THE SWORD SHALL NEVER DEPART from your house. I think often we idolize king David because he was a man after God’s own heart. He slayed the giant in great faith and with mighty courage. He destroyed the Lord’s enemies and united the kingdoms. He wrote most of the psalms and displayed a heart that cried out to God. He most definitely sought the Lord. But his heart became lifted up and he sinned against the Lord. David repented; yet he received a harsh sentence.
The life of David reveals to us that we can live fully forgiven by God, yet still suffer the consequences of our sin,“Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.””II Samuel 12:10, 13-14 NKJV
In this day of sloppy grace and licentious love, people get a wrong and false understanding of the Almighty. Because God is merciful, you believe you can sin without consequences. This is a lie. You can most definitely be forgiven for all sin, even gross sin (not including blasphemy for the Holy Spirit); and still suffer the consequences of that sin. God’s Word declares, ”the wages of sin is death”. Ultimately, if you die holding on to your sin; death means eternal separation. But neglect your marriage and have an affair and you will receive death to your marriage. Lie, steal and cheat your customers and you can fall down before a holy God and be forgiven; yet still suffer death in your business.
Most people don’t want to do business with a liar. Hit a spouse in anger and you could wind up with a criminal record. Just one time, one indiscretion, one lapse of reasoning, get in the wrong car with a drunk driver just one time and it can change the course of your life. There are consequences for the disobedient. God is so good and so faithful to give us warnings and because He is good and desires the best for His people, the Bible gives various warnings about foolishness and sin.
God is holy and a holy God has to punish sin. He is a just God. Sin destroys lives. Paul tells the Corinthian church, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” I Cor 10:12 In other words, be on your guard at all times. To another church, Paul writes, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”Galatians 6:7-8 And again, we are warned. The wages of sin is death.
Back to David, he paid for his sin the rest of his life. “The sword shall never depart from your house.” Was he forgiven? Most definitely. He repented in sack cloth and ashes. Was he restored to relationship with the Lord? Yes. Was he loved by God? Of course! Take note! Sin has consequences. You are not saved from your consequences. Grace does not mean you got away with something.
There are things that you can and will pay dearly for. Guard your heart, be mindful of what you see and hear. Put a piece of tape over your mouth. Flee idolatry and sexual immorality. Keep your hands clean and your heart pure. Cling to Jesus. Rest in His arms and draw from His strength. Pray for deliverance from temptation- for He always provides a way out. Listen to the Spirit and obey His every unction. Bad company corrupts good morals. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
