Heading in the Wrong Direction.” This week, Sign #4 was on my weekend column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC). If you need to catch up and read the first 3 signs, just follow the links at the end of this post.
As always, thank you for stopping by!
Patricia
He was supposed to be at war, but, instead, he sent Joab to lead the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites.
Night falls, and the king cannot sleep. So, he goes to the roof of the palace, where he sees a beautiful woman bathing. Instead of looking away, his gaze lingers, and lust sets in his heart. David then calls for Bathsheba, the wife of one of his faithful soldiers. He sleeps with her, and she conceives a child.
In a twist and turn of events that rivals the plot of any best-selling novel, David invites Uriah, the betrayed husband, into the palace, eats and drinks with him, and eventually orders the army’s general to send the poor guy to the frontline and withdraw all help, so that the man could be easily killed in battle. Thus, a merciless, cunning, evil plot stained the beautiful life story of the king that God called “a man after my own heart.”
For thousands of years, David’s life has been one of the most highlighted stories in Scriptures: The lion-killing, giant-slaying young boy, appointed king because of the purity of his heart and faithfulness to his God. The mighty, conquering king, who slipped and fell into a spiraling wave of sins — from adultery to lies to murder. The repentant man, who cried out to God in anguish, seeking his forgiveness and redemption. The forgiven king, who realized his mistakes, turned his life around and got back on track, following God’s plan until the end of his days.
When we come to this part of David’s story, there is no doubt: The king was heading in the wrong direction. He could certainly have avoided the first sin by looking away, and yet, he gave in. That was his first misstep. Instead of stopping there, he used his kingly authority to lie with a married woman — the second step on the wrong road. He could have stopped there. But he went on. Lying. Killing.
All along, David knew better. Deep down, he knew he was wrong. But he dismissed the signs: the lack of peace and anxiety that flooded his heart … God’s commandments that had been broken. Indeed, he was blinded by lust and pride, determined to get his way. That’s when God, in his mercy and grace, sent David one last chance: Nathan, the prophet.
Nathan was not a stranger to the king. He was the one who announced the covenant God made with David, to build an eternal dynasty for his house, wherein Messiah would come. Nathan was involved in the music of the temple, one of David’s passions. Nathan knew David. And, as good friends (and prophets) do, he did not withhold the truth. Nathan told it like it was.
An old Jewish proverb says: “A friend is one who warns you.” Click To TweetI could not agree more.
I look back and reminisce the times I was heading in the wrong direction, either missing or ignoring signs, when someone close to me was used as a lighthouse, shedding light on the path I had chosen. Their wise insights opened my eyes to see dangers, rebuked sin, or answered my prayers. Those situations have made me sensitive and humble to listen to the voice of wise friends, and inspired me to become that same voice in the lives of the people I love.
Conversely, we do have to be careful, because many times people will give us wrong and unwise advice. There are undoubtedly those so-called friends who “tell it like it is” out of jealousy or unkindness. We can easily identify those. However, when a kind, wise and godly person points out that something we are doing is either unwise or simply wrong, as uncomfortable and unsettling as it may be, it is wise to leave our pride aside and listen carefully.
Just as it happened to King David, they may just be a tool God is using to bring us back to our senses, turn us around, and save us from a lifetime of headache and loss.
Before dismissing them as nosy, let us think again. They may be our last warning sign.
This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday, April 14th, 2018.
If you would like to read the other messages on this Blog Series, click below to visit each blog post:
Sometimes it's hard to know if we are in the center of God's will. In this blog series, you can read about 6 signs that you may be heading in the wrong direction. Check it out! Click To TweetBlog Series: Six Signs You Are Heading in the Wrong Direction
Sign # 1 – You have no peace about your decision
David’s story of sin and forgiveness is so compelling, Patricia. Every time I read it, I’m left wondering “what got into him?” that he turned to sin. But don’t we all fall and need to ask for God’s forgiveness? Our stories, like David’s, can have a happy ending.
Blessings!
I love when those ‘lighthouses’ show up!
Patricia,
I am enjoying this series! You speak such truth it is always encouraging or eye opening to read your posts. I really appreciate your faithfulness to what God has called you to do. Thanks so much!
Terri