I had a book that I wanted to review this week, but today (10-24-21), after hearing our Pastor’s message, there were so many things he said that resonated with me and one particular thing that I have been thinking about all day.

The message was on David and Bathsheba. The Pastor pointed out that when David chose to sin that day…he took one step after another that set him on a course to spiral out of control. The story is in 2 Samuel 11.

1. It was the time of year when “kings went to battle”, but David chose not to go.
2. David was already in bed in the early evening, he wasn’t working or doing his Kingly duties.
3. He saw a woman bathing, and he chose to keep looking, instead of turning away.

One small step led to another until he had Bathsheba’s husband killed and took her for his wife. We all know the story. And that story is what David is most remembered for. We forget he killed a Lion and a Bear. We forget he killed Goliath. We forget how gracious he was with Saul. We forget at one time David had a heart after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). Instead, we remember his worse moment. If you would like to hear some very interesting facts about David and Bathsheba you can listen to the message from our Pastor here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MG3jJ8k1v8 (You can enjoy all of the video or skip to the message only)

The statement from our Pastor that I have thought about all day… and I am paraphrasing because I can’t remember his exact words— but it went something like this — when David finally got it right he went back to the beginning— where it all started. The verse our Pastor referenced was 2 Samuel 12:13a “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.”

And that is the beginning for me. What I have thought about all day. The root. Where it began.

I was walking strong as a believer in my teen years and then I made one wrong choice, and then another, and then another. Like David, those choices added up to not being in the will of God, for my life.

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17

I could blame those wrong choices on a number of things… and on other people… and I would have some legitimate reasons for doing so, but the root is really that “I have sinned against the LORD.” That is the beginning.

As I accept what I have done, it doesn’t erase all the consequences I have lived with because of my choices, but with repentance, it can cleanse my heart and mind and take me back to the innocent days before I made those choices. Days filled with peace and hope for my future.

I would like to encourage parents to stay vigilant in guarding your children and their hearts. Keep them in church. Read and study the Bible at home with your children and pray with them. Check out friendships and relationships. Steer them toward other young people who are strong for the LORD. Make sure they understand they should only date others who have a strong relationship with God and are living it out.

Parents, this is your job, your God given responsibility to your children.

The beginning.

The beginning of having children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that are living for and serving the LORD.

If your own parents didn’t do that for you, then you have to go back to where you messed up. Don’t blame others, take responsibility like David did. Go back to where it began to go wrong for you and look at what you needed. Then provide that for your children.

I want to go back, and remember, and let all the wrong choices from the past be a witness and testimony to steer my days so I will make right choices going forward. I want to use my wrong choices to help others not make the same mistakes. If you would like to do that, I have a song to share that will give you hope to begin your journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWRlRkkvV0

Enjoy!