Rick Barton, Fire Safety Officer; Rick Barton Ministries, Gunnison, CO; Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International Ambassador-at-Large

YOU’RE THE MAN!

Are you the friend or the one on the edge?

The man was a legend in the fire business. His expertise was respected far and wide. Only one thing was wrong, he was treading dangerously close to losing his marriage, family, and integrity through an inappropriate relationship. Sound familiar? You’re his friend, not a close friend, but someone he may listen to. What should you do?

In the Bible a prophet named Nathan faced that dilemma (2 Samuel 12:1–14), except his stakes were much higher. If his friend, the king, didn’t like to have his sin pointed out to him, then Nathan would die. Still, Nathan realized he had a duty, both to his friend and, more importantly, to God. So he went. After telling King David of a man who had betrayed his neighbor, David replied that the man was guilty and deserved to be put to death. Nathan then looked David in the eye and said, “You’re the man.”

Nathan had a choice: take the safe route and say nothing; or risk rejection, and even death, and speak God’s Word.

David also had a choice: humble himself, repent, and ask for forgiveness from God and man; or—the ungodly way—kill Nathan. Of course if he killed Nathan he still had God to worry about. David made the right choice. He repented. His testimony is in Psalm 32:1–7.

All of us are in that picture, one way or another. We’re either the man who’s on the edge of sin or the friend who needs to talk to him. God loves us and doesn’t want us going down a road that will destroy us. So, he sends us a message. Usually it’s through the counsel of another person, although it might be through a traffic stop, radio program, or other means. The point is, will we listen, turn from sin, and return to God?

Prayer:

What an awesome God you are! Thank you for forgiving my sins, for those you place in my life to help me make godly choices, that I can pray to you, and that you may be found. You are my hiding place and protection from trouble.