Read: 2 Samuel 11
Recent events within the leadership of the SBC have caused me to reflect once again upon 2 Samuel 11. This passage is a warning to every leader and to every believer about the danger of temptation. It is a reminder to each of us of our great capacity for sin and our great need of our savior. And some hearing of the fall of others quickly said, “it could never happen to me,” let’s be reminded of the wisdom of 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
2 Samuel 11 opens by telling us it was spring, the time when kings went out to battle. But we are informed that David did not attend the battle. He sent others to fight, but he chose not to fight himself. David decides to stay home while the army of Israel is at war. He is in bed when he should be in the battle!
It’s not sinful to be in bed, there is nothing wrong with rest; as a matter of fact, I’m a big fan of rest. But leaders need to know when to lead and when to rest. David was resting when he should have been leading.
When we avoid our God-given responsibilities, Satan will always offer us ungodly activities. So David rises off his couch late one afternoon after a long day of rest. He goes up on the rooftop, sees Bathsheba bathing nearby, and you know the rest of the story.
If David had just looked away and walked away, he would have saved himself, his family, and those who followed him great grief, disappointment, and pain.
PRAYER PROMPT: Father we thank you for the promise that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Please help us to take heed and stand strong.
Adron Robinson is pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills and president of the Illinois Baptist State Association.