Sitting Out The War | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 1, 2023

Sitting Out The War | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 1, 2023

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭

When we think of David’s sin with Bathsheba and the fallout thereafter, there is a point at which David could have prevented the whole thing. Certainly the very act itself could have been avoided by David not allowing lust to consume his heart. But 2 Samuel 11:1 is a clear indicator of the point he missed entirely: he should have been at war with his men rather than sitting at home in his palace. The verse is clear that David sent others to go into battle. Whatever the army would face, it would not require his direct leadership (or so he thought). He rested up, stayed home, and sent the rest of Israel. But if he had it all to do over again, he probably would’ve chosen differently.

There are times in our Christian walk when the temptation to “phone it in” and go easy are strong. After all, life in Christ is not always a walk in the park. But just like David avoided the war to his own detriment, avoiding battles can set us up for future pain whatever temporary benefit or pleasure we seek. There was a clear decision on David’s behalf to not go, to not fight. It then put him in a position in which temptation was strong and he fell victim to the enemy’s schemes. The lesson for us? We cannot choose to sit out the war no matter how convenient. We must suit up day after day and rely upon the Lord to give us strength and the ability to stand.

Question for today: Is there any aspect of my life in which I am avoiding a battle today?

Pray: Lord I ask that You would help me face battles head on, with Your power enabling me to stand. Help me not take short-cuts.

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