David's Sin Exposed
2 Samuel 12:12, "For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun."
David committed adultery with Bathsheba privately, and attempted to conceal it, by getting her husband Uriah killed in battle. He then married her immediately so he could hide the shame of his deeds. David's actions were not consistent with the way God commands us to deal with our sin. God will not allow his people to lie about sin and do nothing to repent of it. As a matter of fact God promised, "I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." Just as the sun in it's magnificent light makes it impossible to conceal things, so God will deal with His children in faithfulness.
David did repent of his sin after being confronted by Nathan the prophet, and God forgave him, but the consequences of sin is never fully known. 2 Samuel 12:13-14, "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." It is sad that in his sin David gave an occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme, to speak ill of God, and God's king.
May we remember three things:
First, do your very best to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and say no to sin and temptation.
Second, if you do sin, deal with it by confessing it immediately. Proverbs 28:13 states "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." David chose to cover his sin, rather than confessing and forsaking it.
Third, don't forget your sin impacts not only you, but also others and what others think of the God who we testify is our Saviour. We should not bring reproach upon the name of our Saviour.
May we live in close relationship with the Lord, and remember if we sin to confess it immediately and forsake it completely.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. In what area of your life do you see yourself most vulnerable to temptation?
2. Is there any current sin in your life which you are attempting to hide or cover? What does God want you to do?
3. How has your sin in the past impacted the lives of others near you?