Devotionals for April 15, 2024
Our next Water Baptisms will be on May 19th. If you're ready to publicly declare your faith in Jesus, click THIS LINK to sign up!
READ
1 SAMUEL 11:1-5
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
ROMANS 3:23
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
ROMANS 3:23
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
REFLECT
This week, let’s take a look at a man who got off track. A man who was known by the title "a man after God’s own heart.” We will see that his choices led to some tough outcomes. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and sin gripped ahold of his heart, leading him down a path of destruction. One bad choice led to another bad choice. His life was starting to lean in the wrong direction.
Instead of turning to God to repent and get things right, he opted to make the next wrong choice, hoping to somehow cover his tracks. That should be a red flag immediately. In our sinful natures, we tend to opt for the easy road. Covering up sins and going deeper in the effects of them, but as we will see in the coming devotions, that path doesn’t end well. God wants our hearts. He wants us to come to Him when we fall short of His glory. You get to decide how far down you go on the sin path, the further you go the harder it is to turn around. Let’s learn from David this week and see how we can go after God’s best for us.
Instead of turning to God to repent and get things right, he opted to make the next wrong choice, hoping to somehow cover his tracks. That should be a red flag immediately. In our sinful natures, we tend to opt for the easy road. Covering up sins and going deeper in the effects of them, but as we will see in the coming devotions, that path doesn’t end well. God wants our hearts. He wants us to come to Him when we fall short of His glory. You get to decide how far down you go on the sin path, the further you go the harder it is to turn around. Let’s learn from David this week and see how we can go after God’s best for us.
APPLY
Q: Where have you let sin grip your heart?
Q: Is there something you need to repent of and make right with the Lord?
Q: Who can you remind that sin has consequences, but God promises life to those who turn to Him and chase His direction for their life?
Q: Is there something you need to repent of and make right with the Lord?
Q: Who can you remind that sin has consequences, but God promises life to those who turn to Him and chase His direction for their life?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Dear Father God, You alone are holy. I’m sorry for the times I have fallen short of your best for me. Please help me to get on track with your plan for my life!
Dear Father God, You alone are holy. I’m sorry for the times I have fallen short of your best for me. Please help me to get on track with your plan for my life!