10May16

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan answered, "The Lord has taken away your sin. You will not die."

Sunday I got the chance to preach on the joy of repentance to the congregation here at Camp Stanley out of Psalms 22. Part of the message was understanding the context of the Psalm that was written by David. It was born out of David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. What I mentioned, but didn't have the time to stress is that when we sin, when we do something that brings death into our lives, we have a choice to make. We can repent, pay the cost to our ego, get right with God, and move on... or we can deny it, blame, hide it, and flat out rebel against God. When we choose the second course of action we invite further death into our lives. We think we have gotten away with it but, it just encourages more sin... more death... more shame... But, God doesn't just give us one chance to repent of our sin! He brings us to moments, draws our hearts to it, and enables us to come to a place where we are able to weigh the cost, confess, and bring it to Him.

David had so many opportunities to own up to his sin. But, he didn't. He hid it. He blamed others. He tried to lie, cheat, manipulate, and ultimately murder to cover his sin. The decent into death began when he looked at that woman that did not belong to him. He could have taken the hit to the ego. He could have laid it all down to get right with God. But, that was a fear too great for him. What about the kingdom? What about the scandal? He loved himself and what he had built more than God. You have a choice. Either you can try to cover your sin and God will have to uncover you, or you can uncover your sin and God will cover you. Either way the sin is uncovered... it has to be. That's the only way to freedom.

David, after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, finally admits to his sin against God and suffers grave consequences for it. Worse than if he would have just admitted his wrong right off the bat. But, that's not what we worry about at the moment is it? We worry about the immediate cost. What would it take to bring you that place? Freedom is at hand. Will you admit your wrong and grab it or are you still hiding behind excuses and fear?