…”But David tarried still at Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1b).
Our study writer shifts to another form of discouragement. She states “personal sin is one of the hardest disappointments to endure.” I looked at this as if you or I had become the prodigal. Sin begins as seemingly harmless but can grow into something that will take us farther from God than we ever intended to go.
The portion of the above verse marks the outset of David’s great sin. Some may have wondered what the big deal was about of David not going to battle with the other kings. The phrase “being in the wrong place at the wrong time” may come to our minds, but, at the time, not to David’s. The words “if only” were going to fill an afterthought for him.
When we do wrong and it doesn’t seem to bother us, we foolishly ask ourselves, “was that really so bad?” As we gradually choose to continue in sin, we learn the hard way the answer to that question. The Holy Spirit has convicted us and we become discouraged within ourselves. Thank God! He hasn’t abandoned you! Run to Him no matter how tough it may seem to forgive yourself. He loves you and doesn’t want you to wallow in self-pity. God will pick up your broken pieces and put you back together again.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for home missionaries in the process of remodeling potential meeting places.
