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Don't Be A Disillusionment To Others Mar 01 2009
"However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." - 2 Samuel 12:14
David had committed a horrible succession of sins. When Nathan confronted David with his sins, David - and give him credit for this - finally confessed and sought the Lord's forgiveness. God did forgive him, but serious consequences remained. The enemies of Israel would now be making fun of God. David's actions had been so alien to the Lord's teachings that he was causing God to be ridiculed. "After all," they would say, "if this man of God who is supposed to be a good man that is your king, if he acts like this...guilty of adultery, murdering the woman's husband and then marrying the woman...hey - you are no different from us!"
All of us have been around ministries when a spiritual leader falls into sin, and we know the disillusionment within the church. But we also know the mocking outside the body of Christ. "He's supposed to be a man of God! He's no different from me or anybody else!" And that is yet another negative consequence for sin in our lives. Pray for your spiritual leaders. Pray for your government leaders. Pray for those in authority over you, because their sins have terrible repercussions for the lives of many. Pray that they will do right and spare us all the disillusionment.
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3 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindThese one minute devotionals are absolutely amazing. In one minute, Rev. Wright causes more thought provoking banter than a lifetime of sermons.
This one brought to my mind two very troubling conflicts. First, we see the obvious story of David as a servant of God and a leader appointed by God. His sin and the cover-up shamed both him and the God he worshiped.
Secondly, I am deeply saddened by the need we have as a society to mock other human beings. David definitely “blew it”. In one twenty-four hour period, this leader and a disciple of God committed numerous horrific sins and plummeted into behavior more expected of a person without knowledge of a God and the commandments taught by that God. His actions gave those who opposed his Christian beliefs enough ammunition to taunt and torture David and his followers for many, many days.
It makes me aware of my obligation as a Christian to walk in such a way that I represent God and myself with honor and dignity. However, it also makes realize how quickly all of us are to take joy and become self-righteous when a fellow Christian or even a non-Christian fails to exemplify the perfection we see in ourselves.
This may be the furthest thought of anyone reading this devotional, but it immediately made me think of our current political situation. No matter who you voted for in the presidential election, I am saddened by the thousands (or millions) of people who participate each day in the critical judgment and degradation of our president. We all have the right (and the privilege) to live in a country where we can openly disagree. I just believe that we’ve got to question when disagreements and productive rhetoric becomes self-righteous, destructive, disrespectful mocking.
I’d love for you to agree, but am more than willing to hear comments and/or even disagreement.
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Yes, report it NevermindI'm not going to get into politics today.
Today's message reminded me of the story of Jim Baker. Do you know who the only prominent "man of God" to visit him in prison was? Billy Graham.
We all have feet of clay. We all need to look at the log in our own eye. We all need to be there to support and encourage a brother or sister who stumbles, or worse.
And yes, we all need to remember that forgiveness doesn't remove the consequenses we must face for our own decisions. God bless. Have a wonderful Sabbath.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI have seen this many times in my life and it can and does tear a church apart if allowed. I agree, in praying for our leaders and reminding those that want to gossip about it, no one is without sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. It's a cross the sinner must bare but the church can remain intact by loving and praying that person through it