Wasted Years

  1. As Christians we go through our lives sometimes without bearing fruits for God. To get an insight, we need to examine the life of David.David was a man after God’s own heart.  But, he committed the sin of adultery that is recorded in 2 Samuel 11. We need to study David’s sin and its consequences. The book of 2 Samuel has 24 chapters. The first ten chapters record the rise of David. Chapter 11 mentions about his sin and the ensuing chapters speak of his downfall. Chapter 11 can be said to be saddest chapter on his life.1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. The world has the lust of flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life since the time of Adam and Eve. They both, did not love righteousness (lust of the flesh), when she saw the fruit that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes) and that it would them wise i.e. like God (pride of life) she ate and gave it to Adam and he ate (Genesis 3:1-6). Satan continues to deceive people even today in the same three areas – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.When David saw Bathsheba bathing (lust of the flesh) and she was very beautiful to behold (lust of the eyes) and he sent messengers and took her as he was the king (pride of life). Sin has its consequences. For a year nothing happened but, sin will always be known. David later, admits his sin but has to face the consequences of his action.  The rest of his life, he had to go through troubles and was never as happy before he sinned. A few moments of pleasure can change your life forever. Admitting sin does not mean there will be no consequences.1 Cor10:11-12 All these things that happened to them are a warning to us. Take heed of what things transpired in David’s life so that we don’t fall in the same manner.  David’s life before sin – he was brave warrior and successfully led the military (1 Sam 13-14).At the age of 30, he was anointed king over Judah. He subdued neighbouring nations. He becomes king over Israel, too. He conquers Jerusalem. God was with him and he grew mighty. He brought the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem and defeated the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites. The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Sam 2).

    Nathan, the prophet goes to David and tell him of his sin. He says ‘the sword will not depart from his house” (2 Sam 2:10). David realized that he had sinned against God (Ps 31:34). Any sin we commit is not primarily against that person but against God. Admitting sin doesn’t mean that there will be no consequence. Sin will pay you back. Sin has a payday. God forgives our sin and removes it as far as the east is from the west. Jesus is referred to as Son of David because David’s sin was forgiven.

    David suffers the consequences of sin for the rest of his life. He spends a life of wasted years – from 50 years to 70 years. The nations had to be subdued before being led to worship the living God. But, David couldn’t do it and wastes his years.

    Consequences that David faced because of his sin:

    1. a) one of his child dies (2 Sam 12:24)
    2. b) Joab rebukes David for not being present at the war with Ammonites and threatens to name the captured city (Rabbah) after himself. Why did Joab have the nerve to thus address his king? Because he knew the sin that David had committed
    3. c) David’s son Amnon rapes Tamar who is David’s daughter (2 Sam 13:12). Tamar remains a desolate barren woman until her death. Why did Amnon have this audacity? Because he was not fearful of his father; David had lost his authority over his family
    4. d) Absalom avenges rape of Tamar; kills Amnon (2 Sam 13:28). David loses second son
    5. e) Absalom publicly disgraces David’s concubines (2 Sam 16:20-22) on the roof of the house – a sin that David had committed secretly, Absalom does publicly.
    6. f) Absalom plots against David and attempts to become king (2 Sam 15:13-14). Absalom is killed in battle. David loses his third son
    7. g) David took a census of his people which God said not to do. A plague strikes he people and around 70,000 people die (2 Sam 24:1-17)
    8. h) Adonijah rebels against his father, David. Joab betrays David by supporting him. Solomon kills them both (1 Kings 1)

    Sin is destructive; but Jesus has come to forgive our sins and restore us.“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10) Jesus came to set us free. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John1:9) He forgives us our sin and delivers us from its consequences. However, if in sinning you have broken the law of the land, you will tried according to the law.

    When you sin, you certainly transgress God’s commandment, you may or may not break the law of the land. If you commit murder and you repent, God has forgiven you your sin, but having broken the law of the land you need to face the consequences of your transgression. On the other hand, if you have looked at a woman with lustful eyes, you have broken God’s commandment on adultery but there is no law of the land that you have violated. So when you repent, God forgives you and restores you fully with no consequences. Also, as you have not broken any law of the land there is no consequence

    It may take you longer to reconcile with your sin than God who forgives you instantly when you repent. In the meantime, before you accept that God has forgiven you, you may be traumatized and at times even, demonized with the thought of the sin’s gravity. So, there is some wasted time because it may take a while to accept that God has forgiven you.

    You need to renew your mind. When you repent of your sin, you are actually forgiven and restored by God but can you believe it? That same sin does come aback to a person, but that person may transgress in the same area afresh. 

                                                                           

This Message was shared by  John Esteevs  on 26th February 2017

Join to newsletter.

Curabitur ac leo nunc vestibulum.

If you want to know more about us.

Call us today at (0832) 2445565

We love to meet with  you.