When we ignore the red flags...

I was greatly challenged this week in thinking about David in II Samuel. I was listening to a teacher that mentioned that David made his own, devestating decisions, in spite of God's gentle, though not so subtle nudges to do what was right. One of the first of God's nudgings, though not so gentle, is through Abigail. Abigail pleads for David to not let his anger toward her husband bring stain (the murder of her husband) against one who is one day to be the king. David listened and was grateful for God's saving him from a regrettable action in anger, and for the one obedient to deliver it, Abigail. We also see David later listening to God's "red flag" through Joab. In Samuel 19, Joab confronts David in his grief over Absalom's death (the son who was trying to take over David's position as king), warning that those who have loved and served him faithfully would look upon David's grief and lack of gratefulness to them as a threat, alienating them from King David. David listened and spoke to his faithful with thanks.

However, there are other times that David didn't heed the "red flags" sent by the Lord. For instance, it is recorded that when kings went out to war, King David stayed home. As he was walking, his eyes saw a beautiful maid, Bathsheba, bathing on the rooftop. David inquired about her, asking her to be brought to him and we read, "And one said, 'Is this not the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?' " The nudge to jar his senses to not pursue sin is delivered. You know what he did. He sent for her anyway and lay with her. The results are sickening... an unwanted pregnancy, leading to an attempt to cover wrongdoing which failed, leading to premeditated murder. The punishment for his sin was almost unbeareable...he would be the King of War ( 2 Samuel 12:10), evil would rise up against him in his own household, as well as a companion laying with David's wives in broad day light (both fulfilled by his son Absalom) , and the final blow...Bathsheba's boy would die. There was not enough remorse, and David was very remorseful, to change God's discipline. I'm sure God wanted David to learn his lesson well, just as he wants me to learn my lessons when flirting with and choosing sin. One would think that we would never again see David choose other than what God says to do....

But, David makes a decision to number his soldiers and horses in chapter 24...and God has said not to... so that Israel would depend on their God and not their "resources". Joab again is used to deliver accountability to obedience , " Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see; but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?" Joab, as respectfully as he could in approaching his King, his boss, is saying, "Don't do this... and embarass and bring shame on your country and kingship!" David follows his own wisdom, however, and sends Joab out to number his men, against the Lord's commands. Something different happens this time. David becomes aware of his wrongdoing without anyone having to confront him. As the numbers are coming in, he becomes remorseful and goes to God...troubled with his actions. God responds this time by giving David his choice of punishment...7 years of famine in the land, fleeing before foes for 3 months, or 3 days of pestilence throughout the nation. David chose the later...not wanting to "fall into the hands of men". It is recorded that 70,000 men from Beersheba to Dan died, and just as the angel was raising his hand toward Jerusalem, God relented. At that moment, David saw the angel and remorse seized him. From his heart he begged, "Behold it is I who have sinned and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Thy hand stand against me and against my father's house." Following a command from God, David erected an altar and the Lord was moved and the plague was held back.

Where do I start? David whom God names as a man with a "whole heart for God" ignored God's loving red flags, warnings "not to go there." He followed His own way and there were consequences. The first time, he had to be cornered by the prophet Nathan...and the discipline was unbearable. But David knew he deserved it and chose to pick himself up and go on. The second time he regretted his actions right after the numbers came in, before confrontation by God or God's prophet, Gad. Therefore, God gave David the choice of punishment. We still see David's selfish heart, "but do not let me fall into the hand of man", but as word came to the king of all the dying men, 70,000, he became even more remorseful, begging the punishment to be upon himself and his father's house. David seemingly really changed... finally! From selfish to selfless. From "who me?", to "I'm the guilty." The closing of his life comes and Soloman, Bethsheba's son is given the throne.

There is one more thing. After really "blowing it" all these times, does David sit around and mope? After all, his greatest dream, building a temple to house his God, has become a lost dream... part of the consequences of his sin. NO! He then decides that he may not be able to complete his dream, but he can do the work needed to be the best of help for the one who would get to build the temple. We see that David in the later years of his reign collecting all the materials needed for his son to be able to get straight to the work of building God's house instead of being depressed or bitter with the situation.

So, how well have I learned these lessons?

Do I listen to those nudges or red flags God sends my way...His efforts to keep me in obedience and thus escape those things undesired?

Do I accept discipline and see God's loving hand in it? Do I accept my own discipline, taking ownership of sin in my life, or "push" it off on others?

Do I give thanks for those in my life that are the prophet Gad or Joab to me... pointing out when I'm about to step into sin? How about when they call me to "ownership" of those things that are displeasing when "worn" by a child of God?

I need to listen...
I need to obey...

Good thing the Lord loved and helped King David...
Good thing He loves and helps me as well...

I need it!

Autumn...

...the close of summer. Cool days and frost push out the warm embraces of spring and summer days. The young leave baby dependent days for food and shelter behind and start the survival bid on their own.

Seasons...4 a year. Then we start all over again. Seasons of a life...4... never to be repeated again. Dependency, adolescence, independence and old age...possible dependence in a different way. All in a plan. All for a divine purpose. I am approaching the fourth phase of my life... do I have the desire to be part of the Plan? Am I willing to do the work of molding and becoming more wise as the days go on? Who will I be as I enter that "old age"? I pray the answer is, "Just who He wanted me to be in representing Him and His big plan in life."

Let's get the work done while I have the energy left... OK? Winter makes me slow!!!

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit;
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
to eternal life." Jude 20,21