GOD'S TOUCHPOINTS - The Reign Of Royalty (PART 3)Намуна

The Falls and Recoveries of David Reaching a new high as king, David’s integrity takes a deep dive and eventually recovers. Shining start as king he - • Forgives Enemy – by avenging Saul’s (2 Samuel 1) and Ishbosheth, Saul’s son’s death (ch 4). He keeps his promise to his friend Jonathan. • Fears the Lord - When Uzzah is struck down for irreverence before the ark of the Lord, David stalls bringing it to the capital to ensure respect for the Lord (ch 6). • Is on Fire for the Lord – When the ark finally is brought to Jerusalem, he is so ecstatic, he dances before it (ch 6). Stunning Fall The fall of David starts long before the actual event/s. The little lapses in his character eventually become huge obstacles. His: • Cover-up of the fact when he lies to Abimelech (1 Sam 21:2) costs lives. This continues with Achish, King of Gath, before whom he feigns madness (1 Sam 27:9-11) and culminates with trying to cover up Bathsheba’s pregnancy – leading to murder of Uriah (2 Sam 11:10). • Carnality leads to covetousness as he multiplies concubines and wives (2 Samuel 5:13). With Abigail (I Sam 25:39-41) after her husband’s death. With Michal (2 Sam 3:14) – while her husband was alive and eventually with Uriah’s wife (2 Sam 11:4) - after causing her husband’s death. His children follow suit to multiplied levels. • Cruelty begins when he is “angry enough to kill” Nabal (2 Sam 25:22, 39) and results in actual murder (2 Sam 11:17). • Census becomes his source of security as he starts numbering the people (2 Sam 24). Stuttering Recovery His sins bring him so low he bites the dust. • God’s Reproval – includes David not being allowed to build the temple (2 Sam 7:13), a perpetual sword in his house (2 Sam 12:10, 16:28), wives public violation (2 Sam 12:11, 16:22), etc. • David’s Response - “It is better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of man.” (2 Samuel 24:14). He focuses on (Ps 38): o His sin, not God’s punishment o His hope, not arguments o His confidence in God’s vindication without doubt • David’s Restoration – His kingdom is established (present and future), he dies in honour immortalized as “man after God’s own heart,” and the benchmark for future kings. If David is vulnerable, we are more! Are we prepared to eradicate the smallest blot in our conscience and stand consistently clean before God?