I am not a person who finds change difficult. I see change as exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to find a new career every few months, but I love the progress that change brings. We have a new grocery store opening at the entrance to our subdivision. I could not be more excited. The possibilities are endless. I can imagine warm summer evening walks to the grocery store to buy my favorite carton or two of ice cream. Many in our neighborhood are not happy. There is more traffic, blah blah. Ultimately, they resist something different, which may bring more inconvenience to their lives.
I enjoy change until it affects my character. Parents are given to kids to help form them into responsible adults, while the Holy Spirit is given to believers to help change us into the image of Christ. Which do you think is easier? The process of change is difficult. Giving up our attitudes and opinions is not a natural process. When we throw our sinful natures into the mix, we really have issues. Thank God, He can change our stories.
King David struggled with sin at times in his life. His sin with Bathsheba was perhaps the most grievous. The Fire Bible notes that David broke commandments 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. As is often the case, one bad choice leads to another.
First, David was not where he was supposed to be. Scripture clarifies that David was at home when kings went out to battle.
Second, David allowed His eyes to wander and focus on Bathsheba. Indeed, this would be a natural reaction. We cannot always control what we see, but we cannot allow what we see to control us.
Third, David acted on his lust. Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that we should deal with sin while still in our minds. That way, they never become an action.
Fourth, David sought to hide his sin. He even went so far as to get Uriah drunk to hide Bathsheba’s pregnancy.
Fifth, David’s first sin led to another murder. Not just Uriah’s murder but that of several other innocent soldiers that were loyal to David.
David needed his heart to change. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, he admitted his wrongdoing. He states in 2 Sam 2:13, “I have sinned against the Lord.” David sinned against many people, but above all, he dishonored the name of God.
Coming from this challenging situation, David pens one of my favorite Psalms.
Psalm 51 partially says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.”
This Psalm of repentance and rededication reminds me that Change is Needed. Sometimes, my attitude stinks. Sometimes, I don’t deal with hurt very well. So, I willingly pray, Change my heart, Oh God.” If you ask, He will come and change yours too.
Through Time 