I remember a season in my life when I was not walking well in holiness and righteousness. I had been deeply wounded by some matters, and was not walking in my calling at all. At the time I was in Bible college and went to consult a professor.
“Get out of the country,” he told me. “Start doing the ministry work you were called to do.”
So I did. I went to Africa and spent several months doing whatever I could. It helped.
When we are not actively choosing to walk in what we are called to do, we get passive and the door opens to danger. This is what happened with David.
“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.” — 2 Samuel 11:1
When kings go off to war, David stayed home.
David was the king. He was supposed to be out there with his trips, but for whatever reason, he decided not to go. Who knows why.
What happened? One day he was on his rooftop when he looked over the wall and saw Bathsheba bathing. She was beautiful. Being king and one who had authority, he invited her over, surely “just to talk.”
He slept with her, she conceived, and now it was a crisis. To cover it, he had her husband killed. How many times has there been a death because of an unexpected pregnancy? Let it end!
David did not repent on his own. He had to be confronted by a prophet. He did repent, but the consequences were devastating:
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The baby ended up dying — 2 Samuel 12:14–18
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The sword would never depart from David’s house — 2 Samuel 12:10
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Evil would arise from within David’s own household — 2 Samuel 12:11
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David’s wives would be taken publicly — 2 Samuel 12:11–12; fulfilled in 2 Samuel 16:21–22
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Violence would plague David’s family — Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom killed Amnon, and Absalom later rebelled against David — 2 Samuel 13–18
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David’s family would become deeply divided — 2 Samuel 13–18
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David’s sin brought public reproach upon God’s name — 2 Samuel 12:14
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David experienced profound personal grief — especially over the deaths of his sons Amnon and Absalom — 2 Samuel 13:37; 18:33
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David was forgiven by God — “The LORD also has put away your sin” — 2 Samuel 12:13
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Forgiveness did not remove the earthly consequences of David’s sin — 2 Samuel 12:13–14
God did forgive David. But the consequences were massive. He was one who was in authority, and his sin hurt many people.
We shouldn’t be afraid when we are unable to walk in our calling, but when we willingly choose to stand still, we are in danger. Temptations come.
Man is a purpose-filled creature. When he tries to simply coast, or not take responsibilities where he should be taking responsibilities, problems occur.
When a person is on mission, they don’t always have time to think about sin. The responsibilities keep them active.
Although too much activity can be a problem also. That can lead to an emptiness of soul.
It is not about balance. I don’t believe in such a thing.
It is though about being obedient. Not shirking responsibility. Doing the things God has called us to do.
David chose to be passive.
Many lives paid a price.