David's Falls and Victories

Written by: John Sernaque

Call to Worship

2 Samuel 16: 10-11

16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

16:11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now [may this] Benjamite [do it]? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

David Accepted Humiliation as Necessary—

[2 Samuel 16:10, 11 quoted.] He [David] thus acknowledges, before his people and chief men, that this is the punishment God has brought upon him because of his sin, which has given the enemies of the Lord occasion to blaspheme; that the enraged Benjamite might be accomplishing his part of the punishment predicted, and that if he bore these things with humility, the Lord would lessen his affliction, and turn the curse of Shimei into a blessing. David does not manifest the spirit of an unconverted man. He shows that he has had an experience in the things of God. He manifests a disposition to receive correction from God, and, in confidence turns to Him as his only trust. God rewards David’s humble trust in Him, by defeating the counsel of Ahithophel, and preserving his life (The Spirit of Prophecy 1:383). {2BC 1024.3}

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1: 9-10. We cannot lie to God. God knows everything. God is a faithful and just God. He will forgive those who confess and repent of their sins. We are to expect a rebuke and chastening from God when we sin. It is correction from love. However, if we do not repent, the correction is far more severe. David accepted his correction with humility. If he had not, who knows what may have happened to King David. Would God have removed his candle? Perhaps. The moral is that we can run, but cannot hide from God. David was rewarded for his trust in God. God will do the same for you.

Our kind and gracious Father,

We come humbly into Your presence in thanksgiving and prayer. We are so sorry we have ever sinned against You. We have made mistakes and repent of our sins. We pray that in Your compassion and mercy, and by Your grace, that You forgive us of all our sins, the known and the unknown, and that You cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility we accept our correction and pray that we will do better going forward in our walk with You. We thank You and know the love You have for us, otherwise, You would not rebuke or chasten us. We thank

You for Your long-suffering towards us. We pray to see You coming in the clouds soon, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.