We don’t often think of ourselves as having a “kingdom” such as King David did. Yet, to gain a deeper understanding of our eternal kind of life in God’s present kingdom it is important to understand what a kingdom or queendom is. Theologian Dallas Willard states, "We each have one. It is a realm that is uniquely our own, where our choice determines what happens. This is a truth that reaches into the deepest part of what it is to be a person of the “rule” God gave us.”
Pastor Adam pointed out in his teaching that our own self-righteousness often gets in the way of God’s work in our lives and in the lives of others. John Calvin remarked rather balefully, “Everyone flatters himself and carries a kingdom in his breast.” He went on to say “there is nobody who does not imagine that he is really better than the others.” We presume to rule others within our “kingdom,” don’t we? It can be in opinion and word or it can be in deed, but we are certainly capable - and maybe prone - to let our self-righteousness get out of control.
Dallas Willard goes on to say that we have been made by God to “have dominion” within an appropriate domain of reality. This is the core of the likeness or image of God in us and is the basis of the destiny for which we were formed. We are all never ceasing spiritual beings with a unique eternal calling to count for good in God’s great universe.
This week’s study and the Bible's simple, consistent picture of human beings in relation to God make it clear God equipped us for this “kingdom task” by framing our nature to function in a conscious, personal relationship of interactive responsibility WITH him. Willard states, "We are meant to exercise our “rule” only in union with God, as he acts with us. He intended to be our constant companion or co-worker in the creative enterprise of life on earth. That is what his love for us means in practical terms.”
King David rose to power. King David had control. King David had a kingdom. And…..King David seems to have taken matters into his own hands and left God out of the equation. He ended up rationlizing one bad decision after another and they piled up. Yet, he was a man of prayer. A man who worshipped. How does this happen? It happened to King David 3000 years ago, and it still happens today. Could it be happening in your life? CS Lewis warns followers of Jesus about such subtle dangers: “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is ‘finding his place in it’ while really it is finding its place in him.”
INVITATION: Are you willing to examine your own life and “kingdom” this week? Are you willing to admit you have a sin problem (we ALL do)? It’s not a popular message these days - in books, in churches or in any type of conversation. It is “offensive” and “judgmental.” Yet it is true. It is scriptural. You are a sinner and so am I. Are you willing to consider how much you rationalize, deflect, deny and possibly blame? All too often we judge others by their actions, but judge ourselves only on our intensions. Will you allow God “to search you and know you” at your deepest level - heart, mind and soul? (Psalm 139).
MONDAY: II Samuel 11:1-5: These initial verses recount what almost everyone has heard about the “story of David and Bathsheba.” Pastor Adam focused on--and today we focus on--the small, often forgotten line, “But David remained in Jerusalem.” David is a leader and a ruler. Just about everything he had touched went well. Perhaps he felt “justified” in kicking back and relaxing. Delegating is a good leadership skill - right? But it's clear David delegated things he was supposed to be doing himself. Then, bad decisions piled up: He wasn't where he should have been, he saw what he shouldn’t have seen and then he took steps he shouldn’t have taken. His bad decisions multiplied. Bad decisions that were punishable by death for anyone else. He was abusing his power, position and privilege to get what he wanted. Is there a chain of bad decisions you may need to put a stop to in your life and “kingdom?” Can you be honest about if you are feeling conviction about something in your life and stop for prayer and honesty with God right now? It’s been said that “confession is simply admitting ‘I’ve wandered’ and ‘I want to go home.”
TUESDAY: II Samuel 11:6-17: These verses deal with David’s attempts at covering up his mistakes. The moral compass of Uriah is much higher than David’s. Is there someone in your life right now that might be a good spiritual mentor and advisor? That can help you see untruths and rationalizations in your life? Do you have a place to be open and honest about things going on, not only in your life, but also in your heart and mind? Many people go to a Spiritual Director - someone trained in helping you see God’s activity in their life and respond to it. Have you ever considered such a spiritual discipline and practice in your life? It might have helped David. It might have helped many pastor’s who have had failures. It might help ANYONE who is trying to follow God in their life. What can you put in place to be sure you don’t begin to rationalize, justify and blame?
WEDNESDAY: II Samuel 11:18-12:8: In his 1986 commencement address at the University of California at Berkeley, trader Ivan Boesky asserted: “Greed is all right…Greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself.” That was 1986 but is still likely being taught and believed in today’s culture. David might have been comforted by such an adviser, and you might as well. However, David had Nathan, whose rebuke helped him recognize and repent of his greediness and SIN in arranging Uriah’s death and using Bathsheba. In what areas of your life are you greedy, taking more than you need and failing to be grateful for what you have received? Are there “Ivans” inside you or around you who encourage you to rationalize this behavior for as “good?” Do you have a “Nathan” in your life who challenges you to confront your weaknesses and help you to be your best self?
THURSDAY: II Samuel 12:9-14: God fully forgives but there are often still consequences. Could you be dealing with consequences of unconfessed sin in your life? There may still be consequences even after confession, but a sincere time of confession with God cleanses and wipes the slate clean. Your sin is as far as the “east is from the west.” (Psalm 103). Do you need to have a time of confession with God to rid you of shame and guilt? Conviction is from the Spirit. Shame and guilt are not.
FRIDAY: II Samuel 12:15-31: David’s pleading and fasting constitute a prayer of intercession, which in his day was a priestly act of loving identification with a suffering person. For whom are you called to intercede today? Bring one or more persons into your heart and mind. In love, try to identify with their need or distress. Perhaps in this time of quarantine it might be especially important to ask the Lord who you can intercede for since we are not seeing and talking to others as often. Hold them in your heart and open yourself to God’s love for them. Let that love flow through you toward those in need.
SATURDAY: Psalm 51: Pastor Adam closed with this Psalm of David that expresses repentance. As you have prayed and been in scripture this week, is this a prayer that might be helpful in your life? Many find it helpful to actually LIST their sins for which they are requesting mercy and forgiveness. And, you might consider making this a regular spiritual practice so things don’t “pile up” like they did for David. Our sins are individual acts of commission and omission, so perhaps a daily, or weekly listing of some sort might be helpful? Many people find starting each prayer time with a time of confession to be helpful and a good spiritual practice. Or, perhaps attach confession to something that is already a regular occurrence in your life, such as bedtime? Brushing your teeth? Showering?