Daily Devotions - The Consequences of Our Sin.

Psalm 40  (NIV)
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. 14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

 

How do you account for David’s recurring problems?

 

Heavenly Father, King David was Your chosen one. He was a man after Your own heart. But yet throughout his life, he suffered from many troubles and tragedies. After he was anointed King, David was the victim of Saul's jealousy. David was not spared from troubles. It was as if he was being tested, conformed, transformed, and trained as he ran and fought for his life. I can anticipate that there will be troubles in my life too. Lord help me to see when You are transforming me. Allow me to learn what You want me to learn, and grow from adversity and troubles. Once he was made king, David was celebrated and successful in battle. It has been said that absolute power corrupts absolutely. King David became complacent in his duties. He stayed home from battle and was idle. The devil utilized that idle time to tempt David with the wife of one of his soldiers. He used his authority to have his way with her and she became pregnant. Lies cause more lies. Finally, David had Bathsheba's husband killed. Lord, help me to not be complacent and idle. Keep me active in my faithfulness to You. Keep me from pride, and selfishness. Do not let the devil have a foothold in my heart. David did not confess his sins until he was confronted by the prophet Nathan. Even though David repented and You forgave him for his grievous sins, Nathan told him that he would always have trouble. David suffered multiple heartbreaks throughout the rest of his life. Holy God, you are just. Although You forgive, You do not take away the consequences of our sin. I thank You for Your forgiveness and grace that I did not deserve. I realize that You carried the weight of my sins on the cross. When You were resurrected, I was set free from the penalty of my sins. Thank you for the Christian people that You have placed in my life who can recognize when I am off track and help guide me back to the path of faithfulness. Like David, let me reach out to You in worship and praise even through troubles and despair. Great are You Lord. You are my help and my deliverer. Amen