July 31, 2022

July 31, 2022

David: An Imperfect Ride or Die Man of God

David was a man that God called "a man after His own heart." This was quite special, even though David would be a man who would fall into temptation and commit adultery.

God knew David would do that, yet, He kept David in kingship because of a promise to Israel and his repentance (Psalm 51). It was not without hardship in his family from that point on, but David stayed the course.

He stayed on the ride God laid out for him. While a great warrior, David was also tender-hearted and compassionate. I believe one reason he was this way was that he knew that he had failed morally, so how could he be hard and harsh on others?

There are a few lessons we need to think about on our journey with God:

First, we are not perfect, yet when we hear bad news, we can be judgmental and throw out our opinions. Be careful here as someone could easily do that about us. That's not suggesting that we have a long list of issues, but we must remember that we are imperfect, and we can fall as quickly as someone else if we are not careful.

When I was interviewing for the church in Dover, Delaware, where I spent forty years as a pastor, there was a discussion going on with the board members that evening around the table. During the discussion, one of the board members said he would be in Chicago on training for his job at the Dover Air Force Base. One of the other board members said to him, "I do not think I could go and be without my wife and not be tempted by other women."

I was surprised to hear that coming from a board member where I may serve as a pastor! The board member who was going on the trip said something that stuck with me throughout my ministry in Dover, Delaware. He said, "I would hope that I would not make the wrong decision."

Wow!! What a powerful response. He was not saying he would never do it, but that he was going on this trip with a determination not to be unfaithful to his wife. He knew he was human and not perfect, but at the same time, abundantly clear that as men of God, on this ride in life, we have to choose to make the right choices. That's our part, and God does the rest. Guess who became my accountability partner for many years before he went home to be with his wife in heaven? He did. His name was Harold Hall.

Second, find someone who can ride along with you in life to bear your soul if need be. If you are married, your wife can be very supportive, but you need another man in your life. They need you, too.

Finally, stay humble and listen well to others. It was hard on David with some of his family members working against him, but he listened to his advisers. In the multitude of counsel, there is safety.

David made it to the end of the ride God laid out to him. We can do the same thing by keeping in mind that we are not perfect. We stay ahead of temptation by choosing as soon as we leave the house each day to concentrate on making wise decisions. At the same time, have an accountability partner and stay humble.

Enjoy the ride. You have God on your side.

By: Pastor Roland Coon, Retired Pastor and Presbyter, 4One Ministries Board of Directors

Today’s Scripture:  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41, NIV)

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.