“But the thing that David had
done displeased the Lord.” (v.27b)
Here in chapter 11 we have the story of David and
Bathsheba. The reminder that a beautiful women can arouse desires even in the
best of men – intentionally or unintentionally. I’m sure bathing on her roof
top Bathsheba never thought that David was watching her. She probably did this
many times, especially in the summer months. However, whether unintentional or
not, men are weak when it comes to beauty and must fight hard against the
desire to engage in some way.
Scripture tells us that David saw her bathing, that she was
very beautiful to behold, and that he inquired about her (vv.2-3). Had
David stopped right here he could have saved himself from additional sin,
Bathsheba from the loss of her husband and her child, and Uriah’s life. He
still would have been guilty of his lustful desires, but that sin would have
been contained with him and the eventual consequences to others contained.
David’s sin was displeasing to the LORD not just because
his initial transgression, but for everything that followed it as a result.
Later when David is confronted by Nathan the priest through a parable
concerning his secret sins, he confesses his wrong doings and both askes and
receives forgiveness. However, the consequences of his actions did not change
and he had to live with those results the rest of his life.
There’s an old saying, “if you play with fire, you’re going
to get burned.” If you are toying with some secret sin, let it go now! Give it
to God. Ask for His forgiveness before you sin hurts both yourself and others.
The Truth
“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from my secret
faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have
dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great
transgression.” (Psalm 19:12-13)