Every time I read through KingDavid's story, I am struck at the lessons we can learn. 2 Samuel 15 opens with Absalom- one of David's sons- plotting to take over the kingdom by schmoozing the people. He laments with them, gossips with them, sympathizes with them, and wonders with them how things might be different if he were in control. And this goes on for four years! What is David is doing?!? How can he not know what Absalom is up to for four years? Are there no grumblings, no early warnings, no trusted advisors warning him about what Absalom is up to?
I have a hard time believing that David allows this to go for so long and then is surprised when Absalom’s plan (finally) comes to light. But, King David’s downfall begins with the Bethsheba incident- but not for the adultery- but rather from the observation that he stayed home at the time when kings went to war (2 Samuel 11:1). He failed to keep doing the work of being a king, even though God was on his side.
I sometimes think we take the fact that God is on our side for granted. It is as if we feel we no longer need to do anything since God is on our side. But knowing that God is on our side ought to compel us to work even harder or better, doing all we can to make sure that we don’t squander all God has entrusted to us. Leaders- even spiritual ones- can’t confuse their relationship with God as evidence that they can put their lives, their organizations, and/or their churches on cruise control. I’m willing to bet it took some work and effort to get to the closeness of your relationship with God that you have in the first place, so why would we think that once we get there, we should stop doing those same things?
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