2 Samuel
12:18-23
18 And it came to pass on
the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell
him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet
alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he
then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
19 But when David saw that his servants whispered,
David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his
servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and
anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house;
and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is
this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was
alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I
fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may
live?
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can
I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
(Re-)Dedication
When we go through the King James version of the Bible, you don't
find the word 're-dedication' but I can see it in the passage above. I
come back to this passage often in my own study and especially when the issue
of re-dedication is brought up.
In the account, David has stolen the wife of one of his captains.
When she comes up pregnant, David has the captain killed in battle.
The story is more complicated than what I've just recounted and I hope
you'll choose to go back and read the full telling.
Anyway, when his scheming and plotting are uncovered, God reminds
David of just how much he had been given and what the cost will be for his
selfishness and other crimes. The baby's life is part of the penalty.
As I said, this is the passage that comes to my mind
whenever churches or individuals start talking about re-dedication or
re-dedicating back to God. Mostly because of how David handled this
situation. David had the perfect situation where he could hide his
own self pity in the justifiable grief of losing his son. No one would
have known that he would have been feeling sorry for himself. Everyone
would have assumed that he was just grieving the baby, not his own misconduct.
But David, who's heart was focused on pleasing God even when his
mind and body had other ideas, didn't wallow in self pity at what he had done.
Once the child was gone, there was nothing to do but go back to serving
God; he had to go back and be the king God had designed him to be
regardless of what had transpired and what he had done. And that is re-dedication
at it's essence.
Part of the problem with sin especially for the believer is that
the guilt can be crippling. When we picture the reward of our
disobedience in the light of the sacrifice of Christ, it is easy to be so
consumed with self-pity over what we've done that we become paralyzed.
However, we have to remember, like all good soldiers, that the mission is
still the important thing.
Beloved, we need to be more like David. When we are
disobedient (and let's face it, anything against Christ is disobedience), let's
just stop. Let's not give in to the guilt, but let's not try to justify
our disobedience either. Just stop. Turn. Get back to
obedience.
Will there be consequences? Yep. Will they be
unpleasant. Yep. We reap what we sow and God chastens whom he
loves. But, that statement works for obedience too. When we sow
obedience, we reap the rewards of obedience. And aren't they worth some
temporary grounding?
Leave guilt and shame and self-pity with the sin. The
penalty has been paid and we've been forgiven. The time is now and the
day is today to choose, like David, to get up, clean up and go on in the
purpose and plans of the Father. It isn't always easy, but it is always
right. There is nothing in disobedience that even compares to the rewards
of obedience. Nothing.
So, I invite any who choose to join us at Fellowship this Sunday
to dedicate or re-dedicate yourselves back to God. Join us in laying
aside selfish desires and guilt and shame and picking up the yoke of an
obedient walk. We'll walk with you and encourage you as we all follow
Jesus. Won't you come?
John 10:22-30
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast
of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in
Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him,
and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ,
tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you,
and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness
of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are
not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is
greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship
Church in
Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message.
The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline
Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous
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Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because You Are a Chosen Generation
455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Between GA Hwy 85
and US 19/41
Across from EJ Swint
Elementary School
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